Update

Last Friday I sent an email regarding the murder of a man within the Shankill community. His elderly mother is now in hospital. Tensions are very high. Each night, since Sunday past, several hundred people have gathered at the murder spot to hold a vigil. After the first night's vigil several of their homes were visited by members of a paramilitary group. They were told they were seen at the vigil and warned not to go back, but each night several hundred have continued to gather.

 

Tonight I was standing on the footpath while the main body of the crowd moved onto the centre of the road. There they stood for 35 minutes; just standing and chatting, but seemingly no one knew what to do. Several people in crowd then approached me and asked if I would "say a prayer". I stepped into the centre of the road and into the middle of the crowd. With my best open air voice, I called out to everyone to gather in for a prayer. I briefly commended them for the manner in which they had conducted themselves and then led them in a prayer for the grieving family of Bobby Moffett, for his mother in hospital, and for the Shankill community. When I had finished, the entire crowd burst into applause and soon began to disperse.

 

We are hoping the funeral will be on Friday, but the situation remains volatile.

 

Please continue to pray about this entire situation.

 

Jack