Tribute

My tribute to my wonderful husband Peter
This is my tribute to my husband Peter. I met Peter in 1955 and our first date was on the 5th November 1955 when we went to a service at Pisgah Chapel, Kenfig Hill. Pastor Hywel Griffiths then pastor Of Litchard Mission was the speaker. I remember clearly the fireworks and the bangs going off while he was speaking. We were both Christians, I became a Christian in March 1955 through the witness of a young people’s group in Aberkenfig and Peter became a Christian in the early fifties. Peter loved books and was an avid book collector and reader from an early age. After reading and researching many religions, cults and denominations for a long time in his search for the truth, a man at work used to talk to him about his Lord and Saviour and Peter was very interested. He was invited to a service at The Gospel Hall ,Bridgend when the speaker spoke on John 3 v16 and he was gloriously saved. That was the turning point in his life and he never waivered in his love for the Lord Jesus and what the Bible taught. He studied and read the Bible every day and was a great man of prayer and he was a great helpmeet to me.
The night of our first date is very memorable – we caught the bus back to Aberkenfig from Kenfig Hill (we didn’t have a car in those days). He took me home but before I went in, we decided to go for a walk along the riverbank called Skipperty Goch. I was a very shy seventeen year old and Peter was my first and only boyfriend. Peter surprised me by saying that he knew that one day we would be husband and wife. Imagine my surprise and the only answer I gave was “I am only 17”. but we both knew, even then, that our lives were meant to be together and that God had answered both our prayers. We courted for nearly three years, getting engaged a year later and marrying on the 19th July 1958.
Peter was the love of my life and every day he told me he loved me and thanked the Lord for bringing us together all those years ago. We had a very happy marriage and Peter was the same at home as he was outside with other people. He loved his family, his daughters, grandchildren and great grand daughter.
Our first daughter Karen was born on the 2nd July 1962 and he was thrilled to be a father of a beautiful auburn haired baby girl. We had to wait seven and half years for our second daughter and eventually our prayers were answered and Christine was born on the 31st December 1969 another beautiful baby girl and our family was complete. He was a good loving husband and father and eventually a grandfather and a great grandfather. David was our first grandchild and David called him grandpops and this name stuck.
Each day we would have a time of prayer and Bible reading together. I think everybody knew Peter’s love of books which were mainly Christian and he was still buying books until recently. He had a library of over 5000 books in the attic room which we had converted into a room to contain his many books. In the end he couldn’t climb the ladder into the loft and when he wanted to read a certain book I would go up and he could tell me exactly in which bookcase and shelf I could find the book. I wasn’t allowed to tidy up the books as I used to put them in the wrong place.
He was a man of great principles of what the Bible taught and he knew his Bible so well and he lived his life by those principles.
He was my rock and support and it has been a privilege to have been married to such a loving, gentle, spiritual man for nearly 54 years. Looking back on times of happiness and sadness I can thank God for giving me Peter and I know that he is now with his Lord and Saviour and he has his reward. I have such a lot of happy memories of our time together and I have lost a wonderful husband and friend.
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Fellowship Holiday to Bournemouth – 18th – 22nd July 2011
As on previous occasions Peter and I booked a holiday with Bridgens Christian Tours staying at The Durley Dean Hotel, Bournemouth from Monday 18th July to Friday 22nd July 2011. Originally we were booked for the “Bay View Hotel” but because of bad reviews the Coach Company rebooked us to a better hotel.


Monday 18th July 2011 arrived at last, the weather forecast was rather mixed with cloud, a little rain and sunshine but despite a little rain it didn’t affect our getting around and enjoying the holiday. As on previous occasions we were being picked up from our home at approximately 9.45am. Pauline, Peter and Shirley were joining us and they arranged to park their cars at our home for the time we were away.
At last the big Edwards blue coach arrived – on previous occasions we always had Diamond Coaches but Edwards have now taken over the company. We found our allotted seats and we were instructed by Peter B to move down two rows each day. In total we were 38 in the group. The driver’s name was John Llewellyn (the same driver we had on our previous holiday to Torquay in May) and he was the most careful and helpful driver we have ever had. It was lovely renewing friendship and fellowship with those we have met on previous holidays also to meet others who had joined the group for the first time. We were sad to hear that Peter and Joyce were unable to join the group as Joyce was in hospital having an operation. The time on the coach passed very quickly and soon we arrived at Leigh de-la-mare Services for our coffee break.


The diary of the holiday follows:
Monday 18th July 2011 – After being picked up from our home at 24 Litchard Cross, Bridgend we started on our journey to Bournemouth, the first stop was at Leigh De-la-mare Services for a welcome cup of coffee and soon we were on our way once again. We arrived in Bournemouth at 2.15 pm and John stopped the coach at Hinton Road just opposite Keith Jones Christian Books where Peter D. spent two hours browsing and buying more books and I went to look at the many shops Bournemouth has to offer. Bournemouth also boasts beautiful gardens and beaches but unfortunately the weather wasn’t good enough to enjoy these amenities on this particular day. We arrived at “The Durley Dean Hotel” at 5.00pm and we were all issued with our room keys. Peter and I were given the key to room 111 which was on the ground floor and the only access being through the restaurant. Our room was very spacious with a double and two single beds together with a big bathroom with the requested “walk-in-shower”, bath etc. We were very pleased with the bedroom which was clean and bright.
The evening meal was at 6.30pm which was partly buffet style and we had a choice of menu for the main meal which was selected at the hot counter. For the starter and dessert we had to order with the waitress. Usually the first night is free but as the weather was inclement it was decided to hold the evening service.

We were given a lovely room in the basement of the hotel which suited our needs admirably. The meeting was led by Peter B. and several of the group took part. Pauline read her poem about the 400th centenary of the King James Bible which had been published in the Porthcawl Seaside News magazine. Robert (Hughes) spoke about the Sarum Missal and he handed out a prayer to us which is included in The Sarum Missal (Sarum is the name for Salisbury) He spoke about each aspect of the prayer.
God be in my head, and in my understanding
God be in my eyes, and in my looking.
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.
God be in my heart, and in my thinking:
God be at my end, and in my departing.
Tuesday 19th July 2011 – Peter and my 53rd Wedding Anniversary.
This was a special day for Peter and myself as we remembered our wedding all those years ago. After an early breakfast at 7.00 a.m (Peter and I were the “early birds” for breakfast every morning) After breakfast I enjoyed the walk across the downs on the West Cliff.


At 9.30 a.m we had our morning devotions and the speaker was Ron (Thomas). His Scripture reading was from James 5: 13-18.
1. Elijah was human just as we are. God is willing and ready to answer our prayers, which can be as effective as Elijah’s. Don’t allow victories to be turned into despair by the opposition.
2. Our prayers are important to God, as we show our weaknesses and are ready to receive God’s help.
At 10.00am we were on the coach ready for our first excursion – We made our way to Swanage via the ferry-this was very interesting as we watched John manoeuvre the large coach onto the ferry and soon we were on the other side in Swanage.


Peter B and Mair managed to travel on the steam train which took them as far as Corfe Castle but the rest of the party had a look around the shops and enjoyed the beach etc. In the afternoon we went to Poole, famous for Poole Pottery. The pottery is still made near the quay and the showroom is open to the public. From the quay we could see Brownsea Island where Lord Baden- Powell had the first Scouts camp in 1907.It is now a National Trust Island. After an hour or so looking around Poole we were back on the coach again and it was then decided to go to Christchurch. On arriving at Christchurch the coach was too heavy to negotiate the bridge into the town so John tried another way but this bridge was too low so in the end he parked the coach near the water where we spent a little time looking at the beautiful setting with the boats, ducks and one swan but soon it was time to return to the coach when it started raining. You could say this was a “very very brief visit to Christchurch”



After the evening meal, the evening service was about the hymns of John Newton. This was very interesting singing these old and ever new hymns. Marion was the narrator explaining about the hymns. We all enjoyed singing John Newton’s hymns. Amazing Grace is the most popular and well known.
Wednesday 20th July 2011 – After an early breakfast the morning devotion was taken by Pauline. She read Psalm 129 – She mentioned about a mobile phone and sometimes we can’t get a signal but we can always be in touch with God when we pray. Pauline mentioned about Daniel and his friends and when they prayed God answered their prayers. We all know the account of Daniel in the lions’ den and the three young men in the fiery furnace. There was a fourth figure being the Son of Man.
This morning we made our way to Dorchester market – this is a huge market which fortunately was undercover as it began to rain. As we were approaching Dorchester we could see signposts for Tolpuddle and there is a museum about the Tolpuddle martyrs who were farm workers and wanted to start a Union. Tolpuddle is a village and parish on the River Trent or Piddle, it is 7 miles north east from Dorchester. These days it is famous for being the birthplace of the Tolpuddle Martyrs when six farm workers who had a wage of nine shillings a week tried to establish a trade union. They were arrested, convicted and sent to Australia where they were badly treated. After a number of years their sentence was commuted and they returned to Britain-later they emigrated to Canada and started a new lives there. The parish church is a stone and flint building dedicated to St John. In Victorian times there was in the village a post office, a small Wesleyan chapel and a National School constructed in 1857.
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The afternoon was spent at Weymouth. We had a few hours in this lovely seaside town which has beautiful golden sands and they are famous for the sand sculptures which are found on the beach.
John then took us to Chesil beach which is the longest beach in Britain being 18 miles long which is in the Isle of Portland. Portland is unique and unusual, connected to the mainland at Abbotsbury by Chesil Beach.
Then we went to Portland Bill where there is a visitor’s centre and the lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in the country.


The evening devotion was a “Musical evening” when many of the group took part .Peter B sang a very well known hymn accompanied by his accordion. The Neath contingent sang “Living He loved me, dying He saved me”,Llew also sang a solo. there was a Welsh choir from Llanelli and they sang “Bendigedig fyddo’r Iesu” with gusto and we all joined in whether we spoke or understood Welsh or not. The “3 M’s”, Marion, Muriel and Marina sang a beautiful hymn. The evening finished with Esther a retired missionary from Nigeria reliving her life in an African village where she started a Sunday school and Church with the help of a newly converted young man aged 16 called Joseph. She recounted the story of Alice who prayed earnestly for a baby. Eventually her prayer was answered and she had a beautiful baby but sadly the baby died during a measles epidemic. Alice was a believer in the Lord Jesus and wouldn’t have anything to do with witchcraft and curses. All the other mothers went to the witchdoctor and their babies lived but still Alice would not blame god. She prayed again and she had a baby girl. When the baby girl was two years old, Alice took ill and she told everybody she was going home to her Father in Heaven. When she died the witchdoctor had to admit that he had not put a curse on Alice because her testimony about her Heavenly Father was so real to her that he knew his curses were useless.
Thursday 21st July – The last full day in Bournemouth. After breakfast the morning devotion was taken by Moelwyn. The Scripture reading was from 1 John 1 – the key word in this chapter is “fellowship” with God the Father and fellowship with Jesus and fellowship with one another. John in this chapter is concerned about our spiritual life and gives us instructions for Christians that we must hold fast and persevere. Once again we are back on the coach and John (the driver) takes us through the New Forest and onto Lyndhurst (capital town of the New Forest). After spending a short time in this lovely town we make our way to Salisbury. Our first port of call is Salisbury Cathedral where we had something to eat. As we didn’t have much time Peter and I didn’t go into the Cathedral as we have been there a few times before. On the last occasion we went to see the Magna Carta which was fascinating. M agna Carta (Latin for 'great charter') was sealed by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. Known as the Great Charter of English Liberties, it formed a peace treaty with barons who were in revolt against the King due to his disastrous foreign policy and arbitrary government.


We arrive back in Bournemouth at approximately 3.00pm and those wishing to spend a little time in the centre for more shopping were dropped off in town and we with others who wished to go back to hotel stayed on the coach and spent time relaxing before the evening meal. The last evening devotions were led by Peter B where he gave opportunity for favourite hymns to be sung. Then Kitty (your’s truly) gave a devotion called “The Lord’s CV”. Robert spoke about harvesting his parsnips and about sowing seeds, watering (prayer) and God giving the increase. What you have done in the past whether it’s being a Sunday school teacher, personal Evangelism will reap a harvest perhaps many years later.
Friday 22nd July 2011 (Homeward bound)
After an early breakfast and finishing our packing, the cases were deposited in the reception for John to load up the coach ready for our journey home. Kitty (your’s truly) gave the devotions on “What’s in a Name” and spoke about the meaning of names and brought in that the most precious name is that of the Lord Jesus. The Scripture reading was from Phill 2 verses 9-11. Verse 10 reads –That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and one earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Soon we were on the coach starting our journey home – there was a short toilet stop at Shaftesbury and the lunch stop was in Bath. This is a very busy city with lots of tourists. Joyce (Burley) was the first to be dropped off at the Cardiff West Services and the next stop was HOME and it is always wonderful to stop outside our own little house where Pauline, Shirley and Peter R and ourselves left the group. We arrived home at 4.30pm Looking back on the holiday which we enjoyed immensely especially the fellowship and friendship of God’s people.
few photos taken during the holiday



Written by Kitty Delahay – July 2011

News

. The word Gospel means Good News. When I think of the word news the initials N.E.W.S. stands for North, East, West and South.The initials spell News. So NEWS comes from all around the world.

These days there is so much bad news. We only have to read the newspapers or watch the news on the TV and it seems to be all about bad news. Wars, terrorism, suicide bombers, pedophiles, anti- social behavior, earthquakes, uprisings etc. .I think we are all interested in the news-at the moment it’s all about Libya, before that it was the uprising in Egypt and other Islamic countries where they have a dictator ruling the country. Only a few weeks ago we were very concerned about the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand. Every day there is always bad news but occasionally there’s good news. At the end of this month we will all be watching the Royal wedding of William and Catherine.

The other day my daughter Karen sent us a copy of the Times Newspaper dated 26th April 1926 – that will be 85 years ago this month. On reading this newspaper I realized that something happened on that day that changed our lives and Britain. On page 17 of The Times there were some good news. Just a very small paragraph stating that the Duchess of York had given birth to a baby daughter named Elizabeth. Now 85 years later, she is still our Queen and she has been reigning since February 6th 1952 .In February 1952 her father King George 6th died suddenly in his sleep. He had been ill for some time but when the end came it was a shock to the nation. Princess Elizabeth (heir to the throne was on a state visit to South Africa with her husband Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh). She was 26 years of age and now she was Queen of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. She returned home immediately. The coronation was good news when she promised to serve God and her subjects and I remember that day very well as it was my 15th birthday – 2nd June 1953. Months of planning had gone into this grand ceremonial event. When the day arrived all children had a day’s holiday and most children were given mugs to commemorate the event. As I was in a private school we were not given any mugs so my parents bought me a Coronation New Testament which I treasured. Down the years I think she has done a very good job. I don’t think Prince Charles would do such a good job as he says He is going to be Defender of Faiths. The Queen declared that she was the Defender of the Faith – The Christian Faith.

Amongst my mother’s treasures in a wooden box, I found when we were clearing out my mother’s bungalow after her death, was another newspaper cutting and it changed my life for ever. It was an announcement that Peter and I were engaged. Also our wedding photograph was in the Glamorgan Gazette and I found this cutting in the box as well.

I want us now to use a bit of sanctified imagination this afternoon – We are going to imagine - What if they had newspapers in Bible days – what would we have read in the newspapers so let’s take a little sanctified peep at those headlines on the front page and perhaps tiny paragraphs on page 17 of their newspapers. For today I am going to be the reporter on the “Judean Times” and The Bethlehem Gazette and the Jerusalem Post. When I was at school studying shorthand and typing my ambition at that time was to be a reporter but my ambition never materialized.

The first headline in the Jerusalem Post was as follows - it is dated 1BC. The headlines read EVERYBODY MUST BE TAXED and must register at the city of their birth.

There was going to be a general census of the whole population in Judea and the surrounding countries and everyone had to register at their district headquarters in order to be taxed. Just like we have had to do recently but we only had to fill out the census form and send it back in a s.a.e which is a lot easier than what they had to do in Bible days. A lot of people today are very concerned about their family tree. They go hunting on the internet and join Family History clubs to find out about their past. My maiden name was Morgan so I assume my ancestors came from this part of the country, probably Glamorgan. On the news a little while ago it was stated that Tredegar House, Newport was originally owned by the Morgan family so perhaps I came from that part of the Morgan family. So I am Welsh through and through. Peter’s ancestors probably came from France with a name like Delahay. Peter’s grandmother was a Stradling and Peter’s full name is P.D.S.Delahay. We can trace the Stradlings back to St.Donats Castle or as it is now called Atlantic College where there was a Sir Edward Stradling in residence .Later according to history he was executed for treason or some other offence. Anyway Peter’s forebears seem to be more exciting than mine. A little while ago my sister Glenys and I joined a Family History society in Aberkenfig to trace our mother’s forebears-we managed to go back a few generations and then we got stuck and that was the end of our search.

Anyway back to the Bible days newspapers. Joseph knew his family tree and he could trace it back to King David. 14 generations. We read about that in Matthew 1- verses 1-17 the generation of Jesus the son of David. In verse 17 we read So all the generations from Abraham to David are 14 generations and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are 14 generations and unto Christ are 14 generations.

Joseph who was engaged to Mary was of the lineage and household of David so they had to register at Bethlehem. They had to travel probably by donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I think it is about 10 miles. It would have taken them a few days to get there especially as Mary was heavenly pregnant at the time.

In Luke 2 we read: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the entire world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own City, So Jospeph would have heard about the decree that everyone had to go to his own City to be taxed.

The next Newspaper headlines perhaps The Bethlehem Gazette

“Baby boy born in a stable because there was no room for them at the inn,”
The stable was probably a very dirty place with all the animals. and shepherds go to visit the new born baby. The shepherds state that angels told them that a baby boy was born in the town of Bethlehem and that he was the son of God.

In Luke 2 v6 and 7

In v 8 – 17. So the shepherds must have be so excited that they probably were talking about the event for days and probably informed the newspaper-The Bethlehem Gazette of that great event which had taken place in Bethlehem.

Two years later – a star appears in the sky above Bethlehem and wise men from the East go the palace of Herod as they are looking for a King. Herod is afraid that another king would come and depose him so he orders that all baby boys under 2 should be killed. Imagine that headline – Massacre in Bethlehem – all baby boys under 2 are killed.

We read about that in Matthew 2 v 7 and 16. Verse 7 Then Herod when he had privily called the wise men inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. V 16: Then herod when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
The wise men find the child Jesus in a house and they bring him gifts of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

In the meantime Joseph has a dream in which an angel appears to him and tells him to take Mary and the baby and flee to Egypt. So Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee from Herod to Egypt.

We don’t hear anymore about Jesus until he was 12. The Headlines this time would read “Parents look for missing boy and find him in the Temple teaching the Rabbis and learned men. He also says He is about His Father’s business”.

Mary and Joseph must have been very concerned when they couldn’t find Jesus with the others boys as they traveled back to Galilee from Jerusalem. But what a relief when they find him in the temple teaching the older rabbis and learned men. He had first hand knowledge because he said He was about His Father’s business.

There must have been other headlines during the ministry of Jesus which would read something like this:

“ A man from Galilee has a group of men around him and he is healing the sick, raising the dead and releasing those with demonic spirits”.
There would be accounts of Jesus’ Ministry, healing the sick, feeding thousands of people with just loaves and fishes, walking on the water and all the miracles etc which He preformed during His three years of ministry.,
The next headlines would be when Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a donkey. All the people cut palm leaves and waved them said “Hosanna to the son of David”
The headlines would be in the Jerusalem Times - “A man called Jesus rides through the streets on a donkey and people wave palms as He passes by”

The next headlines would be about the capture of Jesus and the kiss that Judas gives – his trial and finally his crucifixion. There would be front page headlines on the Sunday morning when Jesus’ body disappears from the tomb and it is stated by Mary and the other women that they have seen him and that he is alive. This is really good news.
The headlines would be “Jesus, King of the Jews, rises from the dead so say His friends”

The next headlines would be on the day of Pentecost when 120 were gathered in the upper room and the Holy Spirit falls on them like tongues of fire. They are all baptized in the Holy Spirit and they all speak with other tongues. Everyone could understand them in their own languages. Acts 2
The headlines would read:
“People speak in different tongues as everybody understands in their own languages”

So the life of Jesus and His death and resurrection would be headline news or do you think it would have been some small paragraph on page 17.. Some people believed what was written but others didn’t. The disciples were persecuted and many of them killed. We read all these things in The Bible

The final headlines I want to tell you about is when Jesus returns for His Church – all those who love and serve him as Saviour and Lord. Can you imagine the Headlines? The final headlines haven’t happened yet. The headlines would be something like this

“Millions of people disappear-aircrafts crash as the pilots disappears, cars are left without drivers and industry comes to halt as many people vanish into thin air”. What do you think this is all about.

We read about this in Matthew 24 vs 37 – 44
Also 1 Thessalonians 5 vs..13-18.
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep,
16. For the Lord himself shall descent from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught uyp together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Jesus said He was coming back for His Bride, the Church of Christ and he tells of all the prophecies which must come to pass before He returns. If you read the Bible you will realize and most of these prophecies have already happened so Jesus could return at any moment. The Bible says He will come in a twinkling of an eye and all the born again believers- Christians will be caught up to meet him in the air and so they will ever be with him in Heaven..

But what about the people who are left behind especially when they read the Headlines in the morning newspapers “Millions disappear – where have they gone?”.

Are you ready this afternoon to meet with the Saviour who died for you and arose from the dead. He died for your sins and you can be set free and know the full assurance that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour so should that day come when Jesus returns you will not have to read the headlines “Millions
disappear” as you will be amongst that glorious throng and forever be with Him.

This afternoon we have seen a little glimpse of what the newspapers would have said about the Lord Jesus all those years ago but the Bible is so up to date it is relevant for us today.

Our Holiday to Northern Ireland and Dublin
16th– 21st July 2007

This year Peter and I went with a Christian Holiday Group to Northern and Southern Ireland. We go every year with the same Christian group from Swansea and we enjoy the company and the fellowship of fellow Christians.. Also we enjoy seeing different places and enjoying the beautiful countryside which God has created.

Before we went the weather wasn’t very good and the forecast for the week we were due to be away was rain, rain and more rain so I packed macs and umbrellas expecting the worse but we were pleasantly surprised to have warm sunny days.

We were picked up at our home at 9.30am on Monday 16th July 2007 by Jonathan, who was to be our driver for the duration of the holiday. During the bus journey, Peter Bridgens the Tour Leader kept us busy with puzzles, general knowledge quizzes etc. Also we had a regular supply of home made welsh cakes, biscuits and chocolates and sweets. Tea, coffee, soup and hot chocolate could be purchased at a nominal charge of 40p.

The following is a diary of where and what we did during our stay away.

Monday 16th July – After being picked up at our home we continued along the M4 and picked up other people who were joining the group at several pick-up points. In total we were 28 in the group. Some of the folk we had known from previous holidays and others were new to us. We had “highs” and “lows” during the holiday - The “lows” being that we heard of the deaths just within the last few weeks of two friends we had met on several previous holidays, We felt very sad as we had such happy memories of these dear people on previous holidays.
The “highs” being that we met people who we now consider our friends and we will keep in touch with them. Also the sun shone which was a bonus as we were expecting rain.

We arrived at Fishguard Pembrokeshire and we caught the 2.30pm crossing to Rosslare in County Wexford, Southern Ireland. We arrived at Rosslare at 6.00pm and continued our journey to the seaside town of Bray (Southern Ireland). As we were only staying at this hotel for one night, I packed an overnight bag with all the necessary things we needed for our overnight stay but unfortunately I had packed the toothbrushes and toothpaste in our main cases which were still on the bus. Silly me. I needed these items so I left the hotel and found a little shop and bought a tube of Colgate toothpaste and two toothbrushes with my “ Euros.” I had only changed a few pounds into Euros as we would be spending most of the time in the North and they still use £’s. I bought the items and as I was putting the loose change into my purse I dropped a few of my “precious” Euros on the shop floor and a few coins rolled under the icecream freezer. As the the shop was quiet I asked the shopkeeper if he could help me find my coins .Can you imagine us both on our hands and knees trying to find them. In his Irish way of speaking he said “You will have to come back in the Spring when I Spring clean” but he was only joking and he got a ruler and managed to retrieve my coins. I think I ended up with more coins than I had dropped, I expect other people had done the some thing. Thinking about this incident reminded me of the parable of the Lost Coin. In the Bible The woman searched until she had found the lost coin. Just as Jesus searches out the lost souls to be saved.
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Tuesday 17th July 2007 - Following breakfast and morning devotions we continued our journey north stopping at Warrenpoint for a coffee break. In one of the shops I bought Peter a new green cardigan. We then continued our journey enjoying the wonderful scenery of the Mountains of Mourne where the song says “The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”. and eventually we cross over the border and arrive in Belfast, Northern Ireland to the Stormont Castle Hotel in which we stayed for three nights with wonderful breakfasts and evening dinners. This hotel is situated across the road from Northern Ireland’s famous Parliament Building “Stormont” and we enjoyed a visit to the grounds and viewed the wonderful Parliament building. Having seen this building on the television so many times it was lovely to see it in reality.




Stormont-N.Ireland’s Parliament building

After our evening meal we had our evening fellowship service when several people from the group took part in singing, praying, reading God’s Word and preaching. After a busy day we were then ready for bed. The hotel was 5* and quite outstanding with all the facilities we would need.



Stormont Castle Hotel

Wednesday 18th July 2007 – After a good’s night’s sleep and a hearty Irish breakfast and morning devotions when Peter spoke from Psalm 23 we had a tour of Belfast when a guide called Aiden pointed out all the places of interest including Queen’s University, the Harlam and Wolf Shipyards where the famous Titanic was built. There are many building projects in progress and eventually it will be well worth a visit. We also saw the famous giant cranes which are called locally “Goliath” and “Sampson”. In their “hay day”they were the largest cranes in the world. They are now just a tourist attraction and the Council are planning to turn them into “Bungee jump” platforms. The guide explained the political history of the city and the troubles which we have all heard about. We visited the famous Falls Road, (Catholic area) and the Shankhill Road (Protestant area) both areas still separated by very high wall. There still remains the murals painted on the walls and sides of houses depicting either the loyalists or IRA connections. Also there are flags and bunting everywhere depicting which side they represent.


The guide said Belfast had a very high rainfall, because of the mountains on all sides and he jokingly said it “was like living in a carwash”. Amazingly we had a beautiful day and the sun shone. In the afternoon we travelled north to the Giant’s Causeway. As it was such a lovely day, there were many tourists – we took the bus down to the famous hexagonal basalt blocks which are so well known. We returned to the hotel very tired but ready for our evening meal. At 8.30 we had our evening fellowship meeting when several of our group took part.




Thursday 19th July 2007 - Peter and my 49th Wedding Anniversary.

After breakfast and morning devotions we had a full day visiting Enniskillen. Enniskillen is well known for the IRA bombing which took place on Remembrance Day on the 8th November 1987 which is known as “The Poppy Day Massacre”. Eleven people were killed including Marie Wilson, a nurse. Her father Gordon Wilson, who was interviewed many times on the television received an honour from the Queen as he publicly declared that he forgave the killers who murdered his precious daughter and that he would pray for them. In the afternoon we arrived at Loch Erne and most of the party went for a leisurely boat trip for two hours on the Loch.. As the weather was warm and sunny we all enjoyed the experience.

During our evening meal at the hotel - Rev. Ian Paisley (Northern Ireland’s First Minister) and his wife together with his body guard came into the restaurant for a meal. What a gracious Christian man he is, he called Peter over to his table and they were able to have a chat. Dr Paisley was so pleased to know that a group of South Wales Christians were present at the hotel and he told Peter that he loved South Wales as had trained at the Barry Bible College and when his first daughter was born, they called her Rhondda. He also said he appreciated our prayers as he had a very difficult job running a now united Northern Ireland. A little while later when we were about to go downstairs for the evening fellowship meeting, Rev Paisley and party were coming up the stairs and again, his body guard leading the way, and we were able to chat to him and he shook our hands. That evening I was able to give an item about “The Bible.”

Friday 20th July 2007 – Our last full day in Northern Ireland. After our last breakfast at the Stormont Castle Hotel we made our way to Dublin in Southern Ireland. We had a few hours in Dublin looking around the busy shops and seeing the famous statute of Molly Mallone with her wheelbarrow.


Dublin is also famous for the 8th century illustrated manuscript of the gospels known as the book of Kells named after the village in which it was discovered in 1621 and can be seen at Trinity College. The driver picked us up at 5.15pm and we started our journey to Rosslare where we intended catching the 9.15pm sailing back to Fishguard. All went well for an hour or so and then we hit so many roadworks and hold-ups that the journey took much longer than anticipated. The result of which - ,when we arrived at the port, the Ferry boat was sailing away without us. WE HAD MISSED THE BOAT We all felt devastated as the next sailing was 9.15am the next morning. Eventually it was decided to find a hotel and after ringing around the different hotels we were fortunate to be able to have a bed for the night at one of the hotels nearby. We were up very early in order to be in time for the sailing at 9.15am. We boarded the ship and we enjoyed a full English breakfast onboard as we hadn’t eaten much the night before. We had a very smooth crossing and arrived back in Fishguard at 12.30pm. It had started raining by now, the first time we had rain , except for a little drizzle on the way to Dublin, and we had a pleasant journey home and.

This holiday is one to be remembered – we had good company, good weather (every day the sun shone) except for the bus ride from Fishguard - the news from home was rain, rain and more rain and many places were flooded. We had a good driver and we felt very sorry when he couldn’t make it in time for the crossing.

The Lord really blessed and we had good fellowship and ministry and it was good to be. with fellow Christians. Even though we had to spend an extra night, it worked out for the best as we did not have to travel home in the middle of the night. Surely we can say “All things work together for work, to those who love him who have been called according to His purpose-Romans 8 v 28

So on the whole our holiday across the sea to Ireland was very pleasant and the memories of it will stay with us for a long time.







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