We had lived in Galway just a few months when our first fruit of ministry took place. The only people we knew were our colleagues, our landlady, and one Irish family. We met this Irish family through ways only the Lord could have directed. 

In the time leading up to our move overseas, a couple from Galway who were living in Texas heard about us. They had come to faith in Jesus through a Billy Graham conference early in their time in America and deeply desired for their family back home to have this same faith. When they heard we were moving to Ireland for church planting, they asked us to contact their families, so, of course, we did! 

That’s when it happened. A relative of our newly acquainted prayer supporters stopped by our home while she happened to be in our neighborhood. It’s called a “pop over” and very common in Irish culture for these impromptu visits and possibly even stay for a “cuppa” (cup of tea, or in this case, coffee). 

Our colleagues had warned us how long it would take to earn trust and develop relationships in Ireland. It could be years before we would see anyone dare step into our home. Yet, by God’s grace and intervention, here I sat in full conversation over a cup of coffee with an Irish acquaintance. 

We knew that ministry in Europe took time, that people needed to hear the gospel on multiple occasions before accepting it, and we can definitely testify to this over our 18 years of service here. But that day early in our ministry, I saw fruit. It was fruit from years of prayers that I hadn’t prayed. Some may not recognize a cup of coffee as being ministry fruit, but I know better. I need to count it as fruit. Moments like this are the sweet encouragement to keep me in this slow work time and time again. 

Fruit comes in all shapes and sizes…and stages of development. We need to recognize it and praise the Lord for each one.