Battle Log
Sunday, 11 December, 2022
Posted 11 December 2022, 1:58 PM by Glen Richards. Permalink
A normal week this week. All the usual street and online outreaches happening. Although they all had a Christmas theme. Yes, it is that season again, where I say, “Merry Christmas” over and over while handing out tracts, and when someone stops, my usual opening question is, “what do you think Christmas is all about?” The street outreaches have all been busy, but in different ways.
On Tuesday, I had Roger with me in Riccarton, and we decided to pair up on one flip chart together. But before Roger arrived, I had a special opportunity. A young asian girl stopped and accepted a tract and we fell into a short, yet warm conversation. Her gospel articulation wasn’t the best, but she said she was a new Christian. It felt like a divine appointment in the sense that she had just been praying about her lack of desire to do the things she knew she should: reading the bible, etc. Where I think I helped was bringing the gospel clarity that doing good wasn’t required to be saved – and understanding that would lead to a disciple, if not a desire to study the bible, etc. At least, she really appreciated the short chat! She encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing.
Roger and I were busy. Often one of us would be using the flipchart, while the other was talking to someone else to the side. Great teamwork! I love serving alongside Roger! 2 chats stand out in my mind.
The first was a flipchart chat with a young man. Classic ‘good deeds’ for heaven, but as I took him through the flipchart, his understanding of the gospel brought a shine to his eyes! It wasn’t a long chat, because he wasn’t resistant; but he was extremely thankful by the end.
The second was a chat without the flipchart. A large group of high school students went past, and then they came back. One of them sat on the bench nearby. Roger was using the flipchart, so I went and engaged him - he was resistant. He walked off, and joined his friends around the corner. They were sitting on another bench, so I decided to approach them all. I told them what their friend had said to me, and I wanted to know their thoughts. Game on! They were all in different places. Some wanted to talk, some just listened. Mostly they were resistant. I just went with the flow, and in the process, I was able to share the law and the gospel with them. One of their key questions was about homosexuality. Initially, I countered that with: “I’ll answer that, if you first tell me how we know what is right and wrong.” - that led to a good discussion. I was faithful in explaining why homosexuality is sinful, yet in the context of the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus. Eventually, the kids started peeling off and moving on. And finally the chat came to an end. Later they came back, and went into the SoYo (frozen yoghurt shop). The original kid came out after and approached me again and wanted to know what the flip chart was about. I said I’d be happy to take him through it, but only if he was nice (he had been pretty rude earlier). He had seemed to change slightly - for the better, he was a little bit more sober and respectful. But his mates came out and he ended up moving on with them.
On Friday, rain was threatening, and I was considering cancelling the outreach - I nearly did. But one of the newbies convinced me not to! Hey, if they are keen, so am I!
In the end, the rain held off, which was great! Plenty of people were around, so there were lots of gospel opportunities. This week, Andy paired Izzy, and I paired with Joel (a switch from the week prior). After prayer, Andy and Izzy got straight into a chat. And soon after, Joel and I approached a young high school student from Germany and got into a great chat with him. He was an atheist, and sadly continued to stay in suppression of his knowledge of God. Yet, I was able to share the law and gospel, before we cycled back to discuss the knowledge of God we all have.
After the chat, Joel, John and I had a bit of a debrief. Andy and Izzy were still going with their chat! In fact, for the whole 2 hour outreach, they only had 2 conversations - so great to get engagement and be able to labour!
Joel and I headed down Cashel Mall, and were able to get a few chats started, but no real engagement. Our last chat was okay - law and gospel shared. Glory to God for any fruit; the simple gospel message is the power of God for salvation.
Afterwards, we had a bit of a debrief, as a team, over hot chocs - pictured
Saturday’s outreach in Riccarton was hot, and busy. I was grateful for the shade of the tree. It was busy in the sense of all the conversations I was able to have. No real down time, which is a good thing! I had my flip chart up, but I never used it.
My first chat was with a guy who I thought was going to blast past me, but he ended up accepting a tract. I was quick with my first question, and to my amazement, he answered. Slowly he engaged in the conversation and he ended up hearing the law and the gospel. It was a short chat, but I was able to slow down a bit as he became more engaged. I was really encouraged. I spoke to a girl who is pagan (my Christmas question really got engagement from her: “it’s a pagan festival”). She was resistant, but friendly. In the end, her issue was evil and suffering. She didn’t like God for allowing it. Actually, now that I think about it, most of the chats that day were with people who were resistant. But that’s okay. God can change hearts and minds, through the power of the Gospel!
Sunday’s outreach was busy, but in a different way. In the city, corner of Colombo and Cashel, next to all the people filling through the department store Christmas display windows. I gave out heaps of Christmas gospel tracts! I’d say nearly 100 in 2 hours. I did also have some chats, so not all that time was spent in tract giving. One stand out chat was with a young man from Korea. He had a Christian background (it turned out to be Catholic), he thought his good deeds would get him to heaven, but by the end of the chat, he was articulating the right way to heaven well.
Well, I’ve managed to waffle my way through another report. If you are still reading well done! I know my reports are pretty repetitive. But, that’s a good thing, right? The gospel is going out! Please keep this little ministry in prayer. Without the power of the Spirit, our effort is in vain! Merry Christmas!