Dear brethren in the CPRC!

It seems such a long time since I have written but a letter is appropriate as my four years at Seminary draw to a close. As you all know, Dan Holstege and I shall be examined before Synod from 8th to 10th June, and our graduation is set for Monday 14th June. Dan and I have been relieved of pulpit duties for a few weeks before Synod so we can concentrate on the exam.

The exam will be gruelling, but I thank God for that for this reason: it shows how seriously we take the orthodoxy of our office-bearers. We can be very thankful for such a thorough and public examination of all prospective ministers’ doctrinal convictions. That does not mean that it will be easy: a sermon (Ps. 89:1), two exegesis papers (Ps. 24:3-5; John 10:28-30) and a total of 8.5 hours of public questioning by Professors and synodical delegates.

I trust that God will equip me for this just as He has surpassed my expectations (Eph. 3:20-21) in giving me the grace to do all the other seminary work. I can still remember my first days of Seminary, learning Greek and Hebrew; my first practice preaching; my first word of edification in the churches; my first day teaching catechism. What a lot I have learned in four years and I have a lifetime (God willing) to grow in that knowledge.

I have mixed feelings as the end approaches. First, there is excitement that a new phase of life is about to begin. I have followed with interest the developments in Limerick, and in God’s providence these have occurred just as I am ready to graduate (DV). I am looking forward to taking up my work. Coupled with that is sadness that I am going to leave so many dear friends in the PRC behind. I have had the privilege of meeting believers from congregations throughout the US (I did not manage to get into all the pulpits of the PRC, but who knows what opportunities I may have later?).

Francesco will discover, as I have done, the overwhelming kindness of the saints here. The Seminary is excited to continue teaching an international student body: one foreigner leaves and one comes to take his place. Watch out for the Michigan winters, Francesco! On the plus side, we have high 80’s Fahrenheit right now with humidity.

The last public holiday before Synod is coming up. I already have two invitations for Memorial Day (31st May), so that will be my last break before the exam. Brian, Prof. Cammenga is looking forward to seeing you again, as am I, and he hopes (as we all do) that he will be sufficiently well recovered from his back surgery to spend some time with you.

My flights home have been booked, and assuming the ash cloud stays away, I should be arriving home on 30th June (DV).

The Lord bless you and cause you to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your prayerful support,

Yours,

Martyn McGeown

Dear brothers and sisters of the CPRC,

Greetings again from Chennai! It has been around a month (or perhaps more) since my last update, so I thought it high time to send another. I hope that this letter finds you all well and in good spirits. Anga and I are both very thankful for the updates and e-mails that we receive from you and we ask that you continue to pray for us as we stay here.

The chaos and culture shock that is Chennai City would seem almost lost on us now, though not quite. We are getting quite used to the numbers of people, the strange food and a variety of peculiar sights, smells and general goings on! (Perhaps we’ll get another culture shock whenever we return to Northern Ireland.) At the same time, we do find it necessary to get away from the chaos and noise every once in a while, and so we found time at the end of April to travel and see the Taj Mahal in Agra. As a piece of architecture, it is highly impressive (actually, stunning), full of optical illusions, intricate carvings and marble work—it even changes colours depending on the intensity of light! Many times we heard it said that this was the greatest and most extravagant testament to love (the Mughal emperor building the mausoleum for his deceased wife)—yet as believers, we rejoice that the beauty of some of the greatest human achievements fall into insignificance when we consider the marvellous works of our Creator God and the redemptive work of His Son. He has quickened dead sinners, and so renewed our hearts and preserved us that we in turn love Him. There is no greater testament to love.

Furthermore, we do not love a dead memory, but we know and have faith that Christ is risen and intercedes for us before the Father. We behold and see with the eyes of faith when we pray and when we read His Word, when we spend time at the worship services or enjoy godly conversation and fellowship, and look forward to that day when we will dwell with Him in heaven.

In Agra, we were also treated to a brief introduction in the art of "marble inlay." Slabs of marble are delicately chipped out, and inlayed with semi-precious stones including jaspers, turquoise, agates, corals, amethyst, onyx and many more. The work is intricate, and many artists slave for hours over pieces so small they have to hold them with tweezers. With so many of these stones mentioned in the Old Testament, it reminded me especially of the construction of the temple in Solomon’s day. How ornate and beautiful a building that must have been!

As far as my work is concerned, things have been going quite well. I am working with a translator and am about sixty percent done. Another good month’s work would see me close to completion. Having recently listened to the sermon on Philippians 4:6-7, I am endeavouring not to worry about these things, knowing that with prayer and supplications comes the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding"—what a comfort this is to the child of God! There have been one or two trials in the way, including bouts of food poisoning and a dying laptop, but, on the whole, I am enjoying and finding the experience profitable. Anga’s work has almost finished. She has only one week left before she enjoys herself with a little travelling. Her internship has had her meeting a variety of people in a quite a number of places throughout Southern India which I believe she has found profitable and enjoyed. She is however looking forward to a little more free time, the conference and her impending move to Northern Ireland especially (DV).

We are each glad to see that work on the church building is progressing. We look forward to the day when we return, and are able to worship with you there.

In Christ,

David and Anga