January 18 Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord - Christine is recovering well from the viral meningitis

- Praise the Lord - We had the first monthly reunion group meetings in the Ballymena area for Tres Dias

- Praise the Lord - There are three couples who are joining our Shepherds Heart missionary support team at Refuge.

- Praise the Lord - A new film series began at Mooreland Close for the monthly DVD night that was well received. This year will be the seventh that we have been doing this.

Please pray for the following with us:

 - Please pray for Cindy as she prepares as leader of a cross-community 3-Day weekend to be held in March. She wants to be sensitive to the Lord's direction and see Him work in the lives of the ladies who will be attending. Also for peace and unity to be with the team.

- Please pray with us for the Lord to show us our part to play in the Ireland4Jesus outreach coming early this summer. We are seeking to hear the Lord's voice to know His will as a church and as individuals who will be in leadership roles.

- N suffered a personal heartache that has sent her into depression. She needs the Lord's help to forgive the person.

- Pray for Christine (the one who had viral meningitis) for her knee that was injured in an attack last July may have further damage that was not able to detected at the first.

- Sandra has had a health set-back caused by the sarcoidosis causing severe pain in her knees and lower back so she can barely walk.

- Pray for A who wants to turn his life around and not return to prison when he is released in six months. The Lord is moving in his life and he is drawing closer to following Him

- We are still waiting to receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand!

Thank you for your faithful prayer support   
God bless you,

Rick & Cindy Johnston

January 3 - Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord - The monthly reunion for the prison ministry Rick was part of was well attended and a good success 
- Praise the Lord - We had a great meeting with two of our young adults who had gone to college, B and R, and a close and accepting relationship is continuing

- Praise the Lord -  Granny Pearl has a place in a care home now and is settling in well. It was the one that the family was hoping for, but there is still tension with the daughters. Pray for peace all around.

- Praise the Lord - Ruth has begun training for her new job which should start next week. She will now be able to join us regularly for Sunday worship!

Please pray for the following with us:

- Pray for Aidan who wants to turn his life around and not return to prison when he is released in six months. The Lord is moving in his life and he is drawing closer to following Him

- Please pray with us for the serious spiritual attack we are under. The enemy is working hard to bring about discouragement and apathy. I have come under personal attack , in particular with evil dreams and fears.

- Pray for Christine who is in hospital with viral meningitis

- Stephen's Aunt Isabel, who suffered a major stroke, has no movement on her left side yet, but she has had slow, steady progress and has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Her speech has returned to normal and she is breathing on her own now. Be praying for her to regain the ability to swallow.

- We are still waiting to receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand!
- Pray for our friend Jo Anne who just received a diagnosis of bladder leiomyoma (a benign tumor) and is scheduled for an operation in February for it. She will have at least a three week long recovery period. We also pray that there will not be any interference with her medication for M.S
- We are praying for our friend Debbie in California who has had a possible return of cancer detected on her esophagus, in the area where her operation was performed.

Thank you for your faithful prayer support   God bless you,

Rick & Cindy Johnston

December 13 Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord - A major crusade is coming to Ireland next year with the first stop being Ballymena. We are able to be involved and part of the planning in the early stages of it. 
- Praise the Lord - The rest we received and loving hospitality from our friends the Macfarlane's refreshed us in body and soul

- Praise the Lord - I have been able to attend each inter-faith advent service that has met once a week in various churches in Ballymena and will be able to go to the final one this week with Cindy

- Praise the Lord - The church had a good time of bonding while we were together at a Christmas-themed afternoon tea at a local hotel

Please pray for the following with us:

- Pray for several people who are struggling with serious bouts of depression.  

- Pray for the many people around us who are facing loneliness and depression at these holiday times. It can be a difficult time of the year

- Pray for our friend Stephen's Aunt Isabel who suffered a major stroke, she has limited movement on her left side. She has had the feeding tube removed now and been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital.

- Please pray for Leo's mom, who has dementia, for her salvation. Specifically pray that they can somehow share the gospel with her in a way that her mind can understand to accept the Lord.
- Pray for Ashley in California who is suffering with chronic back pain from two degenerative discs in her lower back.
- We are still waiting to receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand! 
- Pray that the holidays will afford open doors to witness the wonder of God our Saviour.
- Please pray for G, who is struggling with a confusion about her faith and is wondering where she should fellowship, is facing financial hardships and concerns for her children. 

Thank you for your faithful prayer support,
Blessings,
Rick and Cindy Johnston

December 7 Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord - We had a great outing with the church into Belfast - and were able to meet up with Trisha and Denise from CC Dublin who have visited us before.
- Praise the Lord - We are currently having a wee break at our dear friends Stephen & Lorraine's home - The S&L Retreat!

- Praise the Lord - Heather is continuing to get better and be relieved from ME - thank the Lord Jesus!

- Praise the Lord - Linsey is finding it much easier with her children.

Please pray for the following with us:
- Pray for several people who are struggling with serious cases of depression.  

- Pray for our friend Stephen's Aunt Isabel who suffered a major stroke, she has no movement on her left side, has a feeding tube and is on oxygen to help her breath. 

- Please pray for Leo's mom's salvation. Specifically pray that they can somehow share the gospel with her in a way her mind can understand/accept the Lord.

- Pray for Ashley in California who is suffering with chronic back pain from two degenerative discs in her lower back.

- We are still waiting for our receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand!

- Pray that the holidays will afford open doors to witness the wonder of God our Saviour.

- Please pray for Gail, who is struggling with a confusion about her faith and is wondering where she should fellowship, is facing financial hardships and concerns for her children. 

- Please continue praying that the unity of the body of Christ in Ballymena will continue to grow as we work together on outreach and other projects, breaking down denominational barriers.and living a witness of working together without walls. Exciting times!

 

Thank you for your faithful prayer support   God bless you,

Rick & Cindy Johnston

November 30 - Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord -  Our wee Ruth has just gotten a new job which will allow her to attend Sunday services! She is also emerging from the mental and emotional weakness she was facing.
- Praise the Lord - The spiritual attack of apathy seems to be lessoning.

- Praise the Lord - Heather is being healed of M.E./chronic fatigue and the pain that was related to it.

 Please pray for the following with us:

- Pray for our friend Stephen's Aunt Isabel who suffered a major stroke a few days ago
- We are still waiting for our receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand!
- Pray that the holidays will afford open doors to witness the wonder of God our Saviour.
- Pray for Maggie's family as they need to decide on a care home for her mom to be placed in. She has Alheimer's and is living with the family at present. Please pray that all involved would have peace and no guilt with this very tough decision.
- Pray for the Lord to help Linsey deal with her two children. Her son, aged 9, has been particularly rebellious and it's been difficult for her to deal with lately.


- Please pray that the unity of the body of Christ in Ballymena will continue to grow as we work together on outreach and other projects, breaking down denominational barriers.and living a witness of working together without walls.
 

Thank you for your faithful prayer support   God bless you,

Rick & Cindy Johnston

November 22 Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord -  The prison ministry that Rick was part of ended well with all the participants being touched deeply by the love of the Lord that was in evidence.
- Praise the Lord - We had a great birthday party surprize for Cindy. She was really blessed by it.

- Praise the Lord - The Healing on the Streets training and practice was super well attended and the Lord healed some folks in the town. Twelve different churches were involved!

- Praise the Lord - For Nigel who attended church this past Sunday. It happened to really hit home for a situation he is facing. He is close to accepting salvation.

 

Please pray for the following with us:

- Pray with us against the spiritual attack of depression and apathy that has hit a lot of our folks.
- We are still waiting for our receive our Permanent Residency documentation to come in the post - it will be so nice to have this in hand!
- Pray for Maggie's family as they need to decide on a care home for her mom who has Alzheimer's to be placed in. Please pray that all involved would have peace and no guilt with this very tough decision.
- Pray that Ruth will gain physical, mental and especially emotional strength. She is in a tough spot right now. We're also praying that she can get another job that will allow her Sunday's to be free to be able to attend fellowship.
- Pray for the Lord to help Linsey deal with her two children. Her son, aged 9, has been particularly rebellious and difficult for her to deal with at times lately.
- Please pray for Gail who is struggling with a crisis of faith, that she will re-dedicate her heart to the Lord.
- Jo Anne has has a pretty serious relapse of symptoms of MS. We are praying for her to be healed and gain strength and stamina for day-to-day life.
- Please pray that the unity of the body of Christ in Ballymena will continue to grow as we work together on outreach and other projects, breaking down denominational barriers.and living a witness "Without Walls".
Thank you for your faithful prayer support,
Blessings,
Rick and Cindy Johnston

October 18 Praises & Prayer Requests

Praise Reports:

- Praise the Lord -  Cindy and I are pretty much over the bad colds we have suffered under in the last week
- Praise the Lord -  Our witnessing outreach to People's Park was a real encouragement for those who participated - and there was a good turn-out from our people!

- Praise the Lord - Our friends from America, Linda and Kim had a wonderful visit with us in Northern Ireland. Our specific prayers for their trip were answered!

- Praise the Lord - The church retreat the prior weekend had a real sense of peace, restfulness and of the presence of the Lord.
- Praise the Lord - Del, the husband of Rick's aunt in Washington state has gone home to be with the Lord
- Praise the Lord! - Linsey's eczema is virtually totally healed - and without any medication!!   She has also been walking in greater freedom in Christ now.
- We've been blessed with a week of R&R at Rock House, a Christian guest home Oct 22 - 28!

 Please pray for the following with us:
- Pray with us against the spiritual attack of depression and apathy that has hit a lot of our folks.

- Pray that we get some much needed rest this coming week at the Rock House.
-We pray that the application for permanent residency will be accepted for by the UKVI without any questions or obstacles. We are still waiting for a response.
- Please pray with us for peace for Rick's Aunt Joani as she grieves the loss of Del and faces an uncertain financial future.
- Pray that Ruth will gain physical, mental and especially emotional strength. She is in a tough spot right now. We're also praying that she can get another job that will allow her Sunday's to be free to be able to attend fellowship.
- Pray for the Lord to help Linsey deal with her two children. Her son, aged 9, has been particularly rebellious and difficult for her to deal with at times lately.
- Please pray for Gail who is struggling with a crisis of faith, that she will re-dedicate her heart to the Lord.
- Pray for the operation this Thursday to remove the cataract from Sandra will be a complete success with no issues during the recovery period and that she will have a peace that passes understanding as she anticipates the surgery.
- Jo Anne has has a pretty serious relapse of symptoms of MS. We are praying for her to be healed and gain strength and stamina for day-to-day life.
- Please pray that the unity of the body of Christ in Ballymena will continue to be knit as we work together on outreach and other projects, breaking down denominational barriers.and living a witness "Without Walls".

Thank you for your faithful prayer support   God bless you,

Rick & Cindy Johnston