Battle Log

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Sunnybank (QLD) Team

Wednesday, 2 October, 2024

Posted by Posted 2 October 2024, 7:15 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Tuesday October 2nd 2024 from 1300-1500

Today , only Johnny and Hung teamed up to do the regular street outreach. Team work was experienced between Johnny and Hung and of course all under the sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit. After Johnny having approached a lady in English, whom declined to chat. But a moment later, Hung was inspired by the Spirit to approach her once again but this time in Chinese. And Bingo, she is Cantonese speaking from Guangzhou as such Cantonese is the best native tongue the lady was to be connected with. Similar kind of team work happen all the time amongst the gospel outreach warrior for the goodness sake of God's kingdom mission. As for Hung, recap below was his Battle Log.

1) First approach was a Japanese again chatted before here.

2) Then connected with a Vietnamese student initially ok but became reluctant when touching upon sin. Pray for his courage to face the issue of sin.

3) Then Connected with a lady from Hsiamun who is a UQ student. Her bus arrival cut short our chat but she was willing to take a tract.

4) Another lady first approach by Johnny mistaken her as foreigner, but the Spirit moved me to approach her again in Chinese to find out she is actually Cantonese speaking people from Guangzhou that best be approached by me. she is also UQ student.

5) Aston a mixed Chinese and Vietnamese young man who was born and brought up here as such he appeared more open and receptive to this first time gospel message and show appreciation by taking a selfie with me.

6) Then I caught up with a Vietnamese registered nurse of Buddhism background. She works in PA Hospital and was polite to listen.

7) Another Aussie born Cambodian who was open for a chat.

8 ) Rejected seemingly by two Indian girls

9) Lady Cheng ,from a Vietnamese Migrant family yet she can speak good Mandarin . She was also very open and receptive to the full gospel message.

10) Jurgen with a Middle East blood look though Australian born advised we chatted 4 years ago but she was humble to let me revise the whole message and felt like more closer for the faith.


Toowong (QLD) Team

Tuesday, 1 October, 2024

Posted by Posted 1 October 2024, 7:01 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday October 1, 2024 from 1330-1430

Johnny rejoined me at Toowong after a short vacation break. It seemed that Johnny had got more meaning chat while my targets in general appeared more polite and keep a distance to the creation God of the Universe as well as us the people of all Nations. Recap below is the Battel Log of my gospel Outreach: -

1) Maddy, a local Aussie Girl, polite to let me share her the full gospel but did not take the tract.

2) A Mainlander from Shandong but surprisingly open with reasonably good interaction.

3) Another Local Aussie girl of UQ doing Genetic study, she also listened but not that receptive.

4) Another Mainlander Girl from Shandong who was willing to chat but was interrupted by the quick arriving bus.

5) Indian man chatted who claimed we had chatted before and decline to have any more follow up talk.

6) Aria a local Aussie girl from Gladstone who was open and responsive to the gospel.

7) Midair and Irene, a Bangladesh couple appeared open and interactive to the gospel message

8 ) Another local girl chatted before but no interest to talk on the same subject but I switch talking about fair dinkum

9) Ali an Indian Muslim who typically believe Mohammad the prophet is a perfect human being. I anyway was able to establish that no one single person in the human race is able to claim self-perfection. All needs salvation and help from God through the sacrificial death to redeem us from the bondage of sins


Christchurch (NZ) Team

Sunday, 29 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 29 September 2024, 2:01 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

So, I know I missed last week's report.  A couple of reasons for that: 1) I didn’t end up doing any street outreach that week, mainly because 2) my daughter got married!  Congratulations!

 

Also, since the Wellington trip, I’ve been feeling usually tired.  It’s like I’m recovering from a cold, but I never actually had a cold?

 

Anyway, by God’s grace, I was able to make it to all 4 street outreaches this week.  This report will cover those outreaches.

 

So, going back to Tuesday afternoon, in Riccarton with Roger.  I was feeling flat, and it must have come across to those passing by, I didn’t get many bites.  Things were going the opposite way for Roger.  All he needed to do was blink and he was into a good gospel conversation!  I rejoiced at the good chats he seemed to be having!

 

I didn’t bring my flip chart, concerned about the wind, and so I decided to go for a wander up to the bus stops.  In the midst of the many rejections, I encountered a lady who, as soon as she saw me coming to her, said, “I’ve got no time for God”.  I crouched down next to her and  asked why, and she started to list all the loved ones in her life that had died.  It was certainly tragic listening to the list!  I decided not to try to take an intellectual approach to addressing this.  Instead, I empathised, agreeing that death is a tragedy.  She started to tear up.  She was wallowing in bitterness toward God for allowing evil - which is not the right response.  Sadly, I didn’t get to continue the conversation, because she took a phone call, and then her bus came.  I can’t remember if she accepted a tract.

 

But, what is the right response?  We rightly grieve death, but we have the sure hope that God is going to bring perfect justice upon all those that do evil, and the hope that that justice won’t fall on us in hell, because of the mercy of Jesus.  There will be resurrection and the hope of the new heavens and the new earth, with no more mar of sin or death.  Knowing God’s mercy allows us to respond to trials and suffering in our life with forgiveness, rather than bitterness.  We need to be patient for justice, grateful that God’s patience with us has led to us knowing his mercy!

 

Maybe my empathy surprised her?  Maybe the fact that I didn’t flinch at her bitterness will open the door for her discussing this deeper, grieving her losses appropriately, and hearing the gospel - from someone else?  Who knows.  What I know is, God delights to show his strength through our weakness.  I take much assurance from that, and am emboldened to persevere in my feeble efforts to proclaim the gospel.  May you be encouraged to do the same.

 

I found Friday’s afternoon’s outreach difficult as well.  I was with Andy and Roger.  My prayer was that I would be able to engage with people who really wanted to talk about the difficult questions of life.  I didn’t have the energy for battles.  God answered my prayer in a sense.  I had a couple of interesting conversations with young ladies, they were short chats, because they were honest about the fact that they were suppressing the reality of God because, basically, they wanted to be their own god.  They enjoyed life on their own terms and were happy to be ignorant of the consequences.  So, I didn’t end up having any battles, I just let them move on when the time was right.  One of them did take a tract, the other refused.

 

Saturday’s outreach was different.  I had a handful of wonderful conversations.  It never ceases to amaze me that what seems so foolish (standing on the street corner with a flip chart) can lead to something so powerful (someone grasping the wonder of the gospel of Jesus).

 

The first was with a young Chinese lady.  What was interesting was that she was getting baptised the next day, and yet, she still wasn’t clear on the fundamentals of the gospel.  Our short conversation cleared that up, I could tell, because she started nailing the check questions perfectly.  We fell into natural conversation about other things, in light of the gospel, and at one point she even teared up.  She wanted my contact number and later she sent me a text to thank me for the chat.

 

The second one was with a young Chinese guy.  A local pastor had actually contacted me about him earlier in the week, and we had been talking via Messenger.  A face to face chat would be easier, so I encouraged him to meet me during my Saturday outreach - so he did.  We were able to sit down and start chewing the Bible together.  It was a long chat.  Part way through, a couple of young guys took interest in my flipchart, and so I was able to share the gospel with them while this young Chinese guy watched.  You see, he is wrestling with complicated questions, and in turn seems to be missing the obvious stuff - I wanted him to see the simplicity of the gospel through the conversation with the other 2 guys.

 

He ended up walking with me to my car, and then I ended up giving him a ride home.  Although he is understanding key concepts, I don’t think he’s really got it yet.  I’ll be praying for him!  And I hope I get to talk more.

 

I spent an hour in the city on Sunday afternoon.  I handed out some tracts, but not many takers.  I had a brief chat with a Christian guy, and then an even briefer chat with a young Sikh lad.  May God prosper our feeble efforts!

 

Oh, I forgot to mention the protest at the Bridge of Remembrance on Friday.  It was an interesting mix of: climate change, racial rights, sexual ‘rights’, anti-government rhetoric.  But under it all seemed to be a root of ‘rage against God’.  I had an interesting conversation later with a pro Palestinian protester.  He was very quick to try to drag the conversation into a ‘fight’.  But I wouldn’t let him, wanting to go deeper to the root of why we ‘fight’ in the first place (sin), and the ultimate solution (Jesus).  Amazingly I was able to share the law and the gospel with him, and I was encouraged by that.  May God save him, and change him.  SDG!!!

 


Sunnybank (QLD) Team

Tuesday, 24 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 24 September 2024, 6:01 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Tuesday September 24th 2024 from 1300-1500

We were overjoy to have like minded Street outreach warrior joining us to day. They are from Methodist Church in Melbourne led by Rev Hung. Only two of them joined us at the bus stop with the rest of the team stayed inside the Sunnybank Plaza shopping mall. There were three turning us from our local team , namely Johnny Shu Yi and Hung. There were kind of team work amongst us chatting with the same people at different time reinforcing their understanding of the gospel and assurance of salvation, i.e.. for the Serbia girl. Recap below is the Battle Log of Hung

1) First approach was a Korean lady. not sure what religion adherent she is. But open and receptive to the gospel.

2) Then a lady from Taiwan who has heard the gospel and chatted with us a few time with initial reluctant to revise but finally allowed me to repeat the gospel message.

3) The chatted briefly with A person from Guangzhou .

4) A lady with a daughter also claimed having chatted with us but I still managed to rekindle her memory on the Gospel.

5) Another Mainlander young man claimed he has done comparative religious study . He asked if I am Catholic or protestant. I counter check if he understand the doctrine of being saved by grace through faith. but his knowledge about many religions seems to have no direct advantage for him to dwell firmly on the only true one about Christ.

6) Then I caught up with a girl from Jie Jiang Ningbo and have a good chat.

7) Next were two UQ students girls from Anfei and Hunan , rapport was build because of my many year of ministry spent in Changsha and Hengyang.

8 ? Corner a young man from Hong Kong at young age as such no good Cantonese anymore. Surprisingly very humble, open and receptive to the Gospel and more than happy to take a selfie with me.

9? The I caught up with a Kenya Christian who are in lack of 100% assurance of salvation but clarified , then our chat was interrupted by a long phone call,

10?Fianlly caught up wit a girl from Serbia of Eastern Orthodox background. Shu Yi actually had chatted with her before that I was not aware of then as such she can have 100% assurance of salvation which was actually taught and prompted by Shu Yi. Her reason to have 100% was still not clear that needed my further explanation.


Toowong (QLD) Team

Tuesday, 17 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 17 September 2024, 5:25 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday Sept 17, 2024 from 1330-1430

After resting for last Tuesday, Hung and Johnny teamed up again to serve at Toowong. UQ is still not in term break as such there were still heap of students around for outreach. Recap below is the Battle Log of Hung.

1) Brendon a Malaysian Christian attending Hope church at the campus. He received Christ here in Brisbane but his understanding of gospel is all clear with 100% assurance of salvation and.

2) Next I came across a Mainlander Yang? from Suzhou. I could build rapport with him as I visited his home town even before he was born. He also had a chat with us before so I took it as a follow up chat with many of my life testimony which successfully brought him a step closer to accepting Jesus.

3) Then I caught up with a girl from Guangzhou who looks like a minor tribe girl. She appeared polite to listen but only half heartedly.

4) Then I caught up with a Hong Konger young man Yip? who has not heart of Gospel before. but he appeared very open and receptive to the Gospel and willing to take a selfie with me so that I can easily recognize him next time.

5) Then I met Leong from Changsha I could also build good rapport with him because of my close connection with ICC in Changsha, , he also was open and receptive to the Gospel.

6) Two Indians claimed not students and not good at English. But still managed to share the gospel to them.

7) Then had a brief chat with a Singapore girl just the beginning of the gospel message.

8 ) Finally caught up with Sam from Cambridge, UK who claimed himself an Atheist. But I still managed to share him the full Gospel and left him with a tract.


Christchurch (NZ) Team

Sunday, 15 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 15 September 2024, 4:31 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

Glory to God, the week in Wellington, working with the Church: Calvary Wellington, seemed to go well.  A lot went on, so I won’t be able to write about it all, instead I’ll hit the high (& low) points that come to mind until the hour I have for this report is up.

 

So, from Monday to Friday, we were on the streets in the Wellington region for 6 hours a day.  Monday morning we were at Naenae (pronounced “Ni Ni”), then in the afternoon we went over to Wainuiomata.  On Tuesday we were in Upper Hutt all day.  On Wednesday we were in Wellington city: outside Massey University in the morning, and then in Cuba Street in the afternoon.  On Thursday we were in Lower Hutt: outside Queensgate Mall in the morning, and then in Petone in the afternoon.  Finally, on Friday we were back in Wellington city: Lambton Quay in the morning, and on the waterfront in the afternoon.

 

Not counting Craig, I don’t think there was a single outreach where we didn’t have local church members with us - except when we were outside Massey Uni.  So it was so great to serve alongside them for the week.

 

Also, on Sunday afternoon, I ran our regular Christchurch city outreach between church gatherings.

 

I have to admit I’m feeling sleepy now!  I’ve been sleeping really well since I got back (not that I slept badly while I was away – thank you so much Royce for letting us use your home for the week, that was super appreciated!).  I’m certainly looking forward to my day off tomorrow!

 

A big shout out to Roger, Andy and Craig - who were real troopers through the week!  Thanks for hosting us in your area Craig and Jan.  And Craig, thanks for all your organisation and coordination.

 

Okay, now for some details.

 

In Naenae I remember a lot of resistance, although I remember a receptive chat too.  It was with a young couple who had just jumped into their car.  The highlight chat among the resistant ones was the final one of the outreach.  I approached an older man who was walking towards the shops.  He thought I was going to beg from him!  Haha, I must fit in as a streetie!  Anyway, we got into a good chat.  It turns out he is an Atheist - although he went to a church for about 3 years, up until recently.  The reason he stopped, he considered himself a fraud, being there just for the fellowship, and even enjoying the songs, but still an Atheist.  He really liked to talk!  But I was fascinated by his story.  I was curious, how can an Atheist spend 3 years in a church community and not be challenged?  When the opportunity was right, I was able to gently challenge him, starting with the building / builder analogy.  He gently resisted, but I held my ground, not letting him distract himself from reality.  Sadly, he flared up, and he revealed the real reason for his Atheism: his hatred for God: “Why would he let all this death occur?”.  He moved on, not letting me respond.  So sad.

 

In Wainuiomata I was paired up with June.  There were not a lot of people around, but we moved down the street and walked into what felt like a ‘divine appointment’.  2 young people were sitting outside a shop enjoying a drink.  It turns out they are brother and sister.  June and I had a long chat with them, working through the law, the gospel, and all the check questions.  We then answered questions, and even shared our testimonies (they asked).  They were very open.  She seemed to have a few ‘click’ moments during the chat, and even made a profession of faith.  He wasn’t ready to commit, saying he needed to “tick some boxes” - what he meant is that he needed to work it all through in his thinking.  It turns out that the Mormons had been talking to them.  It was an awesome chat.  What was really cool was when I bumped into this young man again on Thursday in Lower Hutt!  We hugged, and then I popped him a check question.  He got it right!  So he remembered what was important.  I asked if he had “ticked all your boxes yet”.  He said he had, last night!  I pointed him to the Bible (June gave them a copy of the gospel of John each), and the local church.

 

I’m running out of time to write and I’m only on day 1 of 5!

 

In Upper Hutt I had a great chat with a young man who had been heavily influenced by the cult: World Mission Society Church of God.  The gospel really clicked for him.  In the afternoon I had a good chat with some Mormon Missionaries.

 

Outside Massey was great.  A really busy time.  The highlight chat was with a young agnostic: Tim.  He resisted all the way through the conversation, and yet I could tell he was challenged.  He asked all the hard questions he could.

 

On Cuba street there was much resistance.  I vaguely remember a chat with a young Chinese guy.  I say that, because I saw him again on Friday (2 days later) on Lambton Quay - he acknowledged me but didn’t stop.  But then on Friday evening, Craig, Jan, Andy & I went to a Chinese restaurant for fellowship before heading to the airport.  The guy at the counter was the same young Chinese guy!  He remembered me, although I only barely remembered him.  Later, he came to our table and said he really appreciated the way we worked while on the street.  He took another gospel tract.  May God convict him and convert him!

 

What a great trip, but it’s so good to be home.  I had a great time on the street with Elijah from my church this afternoon.  I gave Elijah room to have his own gospel conversations.  He had 2 opportunities to put his apologetics study into practice.  He was able to share the gospel with his 2nd chat.  Well done Elijah!  Keep it up bro!

 

Glory to God for allowing us to do what we do.  Please continue to pray for our feeble efforts.  May God use them to show his strength in saving many.

 


Christchurch (NZ) Team

Sunday, 8 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 11 September 2024, 6:22 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

I’m out of routine, so this report is late.  It’s currently Wednesday, and we are in windy Wellington.  We are: Roger, Andy and I.  And we are serving alongside the church: Calvary Wellington for outreach this week.

 

But, this report is about last week.  God willing, I’ll write about this week's activities in this coming Sunday’s report.

 

Last week we had 3 street outreaches.  Roger was with me in Riccarton on Tuesday.  Andy & John were with me in the city on Friday.  And then Friday evening, the 3 of us flew to Wellington.  Saturday morning we ran a couple of evangelism training sessions in the morning, mainly with members of Calvary Wellington.  And then on Saturday afternoon, some of them joined us for a street outreach in Lower Hutt to put what we had been learning into practice.

 

So, going back to Tuesday.  I’m going to have to look at my photos to see if I can remember any of the details!  Ah, that’s right, it was dry and cloudy when we started the outreach, but by the end of the outreach, it was pouring with rain.  I remember having 2 long chats.  The first was with a young student, he had a very long beard!  He is studying brewing at Lincoln University, he is involved with the Christian Fellowship group there, and yet he is agnostic.  I spent my time in conversation reasoning with him on why he is actually suppressing what he knows about God, the law, and the gospel.  He wasn’t convinced.  I leave him in God’s hands.  The law brings knowledge of sin, and the gospel is the power of God for salvation.  I can’t remember the other conversation now.

 

On Friday, with Andy, in the city, the outreach started with a conversation with 2 overseas English students.  One was a Muslim, I forget which country.  The other was Japanese, and pretty much an Atheist.  Andy started the conversation and I was with him.  The Muslim became engaged, and the Atheist became disinterested.  I ended up moving out of the conversation to engage others (I later re-engaged the Japanese student who had backed out of the conversation with Andy – it didn’t help, he made it clear he didn’t want to talk, and so I respected that).  Andy ended up having a wonderful chat with the Muslim.  Later, at the end of the outreach, Andy had a conversation with a couple that left him, in his own words, “buzzing”.  It was with a young man who had a Catholic / Orthodox influence in his life, and his Mother (who joined later in the chat) who understood salvation was by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus' sacrifice alone.  He came to grasp the gospel, and was challenged to forsake his works, she was stoked that the conversation occurred!

 

The training on Saturday seemed to go well.  I was encouraged by the turn out, considering that I had run the training the previous year.  This year I structured it differently, and tried to go deeper on some of the points.

 

The outreach in the afternoon went really well, in spite of the wind!  There were many opportunities to plough and sow.  I’m sifting through those memories now: I’ll report the glimpses that I remember.

 

An older man went past.  When he realised I was religious, he made it clear he wasn’t interested and moved on.  Then he turned, and mentioned that his father had been religious: exclusive brethren.  This had caused much division in his family, so he wanted nothing to do with religion in his life.  He was friendly, and I did my best to hold him, but he moved on.  But then, about 5 minutes later, he was walking past again, and we sparked into light conversation again.  This time he stayed, and he opened up to going deeper in the conversation.  He still believed in God, heaven and hell.  Yet, he thought you had to be good to get to heaven.  I was able to take him through the law, and challenge him on that.  I seemed to be making progress, before he had to move on.  I can’t remember if he took a tract or not, but I was grateful for the opportunity.

 

Another memory is of talking to a young man with a Catholic background.  A standard law & gospel chat ensued.  But soon after, 3 of his friends came along.  I was able to engage all of them.  1 didn’t believe in God, but the building / builder analogy clicked for him.  He opened up to the gospel conversation, even though his 2 friends disengaged (1 became a bit silly).  It was a great chat.

 

I spoke to some people at the bus stops.  The final chat was with an elderly man who was very Catholic.  Sadly, he didn’t engage in my attempts to share the gospel.  I ended up listening and dropping seeds as best I could.  He seemed a bit lonely and appreciated the opportunity to chat.

 

Okay, I think that covers it.  Please keep us in prayer as we continue to labour with Calvary Wellington in many locations across the Wellington region this week.  Glory to God alone!

 


Sunnybank (QLD) Team

Wednesday, 4 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 4 September 2024, 6:24 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Sunnybank on Wednesday September 4th 2024 from 1300-1500

Again just Johnny and Hung teamed up to serve at Sunnybank. Johnny had many fruitful chats including an over half an hour to 45 min chat with a Christian from Sudan asking many theological questions. Hung did a short round as needed to make prearrangement with the hospital for BCG chemo therapy starting next Wednesday.

1) First led to chat with a man from Uzbekistan. It is a Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic. It's known for its mosques, mausoleums and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean.

2) Then a long chat with an elderly from Guangzhou, China who claimed we had a chat 3 years ago but he kept seeing us in Sunnybank. Mindset was hard to change that he insisted all everyone can do is just a good person and don't care about anything. I nevertheless used cancer treatment to illustrate that sin , even one in a life time still will have serious consequence of eternal separation from God.

3) Dan from India now studying at Griffith appeared receptive and open for the gospel. receptive

4) Then another long follow up chat with Mr. Li ?from Taiwan as he had chatted with Johnny ?many time before. Working hard to change his mindset as a good person.



Toowong (QLD) Team

Tuesday, 3 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 4 September 2024, 6:19 PM by Hung Kwan. Permalink

Battle Log of Operation 513 at Toowong on Tuesday Aug 27th 2024 from 1330-1430

Thanks God that Edwin was able to join Johnny and Hung at Toowong and we made a good team to get as many conversations as it was led by the Holy Spirit with good result in general despite occasional rejections still happened to test our faith and perseverance. Recap below was the brief battle log of Hung.

1) Ping an ABT Australia born Thai who appeared very open and receptive despite he claimed to be a Buddhist. Showed appreciation for taking a selfie with me.

2) Next with a young man from Tokyo, Japan who was willing to chat though not too keen on the gospel message.

3) Then approached a Local Aussie girl but just have time for a brief chat and handing her a tract

4) Then caught up with a mainlander whom I chatted before but he was not in the mood to have a follow up chat.

5) James from Ipswich who was very keen to hear the gospel message as such a friendly selfie at the end.

6) Next was an Indian school girl again I have chatted before. She was however busy in texting.

7) Then have a long chat with a Malaysian girl of Muslim background. But she was also all open and receptive to the Gospel.

8 ) Next was Basroma from Mumbai. He was very keen to chat about faith despite he himself is a Hinduism follower. He was however moved by my personal testimony how Jesus saved me and gives me internal peace despite facing Cancer relapse. He also was happy to have a selfie with me.

9) Alfaro a Muslim from Indonesian but was also open for chat of gospel and Christianity and admitted that Jesus is the logical answer for the forgiveness of our sin by dying for us on the cross but rose from death to be king of the new human race.


Christchurch (NZ) Team

Sunday, 1 September, 2024

Posted by Posted 1 September 2024, 4:33 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink

God has given us another week of his patience.  Another week of street outreach is complete.  It was a more difficult week.  I had less chats than I usually do.  I was encouraged this morning, in my local church gathering, by the corporate reading of the Bible.  We are tracking through Acts:

 

- Acts 16:14 esv

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

 

It encouraged me, because it's God who opens hearts to receive the gospel seed.  It doesn’t depend on me.  Yes, we have a responsibility to preach the gospel, but God is in control of salvation.  We can rest in that.  Even when things don’t seem to be going well, we can just put our heads down and continue to plough and sow.  God may bring no increase - that’s up to him - his justice will still be magnified.  If he does bring increase - his mercy will be magnified.  Either way, we will praise the Lord.  The work he does in us to obey, and persist - that also brings him glory.  We can be satisfied in him alone.

 

Roger was sick on Tuesday.  So it was only John and I out.  I didn’t bring my flip chart, deciding to work at the bus stops.

 

I had a very large group of high school boys come to me.  They wanted to make fun of the preacher.  It grieves me to think about it.  Because there will be a day, when they are alone, facing God.  There will be no jokes then.  I wasn’t put off, I did my best to engage them anyway.  When they got bored, they moved on.  Some wanted tracts, I said I’d give them one as long as they didn’t throw them.  I think I gave out about 5.  Soon after, one of them came back, and gave me back a tract - he said his friend had thrown it.  Who knows, maybe one of them will keep it.  Maybe in the future they will read it?  The gospel is the power of God for salvation.

 

Later, a young man at a bus stop gladly took a tract and wanted to chat.  There was an openness about him as I shared the law and the gospel.  He was talking about some of the struggles in his life.  Late in the chat, he revealed he had talked to me before.  I think he said it was a year ago.  He wanted my contact details.  So I gave him my number.  I haven’t heard from him as of yet.  May God open his heart and save him.

 

I talked to a young lady who was on a break from her job in the mall.  I talked to a young high school student, who went to church but wasn’t clear on the gospel - he thanked me.

 

Paired with John, I was able to talk to a couple of guys: 1 was adventist, and the other catholic.  Later, John shared with 3 young students.

 

It’s funny, reflecting on that outreach now, I was able to talk to more people than I remembered.  God is good.

 

On Friday, Roger and Andy were with me in the city.  A windy day.  Andy seemed to have a particularly good chat with two men from China (pictured).  We also met a new open air preacher.  He spoke for a long time, I listened for a bit, and he rotated over scripture and gospel truth.  I was encouraged.

 

On Saturday, I was only out for 30 minutes.  I had 1 short chat, and handed out some tracts, but it was so slow, I decided to head home and do some online outreach instead.

 

Sunday (today), I had Joseph and Elijah with me.  First day of spring and a lovely day!  Lots of people were out and about.  But it was slow from an outreach perspective.  At the start of the outreach, the few opportunities we had met with opposition.

 

Yet, we persisted, and by the end of the outreach, we had had some good opportunities to share about Jesus.

 

I’m looking forward to a day off now.  God willing, we will have another week of his patience to be salt and light.  I will also, God willing, be in preparation for the evangelism training this coming Saturday, up in Wellington.  Thank you for keeping us in prayer.

 


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