Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair -
June 2024

Saturday

A lady shouted, “ John” and what a joy it was to meet her with her husband and family, I had spent a long chatting to this couple two years ago explaining the Way of Salvation. Pray they will come to the Lord soon.

A lady who had travelled from Wales with her daughter, they loved the texts and HPs, taking them along with TMP.

A young couple who stopped and talked each time they passed the Van were open to the Gospel, taking “FM”, he worked at a nearby shop.

A young man P from London asked for a Bible. 

‘J’ who works with troubled children after talking about issues she encountered at work  took “FM.”

J’ from Nottingham was open to hear the Gospel, asking questions but knew nothing about Jesus.  What a privilege to share the Gospel while she waited for friends.

‘E’ a gentleman from Castle Douglas, nearing retirement had attended church, asking how to be Born Again.  What a joy to share with this seeking soul and giving him the “SoLM.” What a joy to meet seeking souls.  

‘J’ and his wife were very open chatting to us, and listened as we shared the Gospel, we will call and see you next year with our seven children.

‘K’ was from Newcastle telling us his father was very wealthy, John commented on his smart jacket, he said it was a limited addition, having paid a four figure sum for it, we told him of free salvation in Christ, we pray as ‘K’ reads the ‘SoLM’ meaning and the New Testament we gave him, he will find Jesus as His Saviour.

As we were ready to leave, ‘M’ a Christian traveller from the south asked us to pray for her what a privilege. ( Brethren pray for us).                                    

Whilst waiting to set up the Van in the Church Car Park (the use of which we express gratitude to the Methodists) – theVisiting Vet (RSA) had to move his vehicle – engaged in chat re SA which led to matters eternal – takes ES – ‘promises’ to drop by later on – but no show!

2 young ladies appear as display being set up – ‘Christian’ upbringing going to church – coming out with no understanding – literature taken and brief explanation of Gospel given

Walked along Eden River Bank as horses going into river drawing people’s attention to that side of the road. Many tracts taken (WoS & WtC?) with interest varying, but John, a businessman lying down on the grass, watching the bathing horses, was very open to being joined for a discussion, and was open indeed to taking Gospel literature to consider later in the day.

C – walking along – handed WtC? – “I’m cofE – I’m OK”…..

Adam (not the original!) happy to engage in conversation – wonders what the future will be like – seek to bring him back to the here & now, in order to get things right for the future – he listens and marvels at what the Believer will experience – being changed in the “twinkling of an eye”. Tell me more – so we talk about his namesake and…… We all will die because of sin – he listens and asks for some literature to ponder on. Line upon line, precept upon precept – enough for his 1stcourse!

LR & friend – a young single mother who had her child taken away into care – was able to pick up on a conversation had with her 2 years previous. Encouraging.

Day 2 began with P from Watford and only 15 years of age who turned up at the Van – professing to be a believer – we had good conversation – the but is – he needs to be discipled. This is a regular ‘problem’ we find in Open air work – conversations are short and young believers are not being fed in their various localities.  

More tract distribution along the River Bank – one recipient, S, a biker, was having a moan because he had sought to save some money travelling by his bike rather than bringing his car and having to pay for parking, picked up a Traffic fine for ‘an incorrect display of his number plate’ on his bike. 

He was going to argue his case. This led into a wonderful conversation of a Man, wrongfully accused, wrongfully arrested and Crucified – he had never considered Jesus in such a light – how long we spent talking……. The Lord’s Word is powerful.

Continuing to look for whomsoever the Lord would direct to engage in conversation – I crossed the road once again to be faced with 2 guys, F and J, both 6 foot 8 inches tall  - and looking quite intimidating. “Hi there, you must be a couple of second row forwards” was the opening gambit. “Yes, was the reply, most people say that, but we would like to hear what you have to say!” How wonderful the Lord is – we talked at length once again to be thanked for explaining simply what the Christian message is all about. Did it help that I had been at Uni. in Durham, where they came from? I don’t know. But I learned the lesson, “do not look at the outward appearance!” (1 Sam)

Unexpectedly, at the Horse Fair, Jamil from Iraq (now living in the NE since 2001) was prepared to receive “the Injil” (Gospel literature) but he was not prepared to go beyond the standard moslem stance of ‘you Christians believe in three Gods’. 

W, only 8 years old, and on his own, readily received not only a HP, but was delighted to receive his first copy of the Gospel of John. Yes, he said he would treasure both.

One of the ‘drays’ that appeared on the road before the Van was a miniature, and pulled by a goat! The little lassie in charge of this was very happy to receive not only a HP, but also a J&J tract, and she then spend a not inconsiderable time opening up the tract, and seemed oblivious to all that was going on around her!

On the previous day, I had been offered a collie pup (very tempting) for £800; today the same man, J returned – now £500. The SoLM and ES did not seem to challenge him – he even had received an MP from John yesterday. Our conclusion that we had a man completely disinterested in the Gospel, but would appear to prefer trying to sell “ice to the eskimos”.

Later in the afternoon a conversation with another rugby player – recovering from 2 knee ligament operations. Receptive, he believed there was a God, a Creator God and was most interested as to why our Lord had to be born of a Virgin – original sin explained – this caused him to ask for Scriptures to read for himself. We praise the Lord.

Ronnie Marston, John Heron, Jeremy Purcell and David Garnett