The Balmoral Show is the oldest and largest agriculture show in Northern Ireland dating back to 1855. Over a period of four days there were 26 members from the various branches in Region 10 who supported the distribution and we were blessed with wonderful weather this year and the sunshine brought huge crowds of people from across the whole country of Ireland and beyond.
Many people thanked us for our presence, our ministry and some recalled getting their red Testaments when in year 8 at school – how good it is to always hear of the blessing of these little Testaments after many years. The Badged Testaments with wheat sheaf, and those with the shamrock are always popular at such an event.
Feedback from the team has been positive with many good conversations reported, among the contacts this year were
- a Roman Catholic couple from the South of Ireland who were amazed that they could receive a free Bible and be allowed to take it away with them
- a Muslim family showed interest, chatted and received a Testament
- a group of young people in year 9 who expressed thanks for the red Testaments they were presented last year
- many young people who scanned the QR code with their smart phones giving them access to many translations and languages
- a lady who requested 20 Bibles for the rooms in her Airbnb
- some visiting church leaders who were impressed with the stand and the available resources
- many of the people on the stands of the other exhibitors in the exhibition hall
Over the 4 days of the show we distributed 1,095 Testaments, just over 1,400 Magazines (Hope, Explore, Discover) and 700 QR codes.
We thank God for this ongoing opportunity to engage and present God’s Word to many needy people and we pray that God will water all the seed sown bringing about a bountiful harvest in the coming days.