Battle Log

Friday, 28 December, 2018

Posted 28 December 2018, 10:49 AM by Glen Richards. Permalink

One day, it's a drought, the next it's a down pour.  That's how it felt between yesterdays outreach and todays.  Yesterday, no one was interested in stopping for a chat, but today it was non-stop conversations!  A shorter outreach today, as most of the team are away on holiday, and I am heading off for 2 days camping, this afternoon, myself.  Praise God for re-creation.

The outreach started with a fire incident!  Luckily it was a false alarm, but it did provide opportunity to hand out tracts.

After some walk up gospel conversations in Cashel St and Hereford St, I set up my flip chart at the entrance to Cathedral Square.  This is a great spot on Friday's as there are lots of stalls and food carts in the Square.

Some highlight conversations:

1) This one was devastating: an older man was keen for a chat but shared that he had terminal cancer and only had 6 months to live!  I shared my heart felt condolences, and listened to him share his story.  But sadly, every attempt to swing the conversation to eternal life was swiftly shut down.  And he wouldn't accept a tract.  There is nothing more I could do, but while he is alive, there is still hope - I pray that God would continue to bring him upon the path of Christians who he will be open to listen to the gospel.  It could be you.  Are you ready?

2) I then had a series of conversations that all rolled into each other.  It started with a young man walking right up to the flip chart and wanting to know what it was about.  He seemed to understand the message, but, sadly, there was a resistance to it.  Then another man on a bike stopped and wanted to know what it was about.  He was willing to sit down and wait his turn!  But when the first man had left, and the man with the bike had his turn, he also seemed to understand, and yet, sadly, also rejected it.  Yet they both seemed to appreciate what I was doing.  My prayer is that God would use the gospel seeds sown today - and the law, which ploughs the heart - to bring a conviction of sin and lead them to repentance and faith anyway.  I've done my part, it is in God's hands.  Finally, while I was talking with the man on the bike, an old work mate walked past and wanted to chat!  I couldn't talk to both, and so, sadly, I didn't get to have that chat - but he did take a tract.  When it rains it pours! ;)

The outreach ended with preaching in Cathedral Square in speaker's "corner".  I started a bit earlier than normal, as a 2 man band has started playing when we normally preach on Fridays.  But the local buskers tolerate us, and allowed me to share the gospel with any that could hear my voice.  I was then able to have a follow up conversation with a lady who had listened.  Our resident heckler turned up, just as I was finishing up (good timing!).  I thank God for the freedom I had to share the gospel today.  What a privilege it is to have this freedom!  A work has been established in Christchurch, I want to encourage you to come out and get involved!  No experience is required, God uses people of all gifts, abilities, and ages to share his simple message.  Please get in touch today.