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Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair -
Friday
Friday
Once again it was time for our Travelling friends to visit us in the Upper Eden Valley. About a week before the Fair at Appleby, 10 Bow Top Caravans and horses arrived in Warcop village. Among them was 'E', who was saved 3 years ago and she came along to KSEC on Sunday morning with her Granddaughter. Joe Mitchell, an Evangelist with the travellers, also came along with his wife and friends who had travelled up from Windsor. Ronnie McCracken and his wife Pat and another friend from Northern Ireland came to help.
We arrived at Appleby Methodist Church about 9 a.m. on Friday morning. Soon the RSPCA workers began arriving, and it was good to renew friendships with a number who had remembered us from last year. It was after 10 a.m. before we got the van set up. Travellers started to arrive with the horses, and later our Chinese friends joined us, having travelled by train from London. Janice and a friend along with a young couple were a great help.
A young lady along with her parents were really happy to accept "Eternity Stakes" and "Family Matters." They remembered an elderly couple who regularly visited the Fair. In the afternoon, we had a long talk with two RSPCA workers about why we were at the Fair, explaining the good news with them. A middle-aged gentleman, along with two young people, said, "If it hadn't been for Jesus, I wouldn't be here today (Jesus Saves)."
'J' had a little too much to drink and said, "God doesn't want me." We shared how God is not willing that any should perish but that all come to Him, including 'J'. He took a New Testament. Ronnie called to see us at the van as he had been on the field with the travellers. 'B' from Essex called with her family, who were really open and listening as we explained how to be born again. She accepted "Missing Peace," which really explains salvation so well. John took a New Testament.
'L' talked of his spiritual journey, saying, "I am going to Church when I get back to Kent." In contrast, 'B' and her two children never went to church. They had travelled from Nottingham and accepted a leaflet. Please pray this will be a turning point in their lives. We were surprised when 'J' produced a large poster with a photo and pictures of his Grandson who had been tragically killed in a car accident. As he displayed this poster and pictures, some photos were taken and we had the joy of sharing the hope in Jesus Christ, and he took "Eternity Stakes," which was very appropriate.
Saturday
Saturday
John took a New Testament. 'L' talked of his spiritual journey, saying, "I am going to church when I get back to Kent." In contrast, 'B' and her two children never went to church. They had travelled from Nottingham and accepted a leaflet. Please pray this will be a turning point in their lives.
We were surprised when 'J' produced a large poster with a photo and pictures of his Grandson who had been tragically killed in a car accident. As he displayed this poster and pictures, some photos were taken and we had the joy of sharing the hope in Jesus Christ, and he took "Eternity Stakes," which was very appropriate.
We had a little rain on Friday, but there were some heavy showers on Saturday, resulting in fewer people turning out with horses.
We had good conversations with the police, including the Gold Commander and the Inspector who was in charge of our area. She had left her chocolates in the van, which was risky. It was a great opportunity to get to know her and learn about her family, and she was happy to take "Family Matters."
The young lady who worked for the Council, who was responsible for keeping the area tidy and free from rubbish, was very open as we shared Jesus and gave her leaflets. 'L' had a challenging past but had heard the Gospel before and was looking to go back to church. Please pray she can be encouraged to come to our church at Kirkby Stephen.
'D', a professional photographer with The Guardian Newspaper, had many questions seeking truth. Marie, with her five-year-old boy, spent some time being entertained by the Chinese girls as they shared the Gospel with her. John spoke to 'W' who said they had come from Wakefield. He shared with John how he had recently met a lady who had told him about "New Birth." John said, "I don't think meeting her and us today is by chance," and he agreed. After explaining "New Birth," 'W' came with John into the van and prayed and asked the Lord into his life, happily taking a Bible. We were able to put them in touch with an Evangelical Church near their home, which they have attended. Please remember this family in prayer.
'L' from Dumfries was concerned about life after death. We assured him that Eternity and Heaven were real and gave him the leaflet "Eternity Stakes." A young man came along, enquiring what Jehovah's Witnesses believe. We explained that they have no assurance of salvation.
As the day came to an end, the Chinese young people were hoping to go to a Tent meeting on the field where the Gypsy camp is. They were so excited about their visit to Appleby; they are already thinking about returning next year.
On Sunday night, Ronnie McCracken gave a great Word at KSEC and it was also a joy to have a couple with us from Devon. 'G' was saved 3 years ago and is still praising the Lord.
We praise the Lord for blessing our witness at Appleby Gypsy Fair and give thanks to all who came along to support and help.
John Heron
Tract Abbreviations:
Tract Abbreviations:
Eternity Stakes - ES – Designed as a ‘Sports’ Tract – very direct and suitable for a horse loving community
The Secret of Life’s Meaning – SoLM – Short and direct ‘essentials’ of the Gospel
Family Matters – FM – Excellent for Parents with young children
Reason to Believe – RtB – exactly as it says – explain “Why” one should believe in the Saviour.
Man’s Best Friend – MBF – suitable introduction for dog owners
‘Horse Pictures’ – HP – Several postcard (& larger) sizes of beautiful horses; stallions, drays, shires, Bow Tops etc. with Bible Text and 5 ‘simple’ steps outlined on the reverse with Bible References re the Way of Salvation
The Purpose of Life – PoL – comparison of the temporal ‘world’ and eternal aspirations
The Missing Peace – TMP - a Booklet showing how Life is an incomplete ‘jigsaw’ without God – “The Missing Piece / Peace”
Pathway to Peace – PtP – particularly for Bereavement
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