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Richard Bell - 07753240113 Victor Kyle - 07731424435 Chuck Ebron - 02838330273 Email - rickybell@thegospelbus.co.uk |
Welcome Aboard The Gospel Bus
One Thursday night in April, UTV live ran a story on the local news at 6pm. Ulster bus were selling a fleet of their old Leyland Leopard buses. As I sat watching T.V, the thought came to me - “What an opportunity to use one of these buses for a mobile outreach”. I then lifted the phone and rang my brother in the Lord and asked him if he had seen the article on the evening news? He said brother, “We will seek God’s face for confirmation about the purchasing of the bus for this ministry”.A week later as I stood in my kitchen making a pot of soup, my son handed me a letter that was delivered by hand. On opening it I discovered a letter, accompanied with a £2,000 cheque from another brother in the Lord. The following day the brother rang me. He told me as he sat in his study early on Friday morning before work, the Lord laid on his heart to send me a cheque for this amount. This brother in the Lord was unknown to me, but he had learned about my exercise for this work through another believer. At that time my work included calling with Ulsterbus in my daily activities. On such a day I shared my vision with Ulsterbus’s area manager. He asked me what use I would have for one of these buses. I proceeded to tell him the verses (Isaiah 42v5,6,7,8,9,10 & 16 and also Matthew14v22-23 the Lord had laid on my heart. He then asked me to write a letter to the fleet controller and purchasing manager. After approx one month I received a phone call from head of Ulster bus requesting a meeting. As a result I purchased a bus (Fleet No. 325).
Our local milkman, Nelson, called one evening at the door and I proceeded to share the vision with him. Proverbs 29v18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. He told me that he was saved for 28 years and felt he had done nothing for the Master. He asked God that he would direct him and use him for his service. God had just answered Nelson’s prayer. That was the commencement of the team for the Gospel Bus.
As the team started to seek the face of the Lord we saw the Lord’s hand. Other believers started to see the vision and joined the team on the bus. As the bus started to take shape the team sought God’s face as to where he wanted them to start the work. God gave Richard the verse Luke24v47. When the refurbishment of the bus was complete we headed into Drumtara estate, to start ministering the word of God on the doors.
On the first night God opened doors and gave wonderful opportunities to speak to poor lost sinners about their eternal welfare. While the men went to the doors, the women carried on a children's meeting with the youth of the estate. This work continued three nights a week and in the space of twenty weeks we are still not near through the estate, but we praise God for His faithfulness in the salvation of many precious souls. The bus ministry and the hearts desire of the team is Romans 10v1. the Lord has opened doors, that humanly speaking we thought was not possible.
Meeting The People
At the beginning of July the team approached Tam Balmer - the head of the bonfire committee to ask permission to do an open air. They gave permission for tract distribution, but not an open air. The team got down to prayer, knowing that our God is an awesome God and “the prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5v16. next day we received a phone call late p.m. to tell us “someone must have been praying” because you now have a twenty minute slot for an open air meeting. 1 Tim5v17.
On the 11th night we went to the bonfire to have our open air. Great attention and reverence was shown as the Gospel was preached. When the message came to an end the “D.J” got back on stage and thanked us for coming and sharing the Gospel. The crowd showed their appreciation by applauding us as we packed up. We continued after the meeting to mingle with the residents and friends, giving out tracts and telling people of God’s love. Ish 55v11.
Teach me to love, this is my prayer- May the compassion of Thy heart I share; Ready a cup of water to give, May I unselfishly for others live.
People don’t care what we know, or how much we know, until they know how much we care.
After the open air we continued to serve God faithfully in Drumtara estate. One example of God’s faithfulness was when each night we parked outside a particular door. Unknown to us, God started to work with the man in that house. He was a backslider and the verse of scripture on the side of the bus “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” Isa55v6 , became imprinted on his mind night and day until he got no rest and finally bowed his knee to the Lord and asked him to restore him. Two weeks later his wife also gave her life back to the Lord. Again two weeks later another soul came back to the Lord.
Friends , we are just sinners saved by grace. We would covet the prayers of God’s people for this very needy ministry. We know that if ever we needed a breath of God, prayer will release the spiritual showers from heaven. I would encourage you to return to God’s word, seek earnestly his face and think of the story in John 6v9 , of the five words at the commencement of that verse “There is a lad here” he gave his all to feed many. What an act of love. Remember folks another great act of love– look no further than Calvary - we see Jesus bleeding and dying a cruel death for you and me. He gave His all, now what about you?
TRUE COMPASSION IS LOVE IN ACTION
