Battle Log
Sunday 15 September 2024
Posted 15 September 2024, 4:31 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink
Glory to God, the week in Wellington, working with the Church: Calvary Wellington, seemed to go well. A lot went on, so I won’t be able to write about it all, instead I’ll hit the high (& low) points that come to mind until the hour I have for this report is up.
So, from Monday to Friday, we were on the streets in the Wellington region for 6 hours a day. Monday morning we were at Naenae (pronounced “Ni Ni”), then in the afternoon we went over to Wainuiomata. On Tuesday we were in Upper Hutt all day. On Wednesday we were in Wellington city: outside Massey University in the morning, and then in Cuba Street in the afternoon. On Thursday we were in Lower Hutt: outside Queensgate Mall in the morning, and then in Petone in the afternoon. Finally, on Friday we were back in Wellington city: Lambton Quay in the morning, and on the waterfront in the afternoon.
Not counting Craig, I don’t think there was a single outreach where we didn’t have local church members with us - except when we were outside Massey Uni. So it was so great to serve alongside them for the week.
Also, on Sunday afternoon, I ran our regular Christchurch city outreach between church gatherings.
I have to admit I’m feeling sleepy now! I’ve been sleeping really well since I got back (not that I slept badly while I was away – thank you so much Royce for letting us use your home for the week, that was super appreciated!). I’m certainly looking forward to my day off tomorrow!
A big shout out to Roger, Andy and Craig - who were real troopers through the week! Thanks for hosting us in your area Craig and Jan. And Craig, thanks for all your organisation and coordination.
Okay, now for some details.
In Naenae I remember a lot of resistance, although I remember a receptive chat too. It was with a young couple who had just jumped into their car. The highlight chat among the resistant ones was the final one of the outreach. I approached an older man who was walking towards the shops. He thought I was going to beg from him! Haha, I must fit in as a streetie! Anyway, we got into a good chat. It turns out he is an Atheist - although he went to a church for about 3 years, up until recently. The reason he stopped, he considered himself a fraud, being there just for the fellowship, and even enjoying the songs, but still an Atheist. He really liked to talk! But I was fascinated by his story. I was curious, how can an Atheist spend 3 years in a church community and not be challenged? When the opportunity was right, I was able to gently challenge him, starting with the building / builder analogy. He gently resisted, but I held my ground, not letting him distract himself from reality. Sadly, he flared up, and he revealed the real reason for his Atheism: his hatred for God: “Why would he let all this death occur?”. He moved on, not letting me respond. So sad.
In Wainuiomata I was paired up with June. There were not a lot of people around, but we moved down the street and walked into what felt like a ‘divine appointment’. 2 young people were sitting outside a shop enjoying a drink. It turns out they are brother and sister. June and I had a long chat with them, working through the law, the gospel, and all the check questions. We then answered questions, and even shared our testimonies (they asked). They were very open. She seemed to have a few ‘click’ moments during the chat, and even made a profession of faith. He wasn’t ready to commit, saying he needed to “tick some boxes” - what he meant is that he needed to work it all through in his thinking. It turns out that the Mormons had been talking to them. It was an awesome chat. What was really cool was when I bumped into this young man again on Thursday in Lower Hutt! We hugged, and then I popped him a check question. He got it right! So he remembered what was important. I asked if he had “ticked all your boxes yet”. He said he had, last night! I pointed him to the Bible (June gave them a copy of the gospel of John each), and the local church.
I’m running out of time to write and I’m only on day 1 of 5!
In Upper Hutt I had a great chat with a young man who had been heavily influenced by the cult: World Mission Society Church of God. The gospel really clicked for him. In the afternoon I had a good chat with some Mormon Missionaries.
Outside Massey was great. A really busy time. The highlight chat was with a young agnostic: Tim. He resisted all the way through the conversation, and yet I could tell he was challenged. He asked all the hard questions he could.
On Cuba street there was much resistance. I vaguely remember a chat with a young Chinese guy. I say that, because I saw him again on Friday (2 days later) on Lambton Quay - he acknowledged me but didn’t stop. But then on Friday evening, Craig, Jan, Andy & I went to a Chinese restaurant for fellowship before heading to the airport. The guy at the counter was the same young Chinese guy! He remembered me, although I only barely remembered him. Later, he came to our table and said he really appreciated the way we worked while on the street. He took another gospel tract. May God convict him and convert him!
What a great trip, but it’s so good to be home. I had a great time on the street with Elijah from my church this afternoon. I gave Elijah room to have his own gospel conversations. He had 2 opportunities to put his apologetics study into practice. He was able to share the gospel with his 2nd chat. Well done Elijah! Keep it up bro!
Glory to God for allowing us to do what we do. Please continue to pray for our feeble efforts. May God use them to show his strength in saving many.
View previous Christchurch (NZ) report (8 September 2024)
Christchurch (NZ) Team
Weekly outreaches:
Tue 3:30pm - 5:30pm - Riccarton (corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St)
Fri 1:30pm - 3:30pm - City (Bridge of Remembrance)
Sat 11am - 1pm - Riccarton (corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St)
Sun 1:30pm - 3:30pm - City (corner of Colombo St and Cashel St).
Contact Glen Richards or Andy Barlow for more information.