Battle Log

Wednesday, 8 July, 2020

Posted 8 July 2020, 6:03 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Still plenty of rain about on Tuesday and Wednesday, but there were enough breaks in it for outreaches to Riccarton and the city to go ahead.

On Tuesday I started with some online outreach before meeting Roger in Riccarton.  I didn’t take any notes, and I talk to so many people online, I just can’t remember any of the specific conversations.  But something in my memory suggests I had a run of open hearted people to talk to (in contrast to Saturday).

But I did take notes when I was in Riccarton.

My first interaction of note was with an older lady.  Her demographic doesn’t normally stop, so I was surprised that she did.  When I asked her what she had to do to go to heaven, she said, “believe the gospel”.  I instantly assumed I was talking to a Christian… but she wasn’t.  She was an ex-mormon who still had “works for salvation” engrained.  Sadly, she didn’t stay for me to explain the true gospel, but she said she would read the “After Life” tract I gave her.

Next I had a lengthy follow up with an elderly lady - a doctor who had been a missionary in Africa (I think I’ve written about her before?).  We discussed justification in depth.

Between conversations I was standing next to my flip chart, when a car came round the corner.  The girl in the passenger seat instantly recognised me, and she tapped on the window a few times.  I smiled, thinking I might know her.  But then she gave me the finger as she went past.  I felt like I’d been punched in the gut, but then I felt honoured that I’m even recognised… and why I’m recognised.  All this happened in a split second.  I have no idea who it is, but I genuinely want the best for her.  (I prayed for her at the revival prayer meeting that evening.)

I then had an intellectual tussle with some vegan’s.  They resisted the clear proof that God exists.  I mentioned a few times that they didn’t have to stay and talk with me - but the guy kept wanting to discuss.  They heard the law and the gospel.  It felt like I didn’t get through, but at the end, the guy shook my hand and thanked me for the discussion.  Maybe he will think about it?  I leave them in the hands of God.

By the end of the outreach the rain was falling, I stuck around, and I’m glad I did as I guy stopped to talk.  It turns out I’ve talked to him twice before - once in the city, and once in Riccarton (about a year ago).  I didn’t remember him (he said he used to have long hair).  He was from Colombia.  He wanted to go through the flip chart again, and was keen to allow me to go in depth - even in the rain!

While this was happening, Roger had a good conversation with a Muslim man from Somalia (pictured).  Roger also had lots of good conversations through the outreach.

Wednesday I was feeling tired and timid.  I was in the city.  To get myself going, I prayed and then I parked myself at the southern entrance to Cathedral Square to hand out tracts.  Within moments I was into a good conversation with two skater girls (school holidays have started).  From then on, I ended up having follow up conversations.

I got home in time to join the Aussie team for online outreach.  I had some great conversations.  A highlight was with two girls from Texas who were trusting in their goodness to get them to heaven, came to grasp the gospel (justification through faith alone in Jesus alone).

And this chat with someone I couldn’t see or hear (but they could hear me), it’s interesting reading their side of the conversation:

Stranger: Hi
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: I think we go to god and god will take care of me
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: You have to be responsible and not do bad stuff
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: No
Stranger: Maybe a brush from my mom though
Stranger: No
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: I would be guilty
Stranger: Hell
Stranger: No one
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: Was it evs husband I forgot his name
Stranger: Santa
Stranger: He was hung or nails to the cross
Stranger: I really don’t know
Stranger: Hell
Stranger: Oh heaven yes
Stranger: You have to be responsible and don’t do anything bad
Stranger: Jesus?
Stranger: He died
You: TRUST
Stranger: Yes it actually does I’ve never thought about it really
Stranger: Agreed
Stranger: TRUST
Stranger: God
Stranger: Jesus ?
Stranger: He died
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: No but thank you for teaching me this
Stranger: Yes u can it’s ok
Stranger: Heven
Stranger: Beacuse Jesus died for him to cross to heaven
Stranger: I would feel grateful for him risking his life to save me
Stranger: No way I would thank him
Stranger: Yes
Stranger: Yes it does
Stranger: Yes me and my mom always go to church but now we can’t beacuse of corona
Stranger: I don’t remember I always read it with my mom but she’s been busy
Stranger: Yes
You: "ESV Bible" in the app store, or at ESV.org
You: it's free
You: start in John - in the second half of the Bible
Stranger: Ok thank you
Stranger: Low country
Stranger: Catholic I think
You: to find a good church in your area: 9marks.org/church-search/
You: needGod.net
Stranger: Thank you really
Stranger: Bye 👋
You have disconnected.

Very grateful for God’s great patience holding so we would have two more days to reach people with the message of his mercy!  Praying for fruit, and that it would glorify Him alone.