I would like to share a few stories from our Friday night Evangelism in Christchurch. Every Friday, the whole team heads into Christchurch. We choose to be a part of Evangelism teams such as the skatepark, climbing wall, soccer in the square, Zebadees (teen music venue) and hanging out at the main square. I am supposed to be a part of Zebadess...but they haven't had a friday night concert yet. So our team has been hanging out at the square. What we're supposed to do on Friday nights is meet people, build relationships with them, help them/serve them in any way possible and just overall make a positive connection. We're not there to preach to pass out pamphlets and tell people they are going to hell. I would not be okay with that. If we feel led to, then we can ask to pray with them and/or talk about God...but there's no condemnation involved. It's all about sharing God's love.
Two weeks ago I walked around with Rach (from london). I wasn't sure who to talk to and what to do. I'm not very good at walking up to people and starting a conversation...I'm definatley an introvert. Well, there was guitar music coming from somewhere and I was interested in going where the music was. There was a man playing electric guitar in a central shop area. We stopped to listen for a while. I noticed this older woman, she looked as though she might be homeless, sitting and listening as well. I sat down next to her and asked her how her night was. I am glad that I initiaed the conversation. She was open to talk and we chatted for a while. Her name is Monica. When i told her that I'm here in New Zealand for a christian school, she immediatly asked if I was going to hand her a pamphlet. She was wary. Apparently a lot of people in the streets are used to people preaching at them and telling them they are going to hell. It just turns them away from God!! When i assured her that I was not about that, we continued talking. It was just a great time to share. We shared some thoughts about God as well. The hard thing for me was that she had been visibly drinking and smelled of alcohol. I hope that God can use our conversation, even though she might have been drunk. I just don't know. When it was time for me to leave, i asked her what I could pray for her about this week. She was hesitant at first and said that she didn't need prayer and that I didn't have to. I insisted that I would love to and she finally said "lonliness." We said our goodbyes and I left. I realized after I left that I should have prayed for her right then and there. I wonder what held me back? well, I've been praying for her this week and was hoping to see her again this friday. I looked for her this friday but did not see her.
This last friday night, a group us from the square team decided to pray over a music festival that night. We've noticed posters around town for a SatanFest happening on friday. It was held in a bar in town. Some of the team decided to go inside and the rest of us prayer walked around the building. I really felt the spirit of deception there that night. Some of the people we talked with said that it was just a concert and nothing bad. But, it was put on the AntiChrist church! If that person thought that they were just going to a concert...they were being decived. The music is against Jesus and is satan worshiping...whether they realize it or night. Some of the students on the team were subdued by the calm atmosphere and the "just a concert" talk. They thought that perhaps we had expected wrong. Once again, it felt like the spirit of deception. God needed to be in control of this event and place! Our big group split up...some wanted to go back to the square and meet more people. Five of us stayed and we continued prayer walking around. We stopped next to the building and started singing praise songs! It was powerful. Just that week during lectures, our speaker talked about how Praise is a Weapon. It drives out the enemy!! We praised for a long time, clapping our hands and worshiping God. There was no fear...God is in control. Praise God! When it was time to leave...i couldn't help but feel joyful. God had his protection over this building and the people. I just pray that the concert attendees saw the light of God and don't fall into satan's deception.
God is working in this city and in my life! And the great part is that Praise is a Weapon!!!!
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