Now serving full-time with the Belfast City Mission, Ahoghill couple Paul and Lorraine McCaw have been working with the Mission in Belfast since July, alongside their young sons, Cameron and Caleb.
In the article which follows, they reveal a little about how God has been using and blessing them in our province’s capital city.
Paul and Lorraine write:
We give all the praise, glory and honour to God, over these past few months, for giving us the strength, in our weakness, to serve in Mayo Street Belfast City Mission Hall. We have been very blessed within our work. Beginning with the Sunday School, which was well established, we have over 20 attending each Sunday afternoon. The teachers there have been very dedicated in their service and are glad to have new help on board. Kids Club, which we began, has over 40 attending each week, which is really fantastic, even though it is a bit crazy at times!!! We have a short Bible talk, games, craft and tuck shop each week. Our good friend Aaron Smyth and our son Cameron, along with one of the parents, Michael, help each week with that work. We then began a ‘Mums And Young Ones’ in October and have 12 regular kids and carers. Joanne, whose children attend Sunday School and Kids Club, offered to help us on a Tuesday morning, which we really appreciate. God’s love is being shown in a practical way to these children and parents, with friendships being built up, which is how we begin to reach the people in this area of Belfast. We are so pleased at the attendance at all these new ventures, but know it was God’s will to do them and are honoured to serve Him. We also have amalgamated the Prayer meeting and Bible Study into one evening, on a Thursday, with most of the 12 regulars attending. Numbers are small on a Sunday evening, but we have had 2 new people join since we began, so that is a start!
Over the Christmas period we have had many different parties and events. We had a Christmas dinner on Thursday 4th December 2015 which was enjoyed by everyone who attended. On Saturday 12th December 2015, we held the annual Sunday School Christmas Party which is attended by children and parents. It was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves, especially the food and Santa!!! Then on Sunday 13th December 2015 we had the annual Sunday School Christmas Service where the children all took part. This year we did a Christmas Alphabet Nativity which is something new. Everyone dressed up and parents and friends joined with us. It was so lovely to see a full house. On Sunday 20th December 2015 we held a ‘Carols by Candlelight Service’ at 6.00pm. Can we personally thank our friends in Trinity Girls’ Brigade, Senior section, for making us gifts to give out at our ‘Christmas Dinner’ and ‘Carols by Candlelight’ Service.
Pastoral work has also been ongoing, with many challenges along the way, but we thank God that He has provided the words to say and the ability to deal with the various situations we find ourselves involved with these days.
We look forward now to a wee break over Christmas, to spend time with our boys, family and friends. Can we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and may you know God’s blessings in the year ahead.
Praise Points
Give praise and thanks to God for those who support us in many different ways. We are so indebted to these people!
Praise God for calling and equipping us in our work for Belfast City Mission.
Praise God that Cameron has settled well into Cambridge House.
Praise God for His provision for us, as a family in so many wonderful ways!
Prayer Points
Please pray for the children who attend our Kids Club and Sunday School, that as Gods’
word is heard, a seed might be planted and grow in their young lives.
Please pray for dear people who are struggling with issues, especially at Christmas time.
Please pray that families would be happy to join us at our Sunday Service
For more information on the Belfast City Mission log on to our website here.
