Over dinner I had an important conversation. My hosts informed me that the owner of the Tin Shed, and therefore the seller of the epic chocolate cake, is a neighbour of theirs! What a small town. I have tasked them with finding out the secret to its amazing deliciousness. I won’t ask you to pray for that conversation … but I am clearly hinted that I want you to…
Now that is off my chest I can tell you about today. It was jam-packed with action.
God answered many prayers this morning and we were able to clearly present the gospel to year 9 and 10 students in talks based on Mark 2 and the thief of the cross, and the idea that we have hope in a broken world.
Because of the numbers in our team we were able to break off into small discussion groups – something that the church is unable to do normally. Many of our groups had at least one student asking serious questions about Christianity and showing interest in following Jesus.
Please pray that the message that these students heard, and will continue to hear through their scripture teachers, will be considered. Please ask the Lord of the harvest to save many of these students!
This afternoon we split off in many directions. Some continued our door-knocking efforts, some taught scripture, one group was able to attend the after-school kids club. They explained the gospel with a pirate theme, and really enjoyed the solid time of encouragement! Their crafts were pretty cool too.
I had the opportunity of visiting the Three Trees aged care facility where we were running their first ever communion service. We heard from Aiden, that not only does Jesus show his love for us by saving us, but he did it while we were his enemies – like a soldier risking his life for a wounded man fighting for the opposition. What a time of encouragement! We met Ruth, an elderly woman suffering from Parkinson’s who used to attend Lithgow Anglican. She was so grateful for the fellowship and touched several of us with her solid faith. Please pray that there will be church members willing to attend this service regularly so that it can continue.
This evening our home-visits continued with non-billeting families from church. We are getting a variety of individuals, from non-believers on the fringe of the church, to life-long followers with stories of Gods sustaining love through adversity. I got to enjoy an amazing home-made quiche tonight and was able to share testimonies with a couple experiencing some tough times. What an encouragement to hear their faith in God’s goodness! Please continue to pray that these times will be encouraging and fruitful, and that we will be able to build up these families in prayer and fellowship.
So what is on the agenda for tomorrow?
- The women’s fellowship lunch. Please pray that any women invited who are perhaps on the fence about attending would come along. Continue to pray for Helen as she finishes her talk, and that it would hit home for many women their need to depend on Christ. Pray for Rikki as I have on good authority that she is looking for direction from God as she finalises her testimony.
- Writers workshop in the library at 11am. Please pray for Scott as he prepares to chat with fellow writers and that God would give him opportunities to tell the gospel.
- Dialogue meeting in the evening. Please pray for those invited that they would show up willing to engage with the Gospel. Please pray for Mike B as he talks there, and the few members on the panel to answer questions.
- Scripture classes, door-knocking, street questionnaires, home-visits and another aged care facility service. Please continue to ask God to send us to speak to the right people, to be having clear, salty conversations and to represent him well in this community.
Thursday is our official day off. Please ask our God for safety as we travel about, significant rest, and renewed energy for the rest of our week of mission.
