|
FAREWELL TO MAYBOLE
Rev. Richard Martin and his wife Eva Martin said
farewell to Maybole Baptist Church on Sunday 26th September.
When they came to minister in Maybole, all but five
years ago, they did not know how long they would be staying. They
could only say, “God opened the door for us to come here and He will
show us when it is time to move on.”
One of the first things that struck them both was the
friendliness of the people in Maybole and their readiness to stop and
“blether”. Moving, as they had, from West London, where people tend to
keep themselves to themselves, this was a pleasant novelty which they
still appreciate today.
They make no secret of the fact that church life is not
easy! Whilst they have enjoyed fellowship with the church members, it
has been hard and not very successful work trying to draw other people
to join them. During the last year the church distributed packets of
literature to every home in the town, also at Maidens and in
Crosshill. So far, they have not received a single response to this
outreach.
Earlier, church members had offered copies of the
‘Jesus’ video to friends and neighbours – but interest was limited and
again response was nil. Incidentally the Church Secretary Tom Barry
still has a few copies, if anyone would like one.
A highlight of Richard and Eva’s time in Maybole was
the Millennium Year visit of children from Belarus which the church
hosted – with a lot of help from townsfolk. Then in the last six
months the baptistry pool was opened for the baptism by total
immersion of Fiona Gill. Then Fiona and two friends recently retired
to Maybole were received into church membership. Shortly afterwards it
was Richard’s joy to marry Fiona and Calum Meney in the church. These
were all special occasions and treasured memories.
Richard and Eva are now retiring to Barnstaple in Devon
where they will be near their children and grand-children. “Maybole
and the church will always have a special place in our hearts,” they
say. “Our move will open new opportunities for us, and we wonder what
God has in store for us next, south of The Wall!”
(From the Ayrshire Post October 1, 2004) |
