Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Christchurch (NZ) Team
• Page 33

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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 12:30pm - 2:30pm - Riccarton (corner of Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St)
Sun 1:30pm - 3:30pm - City (corner of Colombo St and Cashel St) - only 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month.

Contact Glen Richards or Andy Barlow for more information.

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A busy weekend of outreaches including another special outreach, this time to Christmas in the Park on Saturday evening.

But first, in the morning, a team of two headed to Cashel Mall.  There were many Christmas shoppers out and about.  My beautiful wife, Ruth, was the other member of the team - and it’s so encouraging having her join me more often!  She was handing out tracts while I would field the conversations.  Afterward we talked about how we can be so fearful of just handing out tracts.  Ruth reflected back to when she joined the Sparks in the Park outreach at the beginning of the year and how she was too scared then to hand out a tract.  But now having become more familiar with community outreach like this, she now finds it a lot easier.  The key seems to be: just keep coming out and getting a feel for it till you get comfortable enough to take the next step.  So be encouraged, if you are one of those who find outreach terrifying, to simply come and observe to start with.  God is with us!

There were thousands of people at Christmas in the Park.  And only a team of four to reach this mighty harvest field.  We paired up and focused on “walk up” on the outskirts of the event for a couple of hours.  We were in pretty much constant conversations with small groups of people - as seen by the pictures.  It was nice to hear some Christmas carols being sung in the background, and even the name of Jesus coming from the speakers - if only the gospel could be fully proclaimed!

Checking questions played a vital role in at least one of those conversations.  Two guys with a Christian background but, amazingly, hadn’t heard the gospel, and were relying on their good works to get them to heaven.  After hearing the precious gospel message, the checking question revealed they hadn’t really understood, as they still thought good works were the way - it’s so ingrained!  After labouring with them, they eventually seemed to show understanding.

In another conversation with a group of three guys, one of the guys started dominating the conversation and constantly pulling the conversation down rabbit trails.  We used a tactic where we split the conversation in two.  I talked to the dominating guy, while Andy stayed with the other two.  The technique worked!  And the gospel message was delivered to both groups.

Sunday was warm and overcast.  It was nice weather to share the gospel in.  A team of five were in Cashel Mall: My wife, children and I! :)  It’s so encouraging having them join me so often now.  Long may it continue.

The girls focused on politely handing out tracts, while I had some wonderful conversations with people.

My first was a walk up with a man from Scotland.  He was slow to warm up to the conversation, but was very engaged by the end of it.  There was a lot of apologetics and I had to listen a lot as he processed the arguments he was hearing.  Opportunities to share the law and the gospel came along very naturally.  It was a very enjoyable conversation and we parted ways with a multiple handshakes.

Many people said “No” to my attempts to ask them a question.  But there were those that did stop - including a young couple, that believed in heaven and hell and thought they were good enough to go to heaven.  They heard the bad news, and then understood the good news - a checking question confirming they understood - first time.  It turns out the guy was Catholic, so I took the time to emphasize that we are saved: by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone.  They both took follow up tracts.

There were many other conversations in the two hours - a fruitful time of ministry.  But this log entry is now too long.

Looking forward to a rest tomorrow - still recovering from a very busy November of gospel ministry.  Praise God for rest.  All glory to him for any fruit from the labour.
 

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Thursday was hot!  Friday was cold.  And there was much outreach on both days.  Thursday saw an extended outreach at the Eastgate bus stops as well as the outreach at the Northlands bus stops.  Friday we had the Gospel + Abortion outreach in the morning, then open air preaching in Cathedral Square at lunch time, before moving to Cashel Mall in the afternoon, and then an evening outreach in the city.

There were many gospel conversations at the bus stops.  Some highlights:

I approached a lady in a wheelchair and asked her what she thought would happen after life.  She responded saying she was a Muslim.  I warm conversation started.  And, sadly, it turns out that her husband had been shot three times in recent mosque shootings.  He survived.  I was able to express my sympathy and concern, but her bus arrived before I had any opportunity to discuss the gospel.  But she took a silent missionary as she went!

I had an interesting conversation with a young couple.  They seemed to think it was weird that I would want to talk to them.  They asked if I was in a gang.  I said yes: my local church - it’s a great gang to be a part of.  I then asked them if they were in a gang.  The conversation proceeded in a unique way - but I was still able to work thought explaining the gospel until their bus came.  He accepted a silent missionary as well.

The final highlight was a conversation with a young man who had literally finished probation that day.  So the courtroom analogies I was using was hitting home.  He was very engaged.  I’m convinced that he understood the gospel, but he was certainly weighing the cost!  I was encouraged.

I also had an opportunity to follow up with the taxi driver I mentioned a few weeks ago.  He said that you can’t change your religion overnight… so he has not trusted in Christ so far.  I will keep praying for him.

On Friday, the gospel + abortion outreach, outside the hospital, ran as expected.  There were opportunities to share the gospel (although briefly), there was some support, but much opposition.  One lady in particular was murdering me with her eyes.  She didn’t look happy at all!  But at least she has life - unlike the many preborn people who are murdered day after day in our nation.  It is a privilege to shine the light of the gospel into this situation.

I also had an opportunity to follow up (again) with the guy who works in IT in the hospital (I think I mentioned him a few weeks ago).  He was going into the hospital - but not for work!  He had been in a motorcycle accident.  I asked him if his life flashed before his eyes - he said that the car flashed before his eyes!  I’m glad he is still alive and has an opportunity to trust in Christ.  He had to go, but he has my contact details and I told him I’d be available to talk any time.

In Cathedral Square, Marty (OAC) and Andy preached when there was a lull in the other noises in the area.  One young school boy took interest in Marty’s preaching, and so when he left, I caught up with him to ask what he thought.  This turned into a very long conversation: well over one hour, if not two.  He had many very genuine and deep questions about life and Christianity.  I did my best to answer his questions, and had multiple opportunities to work though and explain the gospel.  It was a very rewarding, but tiring conversation.  I’ll be praying for this young man.

It was wonderful to be able to have my wife, Ruth, join me for the evening outreach.  Our children were staying with a cousin.  We spent the time walking the streets and approaching people to share the gospel.  At the end of the evening we were reflecting and decided to do a count of all the people we interacted with.  To my surprise it was well over 20!  Not all of those interactions involved complete gospel conversations - but there were many.  It’s amazing how many people just two people can reach in two hours.  Follow up tracts were distributed and, as always, we leave the results in the hands of God.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the Christchurch (NZ) team.
 

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Monday was a day of rest for me.  I slept for a good amount of the day as I recovered from three busy weeks that included: the Tell Me Conference, the Canterbury A&P Show, and Schoolies on the Gold Coast.

But it was back to work on Tuesday.  Roger and I were in Riccarton in the afternoon.  And on Wednesday I was in the city on a warm but windy day.

In Riccarton, I had four sets of conversations, and passed out many tracts.  Roger seemed busy on the other side of Rotherham Street.

The highlights included a conversation with a young man who was very keen to engage with the question: What do you think happens after life?  I had to be very patient in this conversation, as he was very quick to pick up what I was saying and would start responding before I could finish and then reel out his thoughts on the matter.  He was resistant to being able to know anything for sure - esp. God.  But eventually conceded that there had to be a universe maker.  But he didn’t like this idea at all and made a beeline for why God commanded some people to be put to death in the Bible.  Again as I tried to respond, he cut me off not allowing me to explain, and then his anger came raging to the surface - although he contained it quickly.  But he made some pretty nasty comments - which I chose not to respond to, since he wasn’t looking for answers anyway.  I simply offered him my hand and wished him a good day.  To his credit, he shook my hand.  I also offered him a tract, and a way to get in touch if he wanted to talk further - I wasn’t surprised when he refused.

I also had a fascinating conversation with a man from Brazil.  He thought about the after life a lot and was keen to chat and hear about the hope of eternal life found in Jesus.  In this conversation, checking questions came to the rescue.  After hearing the gospel, I immediately asked him what the way to heaven was.  And his response was good deeds!  It took some labouring, but an understanding of the free gift of salvation started to permeate into his mind.  It was encouraged.

Wednesday was a busy day of outreach.  With the high winds, I didn’t bother with my flip chart.

My first conversation was with an Indian construction worker.  He considered himself very good, having never lied, or stolen… but he did finally admit to being angry!  It turns out this guy was going to a local church, but it was so ingrained in him that good deeds were required to go to heaven - he had gone into denial.  I patiently laboured with this guy, using checking questions many times, and I could see that he was finally comprehending that salvation was a gift by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin.  He had to go to a meeting, but I’m glad he gave me the time to explain.

I then decided to head towards Ara, and on the way, I approached two guys on a break from work.  One wasn’t keen to talk at all, but the other was - and he knew his Bible well!  But he was evasive on a clear answer on what we have to do to go to heaven.  So the conversation focused on faith and works and what was required for salvation.  It turns out this guy is seventh day adventist, and I’m fairly confident he considered works to be required in some way, where the Bible clearly teaches we are saved by faith alone.  I hope he was challenged by the conversation - he took a tract.

Down at Ara I had a number of good conversations with groups of people before heading back to Cathedral Square.

After a late lunch I decided to open air preach, as there were quite a few people hanging around.  It was great to have two hecklers right from the get go - they were very challenging - in a good way!  I kept losing my track as I was thinking about what they were saying and how to respond.  One of the things they didn’t like was my use of the word “we” when I said “we all know that God exists”.  They insisted that “I” knew, but they didn’t know.  I didn’t back down on this point.  At one point, I highlighted the broken Cathedral in front of us and explained that “we” all know that it had a builder - the heckler agreed, and I rested my case.  We will have no excuse on judgement day, because “we” all know God exists, and “we” know we fail to keep His standards by our conscience… but there is good news found only in the sacrifice of Christ Jesus - all glory to Him. :)

PS I nearly forgot, I approached three young men after I had preached to talk to them, and offer them tracts - it turns out they are Christian's from Brisbane and knew all about Operation 513.  One of them knows team members from Brisbane.  They were encouraged to get involved!
 

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I flew home from the Schoolies outreach on the Gold Coast on Saturday and was able to enjoy being with my local church family for gathering on Sunday morning.  It was extra special as three people were baptised afterwards in the early afternoon.  Praise God for that.

So Sunday afternoon’s outreach in Cashel Mall was delayed, but still went ahead - with six people getting involved.

We split into pairs.  One pair did walk up around Oxford Terrace and the Bridge of Remembrance.  Another pair handed out tracts down by Colombo Street.  And the other pair ran a flip chart in between.

I was on the flip chart, but I set it up back a little and intended to use the same technique that had proved so successful while at Schoolies, namely: “May I ask you a question, it’s a deep question - what do you think happens after life?”.  To my initial shock, it went down like a lead weight more often than not.  Most people, as soon as I had said: “May I ask you a question” just gave an instant and flat: “No”!  A stark contrast to Schoolies, where most people were keen to chat!

But I wasn’t to be deterred, and managed to have many good conversations anyway.

Two sets of Christians stopped and were encouraged by what we were doing.  One even came back with a gift of some nice looking sausage rolls for the team to eat - much appreciated.

I was able to have three full gospel conversations during the outreach.

The first was with two teens one of whom was a Christian with a decent grasp of the gospel.  But her friend wasn’t a Christian and so heard the gospel today.  Afterwards, the Christian had a question about homosexuality which we were able to discuss.

The second was also with two teens.  This time, I let the newbie who was with me share the law - you did a great job! :)

The last conversation was with a group of three tourists, and I think this was the one time that “May I ask you a question, it’s a deep question” worked!  :)

The team enjoyed a hot chocolate / iced coffee afterwards to enjoy some fellowship.  All glory to God.
 

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Thursday and Friday saw the final two days of the three day Canterbury A&P Show outreach.  There were no more slow starts, with many people stopping to chat keeping the team busy.

It was wonderful to have some newbies join the team on Friday.  It can be pretty daunting when you are new so some training occurred, and observation is fine.  When ready, parts of the conversation can be handled by the newbie.  But, to my delight, it was wonderful to see them all stepping up and doing full gospel presentations with the flip chart in no time!  Well done!

Early on Friday we had a mini emergency!  A young lady collapsed while doing the flip chart with one of the team.  I had to call 111 - but the sister of the lady had managed to fetch an ambulance team in short order.  Luckily she was ok.  She was eventually sitting up, and then hopped onto a mini ambulance to be taken to the first aid station for observation.  We are not sure of the reason for the collapse, but it is a reminder of the fragility of life and the urgency to share the gospel.

So many conversations occurred over the two days, it became very tiring and some pacing was required.  On Friday, all I had to do was stand next to the front flip chart for a few minutes, and someone would stop and want to know what it was all about.  One of the team described it as being like a bear fishing at the edge of a waterfall, and just opening its mouth and letting the fish jump in!  Hundreds of people will have heard the gospel!  Praise God.

A highlight from Thursday was being able to follow up with an international cricket player whom I had handed a tract to outside the hospital earlier in the year.  It actually started with his older daughter being very interested in the flip chart - another of the team talked to her, while I talked to her father about the gospel.  At the end of the day, the daughter came back, as she had been processing the gospel message she had heard, and had questions she wanted to discuss.  How wonderful!

The highlight from Friday was probably sharing with two young ladies who had a Christian background, but hadn’t heard the gospel articulated so straightforwardly.  She seemed to grasp that it is by faith in Jesus' sacrifice that saves us, and not our works.  It turns out she had gotten involved with a Mormon church - which doesn’t teach this - and she could now see the contrast.  She was asking about good churches in her area and was encouraged to get in touch so that we could help her with this.

The good thing about so many conversations is that time goes by fast.  And so before we knew it we were packing up the site and praying and giving God the glory for the opportunities we had.  Thank you Lord!

Saturday was a much needed break for me, and I’m now in Brisbane (flew over early Sunday morning) and about to head down to the Gold Coast for a week of outreach there.  Your prayer is much appreciated for the Operation 513 team.  Thank you!
 

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Tuesday was different to usual for the Christchurch (NZ) team.  Matt and Ryan from Brisbane were with me and so we decided to make the most of the day with outreach to four locations: Eastgate bus stops, Northlands bus stops, Riccarton, and finally in Cashel Mall.  Others joined us for the last two outreaches.

All the outreaches were eventful.  Some highlights from Eastgate include: on the negative side - an elderly man raising his stick and tell me to f--- off multiple times (I turned to him after he had listened to me sharing with a couple who had just left to catch a bus).  I was actually encouraged by this - it just shows the reality of the battle we are in.  But: on the positive side - I had two wonderful conversations with mothers with young babies in prams (at different times).  One understood the gospel and responded expressing a desire to accept the gift of Christ.  The other let tears flow down her face - I asked what was going on, and she indicated it was that she was understanding the good news of the gospel.  Praise God for that!  But she is in a battle, as she currently has other influences in her life: including from the JWs.  She was so grateful when I offered her a Bible - and she accepted it.

Riccarton was fascinating.  We got into some long conversations with some high school students - including with some who had an understanding of the gospel, but were currently rejecting it.  I also had a wonderful conversation with some other high school students - including one who was a Muslim, but who seemed very interested in the gospel.  Everyone else in the team also seemed to be having good gospel conversation opportunities as well.

Wednesday was the first day (of three) of the Canterbury A&P show.  Nine and a half hours of tiring but wonderful outreach for a team of seven.  It was a slow start, but eventually everyone was busy with sharing the gospel.  At one point, six sets of conversations were going on at the same time.  And even when the stalls next door had closed up for the day, we were still going strong.  So many gospel conversations, they all blur together in my memory.  God knows them all, and we leave the results in his hands!

 

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Saturday saw the sixth annual Tell Me Conference happen!  It was a real blessing to have people come to hear Ryan Hemelaar, Evangelist with Operation 513 in Brisbane speak on common gospel analogies he uses in witnessing conversations, Nick Clevely, Elder of Covenant Grace Baptist Church in Timaru speak on the doctrine of repentance, and Phil Johnson of Grace to You answering various questions.

After the conference, many of those who attended also joined in on an afternoon outreach in the city.  We started with an open air gospel presentation using trivia, and giving away money to draw a crowd and give an illustration of the gift of salvation found in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.  I was pretty nervous with all the people watching, and wanting to give a good example.  It could have gone better, but I made it through.  The lady who offered to go for the five dollar note was a good sport, in spite of the fact that she was uncomfortable.  We shook hands afterwards.

Matt also preached, and one of the attendees of the conference also had a go!

After this, we moved to Cashel Mall and spread out to share tracts, use flip charts, and pair up for one to one gospel conversations.  There were so many Christians in the mall that the people walking through were getting approached multiple times!  So wonderful to see.  Many tracts were distributed, and it was wonderful to look down the mall and see many gospel conversations happening.  For all those first timers - well done!

It was also wonderful to see my own daughters freshly inspired to share the gospel with the lost!  They paired up with others and were boldly offering tracts to passers by, in spite of their fears.

A team of eight also gathered for the Sunday afternoon outreach in Cashel Mall.  Light rain did not damper the enthusiasm of the team.  Again we paired up, those with experience mentoring those with less (my daughters!)

I was very proud to watch my youngest daughter start a gospel conversation via a flip chart for the first time (with assistance from Thomas) - pictured.  I was also very encouraged to hear that my other two daughters had also been bold enough to start gospel conversations.  Well done!

Thank you to all those involved with the Tell Me Conference.  May Christians continue to be encouraged and equipped for spreading the good news of Jesus' sacrifice for sins to all those that need to hear it (everyone!).

God bless you as you step out and faithfully and lovingly share of the hope within you wherever you are!
 

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Thursday and Friday produced some very special gospel conversations.  Three in particular.

The first occurred at the Eastgate bus stops.  I had offered a tract to a man who upon reading it became very hostile.  I tried to calm and reason with this man but was unsuccessful at both.  I ended up taking his tract back and ending the conversation for this reason.

Dejectedly, I turned and saw a lady waiting for a taxi with her dog.  I assumed she had observed my exchange and therefore wouldn’t be interested in talking to me, but I approached her anyway, and offered her a tract.  To my surprise she accepted and was keen to chat.  She was waiting for a taxi that would let her dog in the car.  I was able to show her how we know God exists before a taxi came to end our conversation.  But she had become very interested, and said she would read the tract.

I moved away from the taxi’s down to a bus stop, looking for a new conversation, before heading back past the taxi’s.  I was surprised when one of the taxi drivers called me over.  To my encouragement, he had some of our tracts already!  We had handed them to him on previous outreaches.  Well he had read them, and wanted to talk.  So I hopped into the taxi and we started discussing the gospel.  But then one of his regular customers came out of the mall needing a ride - so our conversation was cut short.  But he gave me his card with his number and asked me to call him.  As he drove off, I sent him a text message so he had my number.

Ten minutes later, he called me.  He had dropped off his customer and wanted to finish the conversation.  He drove past, picked me up, and then he parked in the Eastgate car park.  He was on a thirty minute break and wanted to hear the gospel, so I pulled out my mini flip chart, and took him through it - beginning to end!  He was happy to receive a Bible!  He then drove me back around to the bus stops where we parted ways.

I’m confident, God willing, that I’ll have opportunities to see him again and follow up.  A very encouraging conversation!

The second started as I was driving from Eastgate to Northlands.  A guy (that I’ve mentioned in multiple logs before) that I’ve had the opportunity to witness to multiple times since I first met him on the last Summer mission (just under a year ago) contacted me wanting to catch up.  He said he would find me the next day when I was in the city on outreach…

On Friday, we had some great conversations with people outside the Hospital during the abortion outreach, where the third conversation was had.  A guy who works at the hospital, and who I’ve talked with multiple times as well came out and wanted to chat.  It was wonderful to see how positively challenged he has been by our conversations, and also by our witness standing against abortion.  To us, it doesn’t seem like what we are doing is very effective.  But he confirmed that it actually is.  He took my contact details.  I hope to see him again.

… and now I come back to the second conversation.  It’s now Friday afternoon on Cashel Mall - and it’s hot!  Andy & I had set up a couple of flip charts when the guy who contacted me the day before turns up.  The three of us found a shady spot and sat down to talk.  And that talk went for the rest of the outreach.  This young man had previously adamantly said he would never be a Christian, because a specific sin is too precious to him to let go.  Well it was clear that he had now moved on from that position and he seems to be seriously considering Christ.  We spent the time answering his questions, trying to clear his confusion on various things, and going over the law and the gospel again.  He left with one of my last Gospel booklets - he received one previously but indicated that he hadn’t read it, and didn’t have it any more.  But he took this one with a different attitude saying he would read it this time - and I’m confident he will.  I will continue praying for this young man, and the two other men I talked about in this log entry.

I don’t know if my writing has conveyed how incredibly encouraged I am by these three conversations - so I’m explicitly saying so now.  These three men sought me out to talk, as the Holy Spirit seems to be working in their lives since they were first challenged by the truth in the gospel!  As part of my job, there is a lot of rejection, disappointment and discouragement - and so encouragement like this is extra special.  Yet no matter the result - the work is worthwhile.  Be encouraged church!  The gospel is the power of God to salvation.  Join us out in the harvest to share this amazing good news!
 

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Today there were two outreaches - both in the central city.  It was a cold day - winters last gasp?

For the first outreach I set up my flip chart in Cathedral Square, and I had quite a few follow up conversations with various people, and a gospel conversation with two girls from Malaysia who were Bhudist.  I was also very encouraged to encounter a young Christian on exam leave who was out looking for opportunities to share the gospel: “way of the master” style.  I was very encouraged!

To end the outreach, I decided to open air preach - as there were many people hanging around speakers corner.

In the afternoon I ditched the flip chart and headed for Ara intending to have walk up conversations.  I never made it to Ara.

I had a wonderful gospel conversation on the corner of High & Hereford Streets - with a young man who grew up in a church, but wasn’t involved at present.  He seemed deeply impacted when I explained that anger was murder of the heart.  I don’t know if this is connected, but I noticed he broke into a sweat on his forehead!  He seemed to appreciate the explanation of the gospel, and gladly took a follow up tract.

Further down High Street, I shared the gospel with a young couple, and then moved over to a group of four young teens.  I recognised one of them, whom I’ve shared the gospel with before - but apparently they had all talked to me before, and said they already had tracts!  But the girl in particular wanted to talk about it, and so a very long conversation was had where I ultimetaly explained the gospel, but was also constantly answering questions about: homosexuality, suffering, and climate change (to name a few).  By the time that conversation had finished, there was only fifteen minutes left in the outreach, and I spent that time handing out tracts on my way back to the car.  One of these outreaches, it will be good to actually make it to Ara - but High street seems to be very fruitful for conversations at the moment - praise God.

Tuesday’s outreach to Riccarton was quieter than usual.  I had a few “half” conversations, some other interactions, and handed out tracts.

The highlight was having a lady walk past who said she had already received the tract I was offering her.  I didn’t have a chance to interact, but later she came back past, and I stopped her asking her if it was that exact tract she had received, and when / where she had received it.  It turns out it was placed in her letterbox last month.  I asked if she had read it, and she had - but it had obviously had no impact on her.  But I had an opportunity now to follow up, and briefly go over the law and the gospel with her, and bring some urgency to the message in the tract.  She said she would read it again.
 

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How is it that I’m sitting here writing yet another log entry?  Time is going so fast.  Next thing you know we will be in eternity!

The variable spring weather seems to have passed, and we are having lovely summer days now.  It was nice on Saturday, and nice and hot on Sunday.  Both days we were in Cashel Mall.

Although on Saturday I started in Cathedral Square, but there seems to be a lot more people in Cashel Mall now on the weekends.  There were animal rights activists at the Bridge of Remembrance, Hare Krishna followers down by Colombo Street, so I planted myself in between.  Part way through the outreach, a whole lot of dogs and their owners walked through the mall.  Saturday is turning into a really interesting time to be there!

The most interesting conversation from Saturday was with one of the animal rights activists.  He loved logic and was very keen for a conversation.  But when I used logic to explain how we know God exists.  He became agitated, and then angry - I don’t think he realised how angry he was getting.  He had conceded that there must be a creator of the universe, but he was demanding to know why that creator should be the God of the Bible.  But my answers only seemed to feed his anger.  So I asked him why he was getting so angry.  He said, “you’re not answering my question”.  So I said, “well I don’t want to answer your question because you are getting angry, we seem to be stuck in a loop - maybe we should call it quits?”.  He agreed, and shook my hand before leaving - he had a tract that I gave him at the start of the conversation - and I did actually get a chance to briefly explain the hope of the gospel.

For some reason, his anger deeply impacted me.  Through experience, I’ve become used to dealing with it (it doesn’t happen often) - but from time to time it gets to me.

Sunday saw a team of four.  Jermaine had brought his two daughters out with him, and they shared tracts while Jermaine and I ran flip charts.

Early in the outreach, I offered tracts to a couple who completely ignored me.  But further down they accepted tracts from the kids, and that led them into a wonderful gospel conversation with Jermaine!

But I did have some great conversations.  One is etched into my memory.  I did a simple law and gospel presentation with a guy via the flip chart, and it seemed to be impacting him deeply.  But he was resisting.  He wasn’t convinced that it was true, so I circled back and showed him how he knew God exists and the reality of our sin dilemma.  He finally agreed that it concerned him that he would be heading to hell.  And it was then that I explained the glorious gospel - interestingly he already knew it; but the gravity of it, in context, seemed to be hitting home.  He needed to move on, but when we shook hands, he looked me in the eyes and held my hand for a moment.  He had appreciated the talk.  He accepted a tract.  I noticed some time later he came back down the mall on the other side, and received another tract from one of Jermaine’s kids.  Oh Lord, convict him of sin, and save him for your glory!  May I see him again - in your Kingdom!

 

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