Battle Log

Friday, 19 July, 2019

Posted 21 July 2019, 5:52 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Thursday saw the Christchurch (NZ) team back at the bus stops: Northlands and Eastgate.  A team of three - it was great to have Kim of OAC joining Andy and I.  These bus stops are an immense harvest field with pretty much constant opportunity to chat with people who are keen to talk about what comes after life.

Starting at Northlands, my first conversation was with a young man who had just hopped off a bus and was walking past.  He accepted a tract, and the question “do you ever think about what comes after life?” piqued his interest.  He was open to listen, and did so intently as I shared the law and the Gospel.  I then asked if he had any questions, and he slowly but thoughtfully responded with, “no, I’m just thinking it over”.

Another conversation was with a young man who was volunteering at a church, but was not sure about the existence of God (which I found fascinating).  As per Romans 1, I explained how we know God exists - through creation, in the things that have been made - and then presented the law and the Gospel to him.

At this point I touched base with Andy, and he had just had an exciting Gospel conversation with a man who had been reading Christopher Hitchens on his Kindle when Andy had approached him.  Already thinking on such philosophy, Andy was able to provide another perspective!

Moving to Eastgate, as I arrived an older man was walking past.  It turns out he was a retired physicist who sure liked to talk!  Sadly, he was completely closed to a reasoned conversation about God and the Gospel, and decided to disengage early.

But I had a very encouraging conversation with a man from the Philippines, who was Catholic.  He said that of all his time in New Zealand, I was the first to talk to him about the things of God - how sad is that!  He was open to a Gospel conversation and seemed challenged.

My last conversation at Eastgate was a long one.  I handed a tract to a young lady who I expected to not be interested.  To my surprise, she was very interested, and had many questions to ask.  It turned out that someone had given her a Bible (King James) five years earlier (outside her school), and she had clearly been reading it.  She seemed to understand the serious nature of her sins, and didn’t think she would be good enough to go to heaven and deserved hell (which is absolutely true, and very refreshing to hear).  She understood the justice of God, but not His mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So it was my privilege to recap the law, and share the amazing Gospel with her - how we could be justified before God, through faith alone (not works) in Christ.  After this, she had question after question.  She seemed to know she needed to be connected to a church and had only recently started to investigate this.  I’m glad, as assuming she understands the Gospel and places her trust in Christ, she needs discipling!  She gladly accepted a New King James Bible, and other literature.  And what most encouraged me, was that she expressed a deep desire to talk to others about the things of God.  She was excited at the idea of joining us out on the streets!  But I said she needed to get committed to a local church first.  She knows how to get in contact with us - I deliberately left the ball in her court in that regard - I pray that she does.

Friday saw forecast rain hit with a vengeance.  Standing, exposed, in the cold rain outside the hospital holding signs is miserable.  So, sadly, we decided to cancel the Gospel + abortion outreach this week.  Instead, while I was letterboxing, Andy had a fruitful time of ministry outside the bus exchange (under the shelter of the large extended roof).

A team of three gathered in the afternoon for flip charting and walk up conversations in sheltered spots.  All glory to God, we were able to have many opportunities to share the love of Christ, in spite of the rain.

A group of girls walked past me and took no interest in my attempt to start a conversation with a Gospel tract.  It often happens!  But then I turned around and noticed that the girls had all stopped and gathered around Roger’s flip chart (pictured)!  Roger is obviously a much better evangelist than I am.  ;)

My highlight conversation of the afternoon was with a young man I first encountered during the summer mission.  I’ve had at least three other solid follow up conversations with him since then (including today) and I regularly pray for him.  He is blind to the serious nature of sin, and is absolutely unwilling to turn from his sin that he loves.  He is stubbornly holding to the idea that there is nothing after death.  This reminds me (not that I need it) that I can’t convince anyone with logic or reason, but that salvation is of the Lord.  Even though we both strongly disagree with each other, we enjoy engaging.  And we parted ways with a hug.  I will continue to pray for him.