“Where are you from?” I get asked this question all the time. Of course I tell them America. When they try to guess what state, for some reason they associate this North Carolina accent with Texas.

Then comes the big question, “Why are you here?” This is the ultimate golden question, because it always opens up the door to share the Gospel.

When I am asked why I’m here, I reply, “I came here to preach the Gospel and tell people about salvation through Jesus Christ. Have you ever gave your life to Christ?”

My answer will vary according to the situation and the person I’m speaking with, but will always contain a thought-provoking question toward their stand with God.

“Have you ever heard the Gospel, have you ever thought about your eternal life, etc…?” Not surprisingly, the majority of people never have heard the Gospel of salvation through faith.

I was getting diesel for my car the other day and the Lord opened up a great witness with the attendant. Of course it all started with, “So what are you doing over here?”

After I told him I was spreading the Gospel, and asked what he was depending on to get to heaven, he told me he thought it was your lifestyle. I told him the old, old story that has been changing lives for centuries, and told him one day he would stand in front of God, and only the righteousness of Jesus Christ can merit him acceptance from God into His heaven. He said, “O yea, I know I’ll stand in front of God, but I have my own beliefs, you see, I’m a Roman Catholic.” Sadly, this is how the conversation ended. He wanted to hear nothing.

This is a very “churchy and religious land.” Most people here, when asked how they think they can get to heaven, the most common answer is “You have to live the best you can and hopefully, your good will outweigh your bad.” This is a lie preached from the lips of so many ministers in these apostate churches, and not just Catholics, you hear it from Presbyterians, Methodists, and Anglicans alike.

Going on eight years of mission work in Limavady, I have had very little conversions while knocking on the doors. I have, however, seen many visitors come to church because of this outreach. Through door-to-door evangelism I meet so many people and have such an opportunity to plant seed and water. Although much of the seed planted falls by the wayside, is devoured by the fouls of the air, or is chocked before the tender plant has a chance to stand on its own, God has allowed me to witness several golden sheaves spring up from our labors, bearing fruit for His kingdom and compelling others to come in.

It has certainly been worth it all, and when we see our Lord face to face, if we remain faithful “over a few things,” we will here Him say, “Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Thank you for allowing us to remain faithful to the work here in Limavady, Northern Ireland.

We will be traveling to the states for Christmas this year. We have a mission conference lined up and only a couple churches that do not presently support us. We will be unable to visit any supporting churches because of the short time we will be in the states.

I would like to thank my Pastor, Bro. Floyd Perry, for his tremendous help in getting us home for the holidays. Of course he is also my father-in-law, so you can guess he is all for being with his daughter and four grandchildren for a couple weeks, not to mention being with me also. Amen.

Two Independent Baptist preachers from Belfast will be filling in for me, and four men from our church will take part in the services during my absence. We are praying for the Lord to bring in an indigenous pastor that could take on the role of a pastor for this work. If this happens, God could use us to see another fundamental Baptist work established in this country. Until then, as stated before, we will remain faithful to the work God has given us.

May God be with you all. Ronnie Smith and Family in Northern Ireland