Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 17

Toowong (QLD) Team

Today, originally I had to do street outreach at Sunnybank by myself. But God arranged a missional couples Rebecca and Guo Long to have Yumcha lunch with me first and then joined me for a while to do outreach doing the opening prayer for the ministry and for my health as well. Taking this chance I did a demo and using Guo Long as a Christian target to test his assurance of salvation. He claimed he only has 80% certainty and it was really the work of God to bring him to join me on the street even for a while to have his unclear concept about salvation clarified. Since they have another appointment in the afternoon in Northern part of Brisbane, they could not stay too long with me so they left for Atandi.

After that I returned to the City bound side of Bus stop. It was a rainy day but God stopped the rain when I started doing outreach. There were of course rejection and intentional ignoring my approach with a cold face. We all count this as crown winning moments to withstand despise or even insult while we are on mission with God through the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, God also gave me a couple of good gospel sharing conversations as recap below: -

Two stand out ones are as follows:

Hu? with family migrated from Chongxin now doing high school here and cross road with me because today is the Ekka school holiday. He listen attentively and with open mind and was impressed and convinced by the logic of the gospel message that as long as we are not perfect, even we are good person but we also need salvation by Jesus to take our place to receive the punishment of our sin. He admitted this was the first time he heard the gospel and he agreed to ponder and make his faith action and decision to accept Jesus.

Then next one was a tall guy from New Taipei, Taiwan who studies design at UQ but lives in Sunnybank. He is non-believer but also appeared open to Gospel message with receptiveness.

---

Toowong (QLD) Team

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday Aug 13th 2024 from 1330-1430

Weather forecast for the beginning of this week Monday to Wednesday is basically gloomy with even 100% rain. Soaking rain fell the whole morning and along the way to Toowong. Miraculously, rain stopped right at Toowong, with very light scattered rain that can be protected by my yellow yacht jacket. Thanks God Edwin joined me to start at 1330 while Johnny had to be late for half an hour. Finally we made a good team of three to have covered almost every one getting to the bus stop after the peak queue up when Edwin and I first arrived. With the swift action of Edwin, I tended to do less, but majority were Christians but most are lack of assurance of salvation with an exceptional couple possibly dating but studying in different Uni. The only non-believers however gave me a surprised reaction and blessing as per Battle log recap below.

1) Carina from Peru is Catholic Christian who disclosed to me only after I shared her the full gospel which seems to be new to her. When I checked her assurance of salvation, she obviously lack of it but felt rejoiced after my clarification as such she happily took a selfie with me.

2) Ricci a Filipino Catholic Christian also lack assurance and felt relieved after clarification.

3) Harry possibly a mainlander but claimed he met and chat with me 5 years ago and a couple of time later else where like Sunnybank. He has a good memory of me as actually he has been watching us throughout this years. He is still not yet a believers but because of us he did has attended churches as a trial. I took this moment to revise the full gospel with him but use cancerous cells as sin that must be perched or killed. An Jesus as if the greatest surgeon to heal us. I finally use my own testimony being a Cancer patience but still have no fear of death but continuously live a positive life on mission with God. Despite a cancer patient, he was surprised to see my face look like 50 years old young but I am actually 72. So he did see God's blessing to protect His children with joy welled up inside my heart to live and look young. He was impressed and see the impact of Christian faith and even promised to pray for me when he is not yet a believer.

4) Jonathan and Anna are Uni student of Griffith and UQ respectively. They were doing one on one bible study even at the bus stop. When asked the 2 diagnosis questions, they got it right which is rare. They attend the Uni church and the Hope church. I encouraged them to be a fair dinkum Christian living a life on mission with God.

5)Japanese girl shocked by my greetings in fluent Japanese and unknowingly fled away from me

---

Christchurch (NZ) Team

It’s great to be back on the streets after a couple of weeks off for rest.  All four regular street outreaches ran this week: Tuesday afternoon in Riccarton with Roger, Friday afternoon in the city with Andy and Roger, Saturday morning in Riccarton, and Sunday afternoon in the City with Thomas and Binu.  A mix of rain and sunshine for the outreaches.

 

Before I get to my report for the week, I just want to mention that we will be up in the Wellington region for a week of outreach coming up soon.  We will be running a training session on Saturday morning, 7th September in Lower Hutt.  For more details, and to register, check out: https://tellmeconference.org.nz/training/  It’s free.

 

So, some really cool gospel seed opportunities this week.  I’ll start with Tuesday.  Nice weather.  I was straight into conversations after setting up, and it was a busy outreach.

 

I heard someone call from across the street.  When I turned to look, I recognised the guy from the suit shop in the mall.  My daughter is getting married next month, and so I was in this shop twice recently trying on and eventually buying a suit.  I had wanted to share a tract with him at the time, but to my shame I didn’t have any on me.  So, I ran across the street and gave him one now.  When he realised what it was, I was shocked to hear him say he is an ordained minister: pentecostal.  I was curious as to his career change and a conversation ensued.  Sadly, he was on a break from work and I could tell he had to go, yet based on the few things he said, I had a million questions for him.  I popped him a check question, and his answer confirmed I wanted to talk more.  I’d love to catch up with him for coffee, he seemed open, and so I intend to pop into the store again in the near future and see if I can tee that up.  It’s a reminder to make the most of the opportunities we get in our everyday life.  Would you hand a gospel tract to a shop assistant that has been helping you?  Let me encourage you to do that, always have tracts on you, you can get them for free here (NZ) or here (Worldwide).

 

This reminds me, during my 2 weeks break, I was able to share the gospel 5 times: 4 of them were tracts given to delivery people.  But one was a real God ordained opportunity (I didn’t have to go out of my way to make it happen).  Be encouraged to: pray for, take, and even make opportunities to share the gospel with people.  It’s real hope for eternal life, how can we not share it?

 

Friday was rainy.  Not ideal for street outreach, but Andy & I needed a break from the online ministry, and so we hit the streets anyway.  It was a reminder that, even in rain, there is ample opportunity for sharing the gospel: because that’s exactly what we had.  Like taking candy from a baby.

 

Suits don’t often stop to talk.  But this one did, to my surprise.  He had his umbrella up.  He gave me about 3 minutes.  But that was enough time for me to drop law and gospel seed.  He was engaged, and seemed impacted.  He gladly accepted a tract.  He may well walk away and forget what he heard, but maybe not?  Maybe it will lead to his salvation?  The gospel is the power of God.

 

Saturday was cold and dreary.  People weren't as willing to stop and talk, and yet I handed out many tracts.

 

Sunday was a lovely day, sunny and warm.  Lots of people were out and about.  I was pumped up from some great preaching from the Bible in the morning church gathering.  I love the elders of my church!  Thomas and I prayed, and before I even had the flip chart up, I was into my first chat.

 

A young man from Burnside High.  He walked past at just the right time, and he was keen to chat.  He had no religious upbringing, and never thought about the afterlife.  So, he was a little emotionally flat as we talked.  And yet, I could tell he was interested, as he considered the new information I gave him.  Great chat.  He had a Gideons Bible that had been given to him a couple of months ago, but he was happy to take a copy of the gospel of John from me (I said I’d only give it to him if he would read it).

 

It was a very busy outreach.  I’ve just got back, and my voice is a little hoarse.  Thomas was very busy as well.  Thomas is French, and I often goad him to do street outreach, as I often encounter French people without good English.  Well, today Thomas had a full gospel chat with 2 Frenchmen, pictured!  That pleased me so much!

 

I praise God for the great opportunity to share his love this week.  Limitless.  There are not enough labourers.  Praying for more!

 

---

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Wednesday August 7th 2024 from 1300-1500

Johnny and Hung continuously serving at Sunnybank as a regular commitment to be on mission with God. The high frequency of bus has always been a hindrance for having long chats with people there. Nevertheless, the gospel has been spread to non-believers and assurance of salvation has been clarified and affirmed for 95% of Christians we met on the street.

1) Inchi an Australian Born Indian who has family settled down in Brisbane Sunnybank area as such he commutes to UQ by bus via the Green Bridge. His family is non-religious but the gospel message appealed to him and is willing to pray and ponder for the next step of action faith.

2) Two young men from Nepal doing nursing here in Brisbane. They were also very open to and receptive for the gospel message.

3) Next approached a Thailand lady but no time for the gospel at all but still manage to pass her a tract.

4) Had a long chat with a Cantonese speaking mature aged lady who claimed herself a Buddhist. She is quite stubborn, subjective and narrowed minded. Nevertheless still manage to share gospel and point out how it is different from all other regions.

5) Asik from Bangladesh appeared friendly and open for a chat. He was willing to take selfie with me and took a tract to read,

6) A Japanese like young lady reacted too dramatic for my approach and had resorted to reject by fleeing from my presence.

7) Chan couples have Just arrived in Australia from HKG . They was excited to meet me as a HongKonger, They declared themselves Christians but lack assurance of salvation only feeling 80 % certain they can go to heaven. It was clarified just in time before their bus arrived.

8 ) Then caught uop with a Vietnamese refugee lady who has come already for 40 years ?, but without any religion following. . She found the gospel message logical and have common sense in guiding people to realize first their need for a Savior then searching for and accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord of Life.

9) Finally another Vietnamese girl studying at Griffith and was complete open to and receptive for the Gospel.

---

Toowong (QLD) Team

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday Aug 6th 2024 from 1330-1430

The weather turned much warmer as Winter is about to end. As normal Johnny and Hung served faithfully with many gospel sharing divine appointments as recap below: -

1) Ric from Cambodia is a Buddhist. But he is still open minded to hear the full gospel affirming no one is perfect and we all need a Savior.

2) Noah from Canada is non religious despite a biblical name. He showed initial reluctant to hear anything about religion but I choose to share my testimony and how the Christian faith gives me peace and inner joy despite of my cancer relapse. He turned receptive at the end and even took a tract to read.

3) A girl moved from Melbourne to Brisbane was delightful to have a chat with me. Though I could not finish with the gospel but she appeared receptive and took a tract.

4) Then I caught up with a Malaysian English speaking who is doing mechanic engineering here in UQ. It was a friendly chat though time also not allowed to finish the full Gospel but a tract was given at the end.

5) A local senior Aussie showed his care and concern about HKG. It ended up our conversation was being circle around Hong Kong. Still managed to handed him a tract at the end.

6) Then caught up with Eddie an Indian who came at the age 6. He loves his Indian culture and can still manage to speak Hindy with his parents. He also appeared open to gospel message and too ka tract at the end.

7) A married woman from Hong Kong who has just arrived with here husband now looking for job. She quickly declared her Christian faith affiliation. And she has perfect 100% assurance of salvation possibly because of the teaching of her mother church in HKG being North Point Christian Mission Alliances, but she has stopped going to church for a while. I encouraged her to look for a church around in St Lucia and Toowong area.

8 ) Lastly, I approached an Italian blood Medical Science student. She and parents were both born in Australia but her Grands Pa came from Italy to Australia. She is non-religious, but again very open and receptive to the Gospel and took a tract at the end.

---

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Wednesday July31st 2024 from 1300-1500

Today, Johnny did solo Street outreach as Hung had a day surgery appointment at the nearby Sunnybank Private Hospital to deal with his relapsed cancer treatment.

Here is one of the divine appointment between Johnny and a Christian from East Africa who has no full understanding of salvation that required clarification especially on the assurance of salvation by grace through faith.

---

Toowong (QLD) Team

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday July 30th 2024 from 1330-1430

It was only one day before my day surgery to tackle the relapse of bladder caner spreading into the ureter near the outlet to the bladder. I was instructed to do admission at 0630. And my medical procedure would possibly the 2nd in line. I might need a longer rest post-operation. Thus I still managed to do all my routine activity including lap swimming then to Toowong for the weekly street outreach. Today I had to do it as a singleton as both Johnny and Edwin both have important personal matter. The Toowong bus stop was being crowded with long queue at around 1330. I simply go to the end of the queue which allowed me more or less the time for a gospel sharing when my gospel target had moved to the head of the queue ready for the bud, then I returned to the end of the queue until this rush hour was over. Recap below is the Battle log for today.

1) First was a girl from Nanjing, Jiangsu she was a bit timid but still happy to let me finish the full gospel and took a tract at then end.

2) Joseph, a 4th year Computer Science UQ student, is born in Australia with an Aussie Dad and a French Mum. It is a Christian family though Joseph did have an adult unformed conversion moment to have accepted Christ. But He only has 60% of assurance of salvation which was clarified in good order.

3) Then I caught up with a girl Huang? from Suzhou and had a casual chat first. The bus unexpectedly came too quick to clear up the remaining queue so can only pass her a tract.

4) Then I was ignored by a Mainlander girl despite I showed friendliness to connect.

5) Bikes was born in UK but was brough up in Australia then returned to UK home in the Southeaster area once for a brief visit. He is non-believers, but appeared very open to the Gospel and was moved by my personal testimony as such he was happy for a selfie with me.

6) A Maninder named Zhu who claimed to have a chat with me some time ago. I still managed to revise the message with him and he claimed he is a Buddhist. It more so gave me the link to explain Buddhism is actually no religion but a kind of religious education to guide people to practice goodness which exactly is not a solution to tackle sin. He was happy for my explanation.

7) Then I had a long chat with a girl with wide world view exposure despite she is from Wuhan . She avoided the pandemic as she was in USA then, She returned to China momentarily than came over to do post grad study in Sociology.?She has contact with Christian and church in USA though she is still a seeker. The gospel sharing helped her to understand the real need of all good persons to be saved by Jesus alone.

---

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Wednesday July 24th 2024 from 1300-1500

Today, only Johnny and Hung the most long time team mates served at Sunnybank. God kept electing first timers for us to reach and those we met at least once to come meeting us letting us to follow up on their status. God also led a big group of high school students led by a Korean teacher to gather at the bus stop waiting for the school bus. It gave us chance to hand out tracts to all of them with the silent consent by the teacher. God is always good and at work for the best effect.

1) I was led to approach a ME Muslim who is a dumb person. He was friendly and tried to let me know he cannot speak but I still told him he could just listen and then he wrote on the iPhone that he is a Muslim. I nevertheless still kept communicating with him till the bus arrived and he politely took a tract.

2) Next I caught up with a young mainlander Chen from Hanzhou who arrived only very lately. Again time was now long enough for full gospel and a tract was given to him.

3) Then a large group of high school student gathered at the bus stop. Johnny quickly started handing out tracts which were welcome by most students. I manage to share gospel directly with them. But the group was too dynamic and not all could remain focused to listen, but finally Mathew a Christian student listened humbly till the school bus came and promised to share the gospel to his school mates and too ka selfie with me.

4) Then connected with an elderly woman migrated to Australia from mainland China for 10 odd years. She behavio0r a bit impatient but still showed politeness to interact with me on the issue of her assurance of salvation which was not 100%. She showed no real joyous emotion despite I guided her to re-established 100% of assurance of salvation,

5) Then I cam across a Japanese from Tokyo who comes for work. Time just allowed for a rapport building friendly chat and a tract at the end.

6) Then I was led to approach an Indian girl who responded to all the questions positively with a yes and took a tract at the end.

7) Last but not the least, Aries, a Filipino lovely lady attending St Stephen Church in he city, though of Catholic background, but already has her assurance of salvation clarified. Today , just a follow up chat to ensure her spiritual status is in good order. She show appreciation for our ministry and voluntarily take selfie once again with me.

---

Toowong (QLD) Team

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday July 23th 2024 from 1330-1430

Praised and thanks God that Edwin can join the Toowong Gospel outreach team regularly on Tuesday during his Bible College school terms and attend the Sunnybank team during term break. With him, God uses us collectively to reach out to many more people predominantly students. The number of people flow increased apparently after the beginning of a new college term. As usual, there were mainly first timers but from time to time second timers or more for our follow up chat. Recap below is the Battle log of Hung.

1) UQ Student from India who has heard before so did the revision and follow up chat again and found no argument against the logic

of the gospel message.

2) Next a Southeast Asia English speaking girl possibly from Malaysia, happy to chat with an open mind.

3) Then caught up with a young lad from La of USA. Reason coming to Australia is just to widen his world view and exposures as such relatively open for a chat on life issues.

4) Next is a girl by the name of Chan who has already come to Australia from HKG for 4 years. She basically is a Christian but weak in spirituality and lacking assurance of salvation. But she was happy to be introduced to Power to Change to gain access to more Christian support.

5) Met a Post graduate Master degree student from NanJing. Since he has been in Australia for a long time as such he is comparatively open minded for chatting on faith issues.

6) Declined by an Aussie girl as she was occupied in a phone conversation. She still politely ask for pardon and obviously she knew who we are and felt not offended.

7) Then came across another Chinese lady who claimed she is readily a seeker. However, she is still biased by the mindset of good deed count as such she cannot accept the idea that a good person only committed one sin will got same eternal death punishment with those very wicked bad guys with million of sin. Pray for another future follow up encounter to help removing her blind spot and spiritual pride.

8 ) Lastly caught up with a French girl who appeared cheerful to have a chat even about the gospel. The bus arrival cut short the gospel sharing and pray for future continuous follow up opportunities.

---

Christchurch (NZ) Team

I’ve got a bit of a spine tingling report to give.  It’s a practical reminder of what we already know through logic and scripture: that God is sovereign, and that the Holy Spirit is active in seeking and saving the lost through the blood of Jesus.  All glory to God for his justice and mercy.

 

I’m so encouraged.

 

Our church has finished working through the book of Romans, and we are now working through the book of John (morning), and Colossians (afternoon).  The afternoon gathering is new for our church this year.  I’ve always had it in my head that it would be wonderful to talk to someone on the street between gatherings, and then have them come to the afternoon gathering.  Well, that happened today.

 

For the morning gatherings, we are currently in John 3.  Jesus talking to Nicodemus.  We have been learning a lot about ‘regeneration’.  The work of the Holy Spirit in making a person spiritually alive to be able to respond to the gospel.  We are saved by grace alone.

 

After the teaching, the men gather to discuss the teaching.  In my group, one of the guys mentioned his brother in law.  Over the last few weeks, he has seen an openness in him that he hasn’t previously had - which is wonderful.  I’ve actually  talked to this brother in law before, maybe 6 months ago?  So, I rejoiced to hear this report.

 

As I arrived on the street, Andy was already there, engaging a group of teens with the gospel.  After that, I had a brief conversation with Andy, I mentioned the report about the brother in law.  After prayer, we decided to pair up for our conversations for the outreach.

 

There were a lot of people about, and so we had many opportunities.

 

We decided to go for a wander, it was my turn to start a chat, and as we walked along Cashel Mall, I was considering who to approach.  Approaching people can be scary, and I didn’t approach some that I could have.

 

Eventually, we were walking down High Street, and a guy went past. I tried to engage him, but he ignored me, even after my 2nd attempt.  We kept walking when another guy went bounding pass, crossing our path.  So I said, “Excuse me, can I ask you a question?  What do you think happens after life?”

 

He stopped to engage.  And then I recognised him.  And so I said, “have I talked to you before?”  It was the brother-in-law.

 

I was astounded.  There is indeed a change in this young man since I last talked to him.  He was keen to talk, and so we went to a coffee shop, the 3 of us.  We spent about an hour (maybe less), talking through the gospel, motivations, and the basis for reason: the Bible.

 

As the conversation wound up, I invited him to the afternoon church gathering - his sister would be there!  He said he would come.  I’ve heard that many times before, so I was naturally skeptical.

 

I turned up at the afternoon church gathering, buzzing, and gushing at the sovereign opportunity God had given.  What if I had stopped and talked to some of those “scary” people.  What if the guy prior had stopped to talk.  This opportunity would never have happened.  And yet it did.  God is in control.  And even if it hadn’t, God would use other means.  We can rest in the knowledge that God regenerates (saves) people.  We have our part to play, but God saves.

 

The church gathering was starting, and he hadn’t arrived - not surprised.  When I saw his sister (and her husband) arriving, I went out to tell them about what happened.

 

And then, he turns up!  The preaching on Colossians 3 was timely, and wonderful.  And after the formal part of the gathering, we were able to hug and catch up.

 

This young man still has gospel truth to process.  My prayer is that he will see that truth: the seriousness of his sin, and the wonder of Jesus.  That he would repent and believe and become a member of the church - to use his gifts as God has given him (we all have a part to play), in service of others, and ultimately for the glory of God.

 

We were also on the streets on Friday.  I had 3 stand out conversations.  All 3 of them were very natural to start and felt like they were meant to be.  Strangers passing at a point in time and a life changing message shared.  God uses our feeble efforts for his glory as he radically redeems people who simply don’t deserve it.  His mercy is amazing.

 

On Tuesday, I was also in Riccarton with Roger.  I was able to have a follow up chat with the guy I had coffee with the previous week.  This time I cut to the chase.  He had ‘another’ gospel to share.  A gospel of ‘special’ knowledge, that couldn’t be shared quickly.  I resisted that based on clear teaching of the word of God (Colossians!)  He ended up leaving in a bit of a huff.  There was no openness in him at this stage, yet, he has heard the law and the gospel.  God can use our feeble efforts in his timing.

 

I also had an encouraging message from Roger tonight: “One of my contacts from Rotherham St [Riccarton outreach] turned up at Life Church today. Do you remember lending me a biro for him to write down church details ?”  Yes I remember!  Wow, double encouragement for today!  Spine tingling.  God is love.  He saves people, he is building his church, and we get to be involved!  Don’t give up hope for your loved ones.  Keep praying for them, keep sharing the gospel with them.  Who knows who he will bring in their path, just at the right time.  We serve a just and merciful God!

 

---

« Prev | 1 | 2 ... 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 ... 282 | 283 | Next »

---