Friday Night Notes

cold and quiet...

Forgot the gloves.  This time of year in Eastern Canada, the cold weather subtly moves in, and I thought I was prepared for a night of open-air evangelism.  Two sweaters, a vest and a jacket.  I thought I was good to go.  One hour into our night of evangelism, I could hardly feel my fingers.

The frigid air probably was probably partly to blame for the low turnout in the market tonight.  Still, Pastor Tim and I preached the Gospel to hundreds of souls for three hours... the Lord be glorified by our efforts.

With the small turnout, persecution was light, which was a welcome change.  I only had to pick up our Bible signs from off the ground on two occasions (after sinners kicked them down).  There was also little by way of blasphemy, and just a bit of mockery.  One man, seeing my Bible sign, exclaimed "Seeeeriously?"  In response, I asked him if he was a 12-year-old girl.  His friends got a real laugh out of that.

The highlight of the night was a conversation Pastor Tim and I had with three young Muslims.  Muslims are so difficult to deal with because their imams fill their heads with misconceptions about the Faith.  When they come to speak to you, they think they have all the facts and their going to show you how crazy Christianity is.  I've heard it all.  God the Father having sex with Mary, three gods, if one is white and North American they're Christians (no matter how they live their lives)... etc.

What's really sad about Muslims also, is how ignorant they are not only of Christianity, but of their own faith, Islam.  In our conversation tonight, we were being told, by the three young men, that Muslim respect Christians, and call them brothers... and that, throughout the Muslim world.  Pastor Tim asked the men how many churches were in Saudi Arabia, the home country of Mecca.  The answer is obviously: none.  I also pointed out the many instances of Christians being imprisoned and tortured in the Muslim world.  The response was mostly silence.  Despite their obvious contradictions and paradoxical views, the young men left saying they would pray that we would one day understand that Islam is the one true religion.  Yeah... sure...

Pastor Tim had a long, pleasant conversation with a Jewish shop owner.  They spoke about many things and by the end of the conversation, the man said something like:

"You are welcome for coffee here anytime!  And by the way, the shop next door is closed and empty, feel free to set up in front of it and preach the Gospel."

After three hours of evangelism, my fingers were aching from the cold and we made our way home.  On my way to the bus terminal, I saw Brother Layton and Brother Marcel of the Open-Air Campaigners.  This was their last night of evangelism; they don't go out in the winter time.  It was good to see the brothers again.  Brother Layton looked tired... he and his wife have been quite sick recently with grave illnesses.  I think it's taking its toll.  Remember Brother Layton in your prayers, dear saints.

Pastor Tim and Brother Rod will be heading downtown tomorrow morning with Bible signs to present the Gospel at the Santa Clause Parade... remember them in your prayers also, dear brothers and sisters-in-the-Lord.

God bless you, dear readers.


Rand