night is coming..

Today I was walking back from lunch and there were all these people gathered looking over the bridge from the train station to the gallery. So I looked over and there was a man sprawled on the pavement with his eyes wide open, paramedics pumping his heart to try to get it started again.
I asked someone what happened and he said the man had jumped...

After that I just kept thinking, I wonder if he's saved? I wonder if he knows that someone cares? I wonder if he knows someone loved him so much that they came and died for him? not so that he'd have death...but life and life to the full.

I was talking to a colleague who was saying suicide is common and it's strange coz it's something i've been thinking about n thinking how there ARE so many people out there who think like that. How they have no hope. No real hope.
And it really dawned on me how short life is. How little time we have to share n how people who we think we might be able to share with in 'our own time' might not be around to hear it...

I can't say it was the most uplifting experience..but it really put things into perspective..n was a really good reminder that there's such great need.
The best thing about it though is..we CAN do something about it. Coz we've been blessed with the privilege of being able to present them with a message of hope..

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
- John 9:4

manna evangelism

Post 30in30, I have made an effort to carry tracts with me in my handbag - now when I shop for a bag, one of the requirements is a 'tract compartment' :D. However, I still chickened out of giving tracts or sharing the Gospel with people I knew or came across regularly (e.g. people who catch the same bus).

On Friday, during the 30in30 briefing, I heard a testimony from a sister that really convicted my heart. You can read the testimony (kinda sorta what what was shared on Friday night) here. She talked about how in previous years during 30in30, she would 'tract and run' and would only choose to give tracts to people she didn't know or didn't have regular contact with (sounds familiar huh?) - and how this year, she made it a point to tract people she knew.

On Sunday, a few of us watched The Way Of The Master (evangelism video series) and again, I felt convicted that during the two years of working at my work, I had only shared the gospel with a small handful of my unsaved colleagues. Even during 30in30, as I was part of the Gospel Rally Skit Team, and had been rehearsing the skit in the weeks leading up to the Gospel Rally, I had Steven and Yorkie's voices in my head who spoke and sung this poem:

My Friend, I stand in Judgement now,

and feel that you're to blame somehow.

On earth, I walked with you day by day,

and never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory,

but never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;

you could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together on the earth,

you never told me of the second birth,
and now I stand this day condemned,

because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true,

I called you friend and trusted you,
But I learn now that its too late,

you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,

and yet you showed me not the Light.
You let me live, and love,

and die you knew Id never live on high.

Yes, I called you a friend in life,

and trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet on coming to the end,

I cannot, now, call you my friend.

But even after all that prompting, I still refused to open my mouth for God and bring up the gospel with my friends. I had no problem talking to strangers at Street Evangelism, or giving tracts to randoms - but talking to someone I knew? No way Hose!Though I really really really wanted to share with them, thee fear of man had such a grip on me that I felt overwhelmed with thoughts of what people would think about me, and hence, just kept my mouth shut. So I guess God decided if I wasn't going to make opportunities, He would give me one - which is what happened this afternoon.

I was walking to the train station with one of the girls from work and she started telling me that she ran into a friend who had recently started going to church. I can't remember everything that was said, but she told me that she had been thinking about going with that friend to church. The opportunity landed into my lap like manna from heaven! I ended up sharing the gospel with her as we walked and she listened receptively. I felt a bit breathless as I was walking and talking, because I was still very nervous about evangelising to someone I knew, but the words were still able to flow out relatively smoothly.

As we got to the train station and started waiting for our trains on the platform, she asked

'So, do you believe that there is something after we die?'
'Yeah I do. The Bible says that there is Heaven and Hell. Those who believe in Jesus and believe that He saved them from their sins, will go to Heaven'
'So those who don't will go to Hell?'
'Yeah'
'Will it be hot down there? Should I pack my sunscreen? (hehe this friend is a bit of a joker) I think I might go with my friend to church'
*My train arrives*
'Cool. But if you want to talk more about this, let me know OK?'
'OK.. See ya!'

God is good. The opportunity just came so unexpectedly which is why I named this post 'manna evangelism'. That little experience made me so happy. As I was talking to her, I couldn't help but think that God had given me the opportunity to witness to my friend, not only for her sake, but for mine as well. It may seem like a small thing to you as you read this, but I believe it was a turning point for me. I just pray that I will be able to have more opportunities to do the same with the rest of my friends too, and that God will continue to give me the courage to open my mouth for Him.

every single thing..

Hey all.
Know this is kinda 'post30in30' but I started late...
coz I'd realised I'd developed a habit of 'tract-n-run' n was using tracts as an excuse to tell myself i'd 'done-my-bit', or even with sharing the gospel n realised after that I'd just run as far as I could, instead of sticking around for opportunities to share about God. So when 30in30 came around I was trying to figure out why I was so reluctant, n then I realised.... I'd forgotten how to love.
So Truc invites me to ur bbq thing and I turn up n realise... u guy's know what it's all supposed to be about,love.
And I meant to say ages ago, that I've been sososososooo encouraged by you all. So yeah, thanks for reminding me :)

So just now...
I was intending to go home early after work coz of family stuff but then my colleagues headed into town so I went in with them and then they kept insisting I join them for dinner n a movie, which I was very tempted to do but then thought....I really should head home.
So I was thinking I hadn't given a tract out today but was figuring that something would come up since I'd go take the bus.
Usually when taking public transport there are heaaaaaps of opportunities but I saw another guy who I'd met at the bus stop before but I missed that bus and so had to take the train. Usually I try and make eye contact with ppl n say hi when I sit down near them to try and initiate conversation but when I got on the train, the ppl I sat next to didn't seem to keen to talk so I left it. Then when I was waiting for the bus at the train station, no eye contact. So I was rather stumped and was wondering if maybe it just wasn't the right timing or something and was thinking I shouldn't try and push it myself. I said a prayer asking the Spirit to guide me and for God to give me an opportunity if He wanted me to do something.
Then the girl who was sitting on the bench leans over and asks me the time. So we start talking and it turns out she's heading to the same suburb, same stop as me and she's going to the same school I used to.
I introduce myself saying, 'by the way, I'm Katie' and she goes....'me too'!
She asks me what I'm up to now, (just graduated from architecture, working now) and then says her sis is doing archi...
and it turns out i know her sis! who went to Churchlands too and was in my brother's year...
and i hardly see her but I'm meeting her for dinner tmr coz she's friends with my colleagues (one of which I tracted with this girl's sis last year)!
so she mentioned her friend might not be home and she might have to wait around for her... so i gave her the tract to read if she was waiting...

so there goes God teaching me again that every single little thing is in His hands!

:)

some of the other things that've happened so far...
- first met this girl when i did work exp with her firm, she stopped after the 1st degree n said she'd do the 2nd one day. when she came back to uni i didn't see her much but tracted her and another girl (the train station girl's sis) when i bumped into her when i went to uni just to collect stuff after i'd graduated. tracted her again this year with a diff tract. met with a couple of other grads in the city to pray and she came along and was very grateful!
- was thinking how absent-minded i am when i read adrian's email about not forgetting tracts the night before and then realising i'd forgotten to refill. had been praying for opps to share with another colleague but thought i wouldn't be alone with her. the other girl left and got the opp to share about the accident and the gospel!
- an ex-colleague n i had a convo about faith just before he left n told him how i didn't use to think it was true. Gave him 'Case for Christ' (lee strobel) n he said he's reading it and he's finding it interesting n thanked me again.
- missed the usual bus. took another, got off at the wrong stop. got lost. ran for a bus. talked to the guy i sat down next to. chatted, emails, shared gospel!
- colleague headed to melb. gave him something to read in the plane
- shared gospel with a girl who i met at my colleague's bday do after she asked me what my necklace was about (cross n a ring)
- ppl from church asking how 30in30 is going leading to more opportunities to share with ppl about 30in30 n the 'treasure hunt'
- shared gospel with someone from primary school
- shared gospel with a highschool friend
- was praying for opportunity as i headed to work. waiting at traffic lights, girl comes up n asks me where tafe is. walkin towards there with her, direct n tract

so yeah, pretty amazed by what God's been showing me and wondering how He's going to stretch me as i've still got more tracts to go...

An Adelaidean Adventure (or two)

It's not much... But hope it encourages some people? :)

The Hopefuls have been gathering faithfully every Friday over the last few weeks for some Street Evangelism in the city. It has been a great blessing, especially when we meet back and hear the stories people share about the opportunities they had to talk with people and share the Gospel or defend the faith, sometimes a single conversation with a non-Christian could last for over half and hour! Praise the Lord!

Last week, we had the smallest numbers yet, an army of four. Undaunted, we prayed and set out to do God's work. At first we split up and went our separate ways, giving tracts to people and sharing the Gospel, but somehow, we all ended up meeting together in the same place. Without much discussion, we stood together outside Adelaide Uni and started to hand out tracts. We gave out tracts as often as people walked by, one by one, the people on that path were TRACTED. What was incredible was how receptive and appreciative the people were to receive the tracts, "Oh, sure. Thanks for that!" was a very common answer. Soon, the number of tracts in our hands dwindled, we had only a few left, it was then we realised in the short hour and a bit, the four of us had given out about 70 tracts! That means, by God's grace, 70 souls have been reached! It was unbelievably awesome! Now, we know that it's not about the quantity, but by the enthusiastic response from the tractees and the sheer volume of tracts given out, we were very much encouraged and the words "Thank you, Lord" could not depart from our lips. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Zech 4:6b

On Sunday, we organised a Street E in the suburb around Church. A group went to a nearby shopping centre and started to distribute tracts and our panel discussion flyers there. That evening, I was in church doing some work and I heard the doorbell ring, not giving much thought to who it could be, I bounded down the stairs to open the door. A lady was standing outside and I was a little puzzled, she started to talk to me and said, "Hello, I am here for the lecture." I had no idea who she was or what she was talking about, then I looked down at her hands and she was holding the panel discussion flyer! Wow. A brother in Christ and I started to talk to her and found out it was only her third day in Adelaide (which explained the accent), and she was very interested in coming to listen to the panel discussion, so enthusiastic that she had come five days too early! She even had a street directory in her hand so that she could find our church. Amazing? I think so! God had brought her from wherever she had come from (I didn't get to ask her), and moved in her heart to come to our church, seeking God even in a strange and foreign country. "I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high." Psalm 7:17

All in all, I believe that 30in30 has been a blessing to many of the YAFers who have participated. Through the testimonies shared, the experience gained and the lessons learnt, our hearts and souls have been uplifted, may we all go away with the realisation of how important and needful it is to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know our great and mighty God. YAFers, give thanks unto the Lord for all He has done, pray for all the people who have received the tracts, especially for the lady who wants to come for the panel discussion, pray also for ourselves and let this truly be our heart's desire, "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," Ephesians 6:19
Thanks and God bless!!

--
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalm 62:5-8

Primary School kid loved This Was Your Life tract

6:20pm
Lining up at McDonalds in Garden City to buy some dinner. One primary schoolage kid wearing a Mt Pleasant Primary School shirt was behind me in the line. I turned around and gave him the tract "This is for you, its a comic book". He thanked me, and later i heard while still in the line, his friend asking him what it was. Later when I finally got my food, I turned around to walk away and he looked up and said smiling "This is interesting!"

Thank God, this is the most encouraging tract I've given out and as promised to God, I will testify of this as an encouragement to others. It is a good idea to give the This Was your Life tracts to primary school kids.. they will enjoy it and read it receptively!

FREE Bus Trip When You Have a Tract

Yesterday morning, I was catching a bus to the Murdoch train station. As a bus approached, I tried to indicate to the bus driver but then I noticed that the bus was 000 - out of service. However, God made the bus driver stop and asked me if I was going to the Murdoch Train Station. I said I was and he said I didn't have to pay. As I got off the bus, I handed him a tract "Here's something for you to read" which he received happily.

Chicken meets the "Beast"

Lack of sleep, traffic jam, hungry - so many "reasons" why not to meet God this morning, but nevertheless, I found myself at the park doing quiet time… somehow. When I arrived, I saw a man at a park bench; he had the homeless look. Decided I better do my hit and run before my quiet time in case he leaves without me noticing. Approaching him, I was somewhat scared so I asked God to help me. As I got closer I noticed he had a note book in front of him, he was writing a letter. I gave him the tract and told him that's something for him to read, he thanked me for it and asked me what it was, I replied that it was a Gospel tract. I was about to "run" back to my car when much to my surprise he asked me to explain the Gospel. First I hesitated because I wasn't sure if he was sincere, I said a small prayer and I sat down, and we started talking. Turned out he was intrigued because a little young lady had the courage to approach someone like him despite his looks; apparently he normally gets judged by his appearance. He said he thought whatever it was, it must be important. It sure was. Thank God for the opportunity to share the gospel to the man, spent a good half an hour talking to him, it was a pleasant experience (he wasn't scary at all!), I think both him and I enjoyed it. He was open to hear but I'm not too sure if he believed what I was saying to him, so to help him know I was serious, as I left, I said to him that there's a reason why we both came here today (he looked a bit puzzled because I think he was thinking "because I took my wife to the dentist?"), I pointed at the tract and continued, ".. and this is the reason." His face froze and I smiled.

1 Tract Reaches 20 Souls!

On September 5th, I went through Macca's drive-thru for two reasons:
1. to order a steaming cappuccino coffee and 2. to give out "Are you a
good person?" tract. The first blessing was that I had to pay at one
window and pick up the order at the second window--that meant 2 tracts
for 1 cappuccino. Nice!

The second blessing came exactly one week later. I was picking up
teenagers in my van to take them to youth group. Chingy, one of the
fellas that I picked up caught a glimpse of my pile of "Are you a good
person?" tracts lying on the dash. "Hey, I think I've read one of
those--they're pretty cool." I said, "Huh ... where do you read it?"
Chingy replied, "I read it at work." (Chingy works as a shift manager
at McDonalds).

"So, who gave it to you?" I was really curious now (who was that
mystery tract giver??). "Nobody gave it to me. It was in the crew's
break room. It was just lying on the table." I asked Chingy about the
girls I handed the tracts to--Linda and Tanya. "Yeah, one of them must
have read it and left it on the table for others to read. In fact,
everyone who's been coming into the crew room has been picking it up
and reading. The comic cover catches their attention immediately. It's
really cool."

So I asked Chingy about how many people would have read the tract. "At
least 20," he replied. I was stunned and rebuked at the same time.
Because I remember the look on Linda's face when I handed her the
tract. She gave the "raised eyebrows" look (you know what I mean?). In
my mind I thought, "Oh well, at least I tried ..."

Guess what? If Linda had been really interested in that tract, she
would have taken it home with her. Because of her "disinterest", the
Lord had her leave it lying on the table in the crew room ... so
that ... 20 or more of her workmates (and still counting) would get to
read it!

I love how the Lord uses even the "disinterested" people to be a means
of spreading his word (and to be a means of rebuking this saint's
unbelief)!!

Pete

Mission Participation!

Day 10, Sept 30in30

Tracting meets a bottleneck.

How do you evangelise without leaving the house all day?
What if you didn't need to go out neither feel like going out?

Hmm...

Most probably can't.

Admitting defeat to God gave me great strength to put on a thick jacket and venture out into the cold for a night walk. I thank God for a like-minded brother who in my weakness is able to encourage me towards God's strength. In plain English speak, he came along for the little stroll with his portion of tracts :)

1. Sally:
At first, we walked around in the cold without a single person in sight. Imagine our delight when 2 girls appeared out of nowhere walking towards us on the other side of the road.

Thinking it's now or never, I started to cross the street. As I approach closer, Chinese dialect come into ear as one of the girl talks audibly into the mobile. "This is for you," I offered in Chinese. "Ah?" Replied Sally who wasn't on the phone.

"So, have you guys been shopping?" I asked, pointing to bags of groceries,

"Yeah, just a little" Said Sally.

More talks led me to discover that they'd both just arrived from China 3 days ago. Sally also mentioned that she used to believe in Jesus for a period of time along with her grandma.

"Do you mind me asking why you stopped believing?" I said,

"Because they moved away." She replied.

Explaining to her that nothing stops her from believing again and perhaps it's God's work that we met each other, she seemed interested in visiting CYPG. I extended the invitation once again, she then asked how to get to our church by bus so I offered to drive them. She was happy and said that if her friend is willing to go, she'll contact me.

2. Candy:
At IGA I gave another tract to an Asian girl walking by herself.

"I've received this before!" She said, a little amazed.

"REEAAALLY?" MORE amazed than her for sure!

"Yeah really, at Curtin Uni back in July. I read the first few pages but couldn't really understand, can you explain it to me?" She asked.

Amazing. God is Amazing.

Explained to her what the tract is about, invited her to Friday Y180 but unfortunately she has a lot of assessments this month thus won't be free until October. Candy also shared some of the struggles she's currently facing being away from her family so I offered to help if she ever needs any. In the end we agreed to catch up for coffee/dinner once she's finished her assignments.

I gave her my mobile number but in my carelessness it was the old Optus number which was cancelled few years ago. Upon realising my mistake (1 hour too late), I rang that number to ask the current owner if anyone had called. I was greeted with a message bank and my heart sank right to the bottom. In desperation I prayed for God's forgiveness and help. Knowing this is the will of God as He is not willing that any should perish, I prayed for God to allow our paths to cross again; either myself or other Christians as long as God reaches to her. I also told my brother what had happened.

The next day he asked me to guess who he met today.

"Dunno" I said, disinterested.

Showing me Candy's mobile number on his phone I was left speechless. "Wha? How? Who? Why? When? TELLLL MEEEEE!" Interest level suddenly went through the roof.

He bumped into her at Curtin library, remembering what I'd done, he said hi and told her my mistake - unfortunately She was in a hurry to leave so my brother asked her what was wrong.

"I left my electronic dictionary in the last lecture, it's really expensive..."

Picking up her obvious distress my brother accompanied her to the lecture room but there was a lesson going on. He entered into the room and announced his intentions to which the lecturer asked him to wait till the class is over. Suddenly someone inside the room stood up and asked if he's looking for this, holding up a small electronic devise.

Candy was overjoyed having found the electronic dictionary; she said she's really glad bumping into him.

"It's okay, don't worry about it... but... CAN I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER??"

Hehe, official path-crossing point :)

On Day 11, Sept 30in30, I learnt that serving God can't be dreamt from sitting in a chair. Our participation is needed to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Like what Gav said, "I couldn't have planned this even if I tried",

This can only mean one thing:

ALL glory to God!

Anon

Christianity Again?

#3404 I was at Royal Perth Hospital working when I met a Thai boy. After talking for a while, he mentioned something about God and reminded me of the tracts. I gave him a tract and he said that God must want him to be Christian because quite a few times he has been approached by people talking about Jesus – sometimes on the train, sometimes in the city. He said that he cannot become a Christian because his parents are not a Christian. I explained to him about Christianity and how Jesus died for our sins and only when we receive Him, we can be saved from the consequences of our sins. I also shared with him my testimony about how I was saved even though my parents are still not Christian. I invited him to come to Church on Friday nights or Sunday morning if he can, and that he can bring friends. Because he is now injured, he said he may go on Fridays because normally he works on Fridays. He was also surprised when I told him that he can bring friends as well. Pray for Patchara that He will receive Christ soon.

God's Humour

On 31st August 2008, the day before my second September 30in30, I picked up a whole range of different gospel tracts from church including my favourite, the Chick comic book tract This Was Your Life. I planned to give out at least one tract per day. I usually take a taxi home each night from work, I could just give one to each taxi driver. I had my tracts in my suit jacket pocket so on Monday night, I gave a Chick tract to the taxi driver. The next night as usual, I’m chatting to the taxi driver. The conversation continued and suddenly we were talking about his addiction to gambling. He mentioned how he could never save any money. When he won, he would spend it and go on holidays and when he lost, he would just work harder to make the money back. We arrive outside my place. It was at this time that I normally give the taxi driver a tract. Then suddenly, I realize I’m wearing a different suit to yesterday! My Chick tracts are in my other suit! I scrambled around trying to find a tract, and then I realize I do have one… the $1,000,000 gospel tract! How appropriate! Hahaha! I don’t think I could have planned this event if I tried.

Thank God for this situation and opportunity. I hope you all continue to share the gospel, not only in September, but always. =) God bless, Gav.

Provoking Christians to evangelise

To provoke other christian to evangelise was one of the purpose of sept 30in30 but I didn't expect that God would work in such a miracous way. I prayed and asked God to give me the opportunity to give a tract to Sonja (supervisor).The story goes from Day 1 of my 2nd tract...

Early in the morning when i arrive work, a lady parked her car next to me and i was quite hesitant to give her the tract because of "fear". However, I prayed for courage and the Lord led me to have the opportunity to say "hi" to her and ask what her name is? Bethany, she answered and i gave her my 2nd tract and she put on a big smile and told me that she is a Christian too and goes to Bethany christian church.I was like, "Phew"....i was almost ashamed of the gospel but Thank God for upholding me and i told her to give this to someone else. She was happy with that. To my surprise she knew some of our Church ppl while she was at a uni christian union. So Thank God for that..

The story did not end here... Lunch time came...there were 3 of us eating lunch together then one of my "supervisor", Sonja , came to sit with us (which is rare). So me and my other colleague(also a Christian) started to talk about eternal things. We asked her what is her purpose for living on earth.. then we went into sharing the gospel with her..she was very willing to listen as we got another colleague next to us (Thank God for that)..however, our lunch time exceeded more than 15 mins..there was like someone telling us to go back so we had to stop there. But what's encouraging is that we have shared the gospel with her and it was especially encouraging to have a fellow christian colleague evangelising together at work. In the end, we worked an extra 20 mins for exceeding the lunch time but it was worthwhile even though i still haven't given the tract to her but God has opened a door for us to evangelise to her as well as provoking other Christian to evangelise!

All glory to God! May we still continue to give our best(really the BEST) to Our Almighty God in Heaven!

3 days down, ETERNITY to go!

What God and I did so far :)

On the first day God took me to see His beautiful creations at Kings Park where the first track was given out.

On the Second day God gave me courage from above to encourage a lady who used to attend church all the time.

Today just as I thought I'd missed my chance to evangelise as the sun fades in the West; He made it so that I would drive at 6:30pm to give BP__03 to a shop attendant who gladly accepted "this was your life".

"My impossibilites became His opportunities" (quote from unkown source hehe)

3 days into Sept 30in30 2008, God is everywhere.

Anon. <- last year u guys put my name in ARRGGHH!