sales on tracts, and trying out new fishing spots

Dear friends, prayer partners and fellow soul-winners,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord! Our lives stay so busy with work and a wide variety of experiences. I (Steven) got a new computer and it has taken a couple of weeks to get it set up like my last computer, including the email addresses. : )

Thank you so much to our prayer partners, we have prayed for God’s blessing on you several times again recently, because we are so grateful. We know we have valuable prayer partners and we especially notice your support when we are doing ministry. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Last weekend we went on a mini retreat as a small Bible study group, for Bible studies and prayers for our country. Our concern was for so many Americans focused on their pride and freedom to pursue their fleshly interests and forgetting to honor God first and to please Him. We as a nation have forgotten the meaning of humility, and Him who gave our Constitution with the freedom to worship Him and serve Him with all of our heart. We felt so close to God while praying for our brethren and our nation and studying His Word – it was a refreshing, blessed time! And Lord-willing, we expect it to be a new annual tradition worth keeping. And we are planning to do that many more times this year! ~: )

Some ministry news, and then some soul-winning stories ~ : ).
In case you hadn’t heard, Living Waters (Way of the Master’s publishing company) has discounted some of their tracts. So, if you’re looking for some good ideas on sale, check out: http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=tractsDISCT. (It is our assumption that they are working on some new lines of tracts to come out soon, but we don’t know that for sure…) Way of the Master also has a very interesting announcement/teaser note on Living Waters… something to be announced on July 16th… should be interesting! : )

Also, Living Waters has a very good deal on their intermediate course on evangelism – a package bundle for just $39, and you can find that at: http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=720&Category_Code=WOTM-BTC.

Custom Tracts is also having a sale - on their dollar bill tracts. (I wouldn’t personally use the creepy cash or the Santa one because I believe both of them can lean someone toward distraction, I just put that out there as food for thought.) Just to clarify, our family considers it such a blessing to have the variety of tract suppliers! And www.customtractsource.com is one of our 3 favorite tract suppliers. If you didn’t already know – Custom Tract Source will also help you design and print your own tracts too, for a reasonable price. : ) Here’s the link to their sale on the variety of dollar bill tracts: https://customtractsource.3dcartstores.com/Money-Tracts_c_32.html.

Also, while doing a quick search, I came across another tract site that my family has appreciated for years: Chick tracts - http://www.chick.com/catalog/tractlist.asp. They have colorful, helpful little gospel booklets on quite a range of issues and religions. People enjoy getting these because it’s like a little story. Hope those ideas are a blessing to you all.

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(Steven’s update)
Well, now for a brief catch-up! : ) The downtown Orlando crowd continues to be interesting! Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity of starting to learn how to preach more effectively to a quick-moving audience. I preached one sermon and got some good thoughtful reactions. It was a good start on something new for me. Then two weeks ago, I had the opportunity of giving 4 different street-sermons! That was pretty cool, but pretty exhausting! Ray Comfort says that street-preaching uses the energy of several regular hours of manual labor in like 5- 15 minutes ~ : ). I think he is right… : ) The interesting thing was that I was nervous up until I started, then God gave me the strength and boldness to preach to and plead with the people passing by to think about who they were following: themselves or Christ. I preached from Matthew 7 & 13 – (broad way/narrow way – rebellious soil/fruitful soil); John 3:16-21 – (God sent Jesus, the Light came, men loved darkness); John 10/Luke 14:26-33 – (2 families, 2 shepherds; those who want to follow Him must forsake all and follow Him), and Matthew 19:16-26 – (Jesus’ very interesting conversation with the rich, young ruler).

What was also interesting is how that this had seemed to be so hard to me for weeks, but after I preached Jesus’ message as best as I could, one-on-one conversations were easier for me again. It was a new and exciting experience for me and I believe God used these to start me learning more about Him in a new category. I look forward to seeing where all that road goes ~ : )!

This past week, while on our mini-retreat, we also got to share the gospel at 2 new locations for us: a flea market and a mall. God blessed us with some great conversations at both places! We passed out quite a few tracts at the flea market and almost everyone was glad to get one and friendly – it was pretty cool. Dad and mom talked with a guy at the flea market who was really thinking about how he needed to get his life right with God and get back with his wife. This guy was also wanting to find some training material so he could share the gospel with his co-worker – it was a pretty cool conversation! At the mall, we talked with quite a variety of walks of life: from 2 ladies who seemed to be in an odd relationship together, to a retired police officer, to several young people who were just hanging around at the mall, and more. The best spot we found for talking with people and sharing the good news of Jesus was the food court! But, the best part was afterward going to all the cars in the mall parking lot putting gospel tracts on the window of the vehicles, right above the door handles. It must have looked pretty funny the 5 of us swarming the mall parking lot! ~ : ) We live in such a crazy world where very few people even know what Jesus said, His truth and His message, but the neat thing we keep seeing is that there is still quite a hunger for the truth.

Again, to our prayer partners thank you! And to those of you who share the gospel of Jesus with everyone you can – thank you! We pray for God’s blessing on you.

Our team is planning to do something a little different this week. We are planning to share the gospel at Flea World in Sanford on Saturday morning around 10 AM and then planning to go soul-winning again Saturday evening. Should be busy and interesting ~ : )! The last time we were at this Flea Market, we had great brief conversations and we are looking forward to going back ~ : ).

Your fellow prayer partners and laborers in the harvest,
David, Barbara, Steven and Paul
~ The Henry Family ~
(407) 924-1327
(407) 529-7593
_________________
Friends of Israel,
servants of Christ,
The Henry Family ~ David, Barbara, Steven and Paul

Did you get one? ~ : ) (new and improved)

Dear friends and fellow laborers, 06/19/2008

Wow! What an incredible year this has been, and we know God has even more neat things still to come for those who seek Him first and follow Him with all of their hearts!

ANNOUNCEMENT ~ : )
Living Waters has updated their $1,000,000 with some new colors and features : )

This tract has the Gospel message written on back of the bill.
The million-dollar question: Will you go to Heaven when you die? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. You broke God's Law, but Jesus paid your fine. That means He can legally dismiss your case. He can commute your death sentence: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus alone, and God will grant you the gift of everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it.

And you can find it at: http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=298

Also, just because it caught our attention, I wanted to mention the $7 bill gospel tract, with Dwight L. Moody on the front - J.

Here it is:

In 2005, it was reported that more people visited casinos than attended Broadway shows or major league baseball games. Why? Because money is such a hot commodity! If you don’t have it, you want it; if you have it, you want more. But is that all there is to life? Most would say “no,” yet we spend the majority of our lives trying to make more. Listen to what the Bible says about money. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Is God pleased with who you serve? Here’s a quick test. Have you ever lied, stolen or coveted anything? If so, you’ve sinned against God and broken His laws, the Ten Commandments, and you have to stand before Him on Judgment Day. Will you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or hell? Listen to your conscience. You know you’ll be guilty and end up in hell. But God doesn’t want that. The Bible says, “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” You broke the law and Christ paid the penalty by dying on the cross. He then rose from the dead and defeated death. If you will repent (turn from your sin) and trust in Jesus Christ, He will forgive your sin and grant you the gift of everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey what you read. (See John 14:21).

http://evangelismteam.com/store/p113/Seven-Dollar-Bill/product_info.html

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(Steven’s update)
Mom, Deanna and I had a number of interesting conversations – it was another interesting night downtown. I guess the summer rowdiness brings out strange things sometimes. Like Deanna mentions below, there were quite a few of the people downtown that were sort of mocking death. A lot of them were bent on sin and didn’t really want to talk, so I prayed for a lot of them as they passed by. Mom and I had a really neat conversation with 2 ladies. The one lady has been noticing that she has been drifting from the Lord, and realizing that she needs to give all of her life to Jesus Christ. Mom and I encouraged her to do so and reminded her of some Bible verses that would help her. Then her and her friend went on to party, but I hope and pray that those seeds that were planted grow and that she does surrender all of her life to Jesus Christ. Also talked with a number of guys there. Talked with Giovanni – a security guard briefly, and met one of the regular hotdog venders. Please continue to join us in praying that God makes all who we talk with restless, and that God uses that conviction to bring them to a new life in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers! :)

(Deanna’s update)
Zombie madness
Not sure why it seems every week there is a different theme circulating around downtown Orlando amongst the Lost but it never fails. This week was everyone dress like a dead person week. So of course I would approach them saying "Wow you look dead.... what do you think happens when you really die?" As I have heard from Mark Cahill before Satan brings them together so we can witness to them and this week he provided me with a great open liner as well. As I looked at my fellow laborers this week I could almost see the light shining off them in this dark place. Recently I saw a gentleman with a belt that I thought described most of the scene here appropriately. It read "Don't follow me I'm lost". If only he knew the true significance of that one statement. Praise God for opportunities that so easily present themselves. I spoke with a number of people this week who all seemed to be listening. Maybe in their heads there were thinking about the yummy hotdog stand that was sending delicious aromas our way but I like to think they were listening. I spoke with mainly men b/c frankly for some reason women intimidate me slightly. Plus as my friend pointed out the other day they seem to be captivated by my beauty. hee hee In other words to them I'm just a pretty face but while they’re googling I start my conversation. Now let me just say I do think I'm pretty but I'm not saying this to be conceited but it is a point to be spoken for. Men do give me the time of day cause they think there going to get a hook up or something. Now I do believe as long as I have two legs I have a sure bet but my friend suggests this is a tool I should use. Hey whatever makes them bite. As long as I dress modestly and am not flirtatious I will use there second glance as a way to start a conversation. Anyways I talked to a guy named Kevin. To start with he confessed as we were talking he had sinned as I saw him googling over a girl behind me. I always thank them for their honesty and move on. It seems there are always lots of distractions out here so I don't like to humor their obvious lack of concentration. He listened politely and engaged in conversation curtly. We talked for a grand total of about five mins which is really all I like to give people to leave room to talk to others since time is restricted. Unless someone is asking a lot of questions I might make an exception. I'm not intending to control the conversation but I do feel some people can be time robbers. I love how God directs the conversations and sometimes they surprise me. I talked with one girl who had been an athiest since four she says. Sounded as though she had alot of hurt in her past and I only got as far as the building parable before she took off. Those are always tough and I find myself yelling after them as they leave as a final warning. Just something to make them think. Like "WHAT IF YOUR WRONG" or one that I learned from Ray Comfort which seems harsh but true. " If my eyes meet yours on Judgment Day and your still in your sins I'm free from your blood" That I say rarely but if some one has proved to be very self-righteous I may slip it in. Please keep Mr. Ireland in prayer who wanted to go drink beer more than he wanted to talk about God. Peace to all! God Bless you in your work!

Your friends and fellow servants of Jesus,
David, Barbara, Steven and Paul

new tracts and stories ~ : )

Hey fellow ambassadors and prayer partners ~ : )

It has been a crazy several weeks! Very busy and full of ministry opportunities! ~ : ) Some stories below, but first we wanted to let you know about some unique tracts that we just found out about!

We just received a shipment of Mark Cahill’s tracts today and the ‘True Repentance’ tracts, and we have already ordered the ‘One Million Ameros’ tracts.

Mark Cahill’s One Heartbeat Away tract:

Custom Tracts’ note about this tract:
‘Recently, Mark Cahill contacted us (Custom Tracts) about making a Gospel tract to direct people to a new website of his which allows lost people to request a FREE copy of Mark's book One Heartbeat Away. Working together, this tract is what we came up with! This is slightly bigger than our mini-post card tract, but slightly smaller than our standard post card tract. The size is a pocket-friendly 3.5"x5". These should be *very* easy to hand out!’

Words on back:
‘Beep...beep...beep... The sound of a heart monitor somewhere in the distance comes into focus as you slowly return to consciousness. Your sides hurt tremendously and you can’t feel your legs. As you wonder where you are, you hear muffled voices that sound like doctors. Beep...beep...beep... The heart monitor continues beeping, letting the doctors know that you’re alive... at least for the moment. You vaguely recall what happened—you were driving around a curve when out of nowhere came the flash of headlights headed directly toward you. You remember screaming, and the piercing crunch of metal, and then... nothing. You can’t remember a thing since then. Now you’re wondering if you’ll ever make it out. The heart monitor suddenly speeds up—Beep! Beep! Beep! You hear the doctors rushing around barking orders. You feel frightened and wonder what’s happening. You try to open your eyes to look around, but it’s no use. You’re paralyzed there in your hospital bed and can’t do anything about it. You start to think that this may be IT. You start to panic. You begin to wonder what’s next: Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Have you done enough good to get to heaven? Your life flashes before your eyes. What about all those lies you’ve told? If there’s a God, will He just forget about them? And what about those items you’ve stolen? They weren’t big things, but it still makes you a thief, right? What if God even knows your thought life? What about all those times you’ve looked with lust, and used His name as a curse word? Will God hold you accountable? Your heart is beating faster. Beep-beep-beep. Where will you end up? What can you say before God? Your lungs begin to hurt. It’s getting hard to breathe. You know this is it. Beep-beep-beeeeeeeeep....... One last beat. Little did you know you were One Heartbeat Away from passing into eternity... Every second, two people die. What if this is YOUR second? What should you do? Find out what’s in eternity—get a FREE copy of the book One Heartbeat Away at (http://www.oneheartbeataway.org/)’

You can order these at: http://www.customtractsource.com/One-Heartbeat-Away-Tract_p_0-211.html & http://www.customtractsource.com/


The NAU ~ $1,000,000 bill:
Ø With Titus 2:11-14 concealed on the front – very interesting verses!
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Words on back:
‘One Million Ameros?! What’s an Amero?! It is the proposed currency for the new “North American Union” between Mexico, Canada and the United States of America. The Amero has been designed to replace the Mexican Peso, the American Dollar and the Canadian Dollar. Just like Europe now has the Euro, North America is bound to have the Amero eventually. In fact, the Mexico to Canada Highway which slices like a dagger through the middle of America is already being constructed. Looks like “One Nation Under God” will be no more. Speaking of God, did you know that the Bible says that we will ALL have to stand before Him to be judged for every thought, word and deed? How will you do on Judgment Day? To find out, all you have to do is take a look at the Ten Commandments. They are like a mirror. A mirror shows us the truth whether we like it or not. The Ten Commandments are the same way. #9 says, “Thou shalt not lie.” Have you ever lied before? #8 says, “Thou shalt not steal.” Have you ever stolen before (size and value are irrelevant)? #3 says, “Thou shalt not take my name in vain.” Have you ever taken God’s name in vain before? #7 says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” BUT, Jesus said that looking at someone with lustful thoughts is the same as adultery in God’s eyes (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever looked with lust before? If you have broken just these four of the Ten Commandments, you are a liar, a thief, a blasphemer and an adulterer. Because you have broken God’s Law, you deserve to be punished. That punishment is Hell, should you stay in your sins. The Good News is that Jesus died on the cross for you and then rose from the grave. And because of what He did, you can be Pardoned of your sins, Reconciled to God so you can have a relationship with Him, Empowered to live a Holy Life and be Granted Eternal Life in the end. You must Repent of your sins (confess and forsake them) and put your Faith in Jesus Christ. Friend, you WILL die someday and that day could be today! Won’t you consider your eternity? http://www.onemillionameros.com/’

Link: http://www.gospeltract.org/amero.html & http://www.pinpointevangelism.com/

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Now for some updates!:

(Steven’s update)
Two of the past several weeks, we had the opportunities to go soul-winning with a couple of different teams, so we took advantage of that, but it meant we got home too late to keep you all up to date on the soul-winning stories, though we hope and pray that God has been using you all too!

Two Thursday evenings ago, we got to lead a group of newer soul-winners and share the gospel together and encourage one another ~ that was a blast! My friend and I got to talk to a quasi-atheist and then a Jewish girl (Sarah) and her 4 lesbian friends… very interesting conversations… got to plant seeds and pray for them.

Two Friday evenings ago, the Florida Music Festival was downtown Orlando, and that allowed for some very interesting conversations! We realized later that the majority of the people down there were already focused on God (or at least some version of spirituality) and so that made things easier in that they were already on the subject of eternity ~ : ). Brittany and I had a number of good conversations. We talked with a few artists at the festival and gave them some gospel tracts. They seemed to be somewhat interested in the conversation, but they were more interested in doing what they wanted to do, but we got to plant some spiritual seeds ~ : ). Then there was the very interesting conversation with a girl outside another bar. She is 22 and she has a life-threatening disease that will likely kill her before she turns 30, and she was in effect wanting to know why? Why the pain? Why diseases? She was also very interested in hearing our thoughts and our understanding of God’s Living Word. She would have probably talked longer, but her dad got her out of our conversation. We did get to show her that God still cares about her and challenge her that she needs to surrender her life to Jesus Christ. We can only pray for her and trust that God is working in her heart.

Last Friday evening was unusual too, but it was very good! It lightly sprinkled the whole evening, but Deanna had an umbrella and the rest of us had jackets, so that worked well. But the conversations were really neat! Deanna and I (Steven) talked with one guy and he wanted to blame God for His decisions, but at the end of the conversation seemed to be convicted and thinking, which is great. We’re praying for Him. Those are just a few of the stories.

Again – to everyone who prays for us: THANK YOU! Only in Heaven will we find out how God used our prayers and obedience to Him!

(Paul’s update)
I've got several great stories I wish I could share with you, but I've got to tell you about what happened today at work! I was sent on a service call this afternoon to wire up a microwave. So I arrived and got to work, and it wasn't until the end of the project that I found out why I was really there! :) The customer was a single middle-age woman, who is dealing with a number of health challenges and incompetent doctors and also a number of problems in her house - power failure (which Progress Energy was fixing while I was there) and water damage in the kitchen and general disorder of things in her house, etc. So at the end of my time there as I was getting ready to leave, she gave me some really nice compliments on my work and my manner and my family (Henry Electric). So I told her what I normally say when people compliment my work - that we are a Christian family and that we do our work to honor God. She told me that she already could tell that! I already knew she was a Christian as well from her conversation on the phone with a friend earlier, so I was just waiting for this conversation to happen!

So we talked a little about her situation, and in the next few minutes of conversation, God gave me three things from His Word to share with her that really encouraged her. 1) Trust God and allow him to teach you through the difficult trials; 2) Perfect love casts out all fear, so as you pursue the love of God more deeply, it will drive out your fears; 3) She goes to a church that really focuses on emotion and asking for the Holy Spirit as the solution to problems, so I pointed out that you don't get more or less of the Holy Spirit by asking for it, but the more you get rid of barriers in communication with God and ask God in faith for what you need, you receive answers to that. These things made really, really good sense to her, and she really appreciated them. I really wanted to also warn her that her TV was a hindrance to her because it clearly was, but I couldn't figure out how to say it, so I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict her of her sin. But I was thrilled at how encouraged she was! She gave me a hug and told me how God had sent me and one other person in the last couple of days to encourage her on those things, so she would be able to keep going! As I walked out the door, she said that God had blessed her through me today, so I was glad for that!

Thank you again for your prayers. We are praying that God keeps using and training each of you!

Your friends, fellow prayer partners and laborers in the harvest,
David and Barbara, Steven and Paul ~ The Henry Family

a change in direction ~ : )

Hey Friends and fellow soul-winners and prayer partners, 04-10-08

This past weekend was amazing! We went downtown Orlando Friday evening and then to Daytona for Saturday afternoon/evening to talk to those who came to ‘Black College Reunion’ and Spring Break ~ WOW! What a joy it is to continue to learn how to join what our Master is already doing! There are so many stories and experiences that we couldn’t possibly get them on paper!

Below are some of the stories of how God is reaching into people’s live and challenging them to give their lives to Jesus Christ, and how He allowed us to be a part of that.

(Steven’s Update)
One main conversation that stands out in my head was the one we had with a guy named DJ. This guy was pretty interesting. Apparently, Paul, Deanna, Kayla, and Damaris talked with him. I didn’t really get to hear how that conversation went because we were talking with someone else right nearby. But, about 15 minutes or so later, he came back by and Kayla mentioned that he had apparently been hanging around ~ apparently curious, thinking… The second time I got to talk with him and challenge him a little. Then we all headed back to base and we had thought that DJ had left us and went somewhere. So, when we were all back on base sharing stories and experiences, suddenly DJ walks over and comes over to listen to our conversation. So, we got a chance to get in his head a little more. He apparently was a youth leader for a number of years, even though his dad and mom are apparently not interested in Jesus, but then his life started going downhill when he was mugged on 9-11 – he didn’t finish the explanation. Several of us got to encourage him and challenge him to go back to the words of Jesus and take them seriously, and also reminded him that there is nothing he can do that cannot be forgiven, as long as he is alive. Towards the end of the conversation, he mentioned that what he saw in us peaked his curiosity ~ and he implied that he wanted that too, or at least some of it. After he left, deep in thought, several of us prayed for him. His face and story will probably stick in my head for a long time, because it is similar to others I have heard.

Saturday afternoon/evening in Daytona was a WOW too! We talked to people on a walkway using million dollar bill tracts (which was great fun), chatted with people in a several story mini mall area, and also chatted with people on the streets. There were so many conversations. Here are just a few names. Matt and Taylor ~ two graduates from Lake Brantley, Kayla and Rochelle ~ 2 of the spring break promotion team, Matt and JC, Lawrence and Mai ~ hip-hop artist and his promo guy, the leaders of a hip-hop magazine, Linda ~ a friendly, talkative security guard who was just curious what we were doing, Desiree ~ who practices witchcraft, said no thank-you to a million dollar bill tract, but appreciated a friendly face, Donnie, Jonathan and gang ~ 4 guys just hanging around who really appreciated talking, another Matt, and a guy named Derek ~ who was unwilling to surrender his life to Jesus Christ right now. We also got to meet and talk to 3 people with the ‘Impact Movement’ ~ they were handing out New Testaments to anyone in the crowd who would take one ~ it was great! The ‘Impact Movement’ is part of Campus Crusade for Christ.

(Paul’s Update)
Hey all here's a story from Friday about challenging Christians to test themselves. One of the best conversations Friday was with two church guys in fact one of them goes to the same church as Deanna. The team I joined Friday was Kayla, Damaris, Deanna, and me. So it was Deanna and I talking with these two guys Scott and Darren. Scott seemed interested enough, but Darren really didn’t want to let Deanna go through all of her questions and explanations. He kept saying he knew all of that already, and he probably very well does. Then at the end we asked a bit of a different question. I read Romans 8:5-8 which says, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Then I asked them both very directly, "What do you set your mind on?" Darren hesitated to answer, so then I looked at Scott who said, "I’m carnally minded." Wow, that reality hit like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t really tell what he was thinking after that and we didn’t get a chance to carry that any further before they left. When I looked back to Darren his response was, "Well, I’m trying to lay up my treasure in Heaven." That was an interesting response as well, but he didn’t want to talk any more about all of that, so that was where the conversation ended after Deanna and he talked about something at church. If you all have any favorite verses to further test the obedience of someone who claims to be a Christian to wake them up that would be very interesting to me!

Saturday was my first time to the Black College Reunion! I expected a really wild nasty party and very little conversation (I've heard about it). It was exactly the opposite on the streets that night! The light chill and then late night rain put a damper on the party, and the conversations were so incredible. I spent a lot of time with Sean Kelsey, and we talked to a lot of people. And there were many good conversations where people heard the truth and had to think about it a little bit. And then there were the conversations where after hearing some truth, they didn’t know what to do! It was like God stopped them in their plans and all of a sudden they just had to rethink things. The first one of those was with Zack. After a couple minutes of conversation, he was just standing there with his hands in his pockets and his head down and thinking. He didn’t leave for a while even though we gave him several gaps in conversation. He just stood there and let us explain everything that we could think of and even still he was hesitant to leave. And then Sean and my last conversation of the night was with Leonard who at the end of the conversation told us he had to leave right away, that he didn’t belong there and he needed to get right with God! Sean got his email address earlier in the conversation and then we took shelter when it started raining. And we just looked at a bunch of God’s Word together! It was great! Even just telling these stories reminds me to pray for them again!

(Deanna’s Update)
After arriving I was teamed with Paul and two other girls that I met for the first time that night. We headed out fairly quickly and my first witnessing encounter for the night is always special. I ran into a couple who were around 21 and stopped them to give them a track and quickly headed into conversation. The guy who's name has slipped my mind shared he felt he was not a good person so I laid my focus on Stephanie. She said she tried to be and I went through the law with her. I have been trying not to kick it into high gear right away but I do get carried away. hee hee. After seeming convicted I shared the gospel with her and half way through someone behind me ( I guess one of her friends) distracted her and pulled her away. So I shifted my attention back to the guy. He seemed to have more knowledge and didn't disagree with me but seemed to think "to each is own". I hear alot that people all believe different things and we sholdn't push our beliefs on others. I used the burning building scenerio but he stuck to his guns. It ended shortly thereafter and I thanked them for their time.

I spoke with about 15 folks altogether that night and they were all very interesting but I won't give you a play by play for each. I did have one gentleman who first I stereotyped as the thug type but I learn everytme I shouldn't do that. He had certain things well rehearsed and seemed to be pretty intelluctual so I needed help. Luckily Paul came to the rescue and helped pick up some crucial points. This man believed and studied many religions but the muslim faith came up quite a bit. He would quote the bible but did not believe in the diety of Jesus. I'll admit he stumped me a time or two and that's why I was glad to have my partner in truth near by. Downtown definately can be more challenging so it wets my appetite for future encounters, I like to find verses later that I can use next time. Ray Comfort always says use Scripture as much as possible so I'm trying to memorize more but that's not one of my strong points. I won't let that stop me though that's for sure. I took lots of pics that I will be sharing with you all and I ask for prayer when we go out. It makes such a difference and I can tell when were being prayed for.

Last night was the biggest group I have been able to go out with yet and I learn something new each time. There were alot of divine apointments for us last night. A few others I want to ask for prayer for are Tony, Scott, Lorraine, and another cute spanish couple (God knows) and the so called athiests. Thank You God for New friendships and Soul-winners. May we all be Bold as lions! Amen!

(Bryan’s update)
We prayed and broke into teams. I was teamed with Rich and one of his daughters Becky. We headed down the street and I was immediately separated from them as they crossed the street by a deaf homeless man asking for money. I had none. I did offer him a million dollar bill but he looked upset and disappointed at the same time. I tried to tell him it was better than real money but he didn't agree. I caught up with them on the other side and they were talking to a man they'd talked to on previous trips down here. His name is Omar, he's Muslim and very well versed in the Qu'ran and quoted it in the native tongue. Which wasn't shocking since that how they believe is the only way to truly study it. He's very intelligent and it was sad to see such an intelligent guy pouring his life and heart into something that will take him to hell if he doesn't repent and put his faith in Jesus. His arguments were contradictory and weak and it appeared he was relying on his ability to quote the Qu'ran in the original tongue to impress us or dissuade us. It didn't. It ended on good terms but he was still convinced of the Qu'ran. Please pray for him.

Then we found Sergio (I remembered names! I'm totally getting better at this). This was an encounter I really wanted to see happen in person. When the person is clearly not interested in talking or being bothered but you push through anyway and have a great conversation. He's a very confused kid. I'd guess early to mid 20's. There was a bit of a language barrier but it didn't hinder his understanding of what we were saying or vica versa. He kept wanting to quote things he'd heard but couldn't remember them. I really enjoyed talking to him. He understood the courtroom scenario and the debt he can't pay. He'd been trying to "do better" with sin for 2 years. We talked to him about how we can't do it on our own and God has been preparing him for us to come talk to him etc...

Rich mentioned after we left that it was like talking to a wall. He'd seem to grasp what we were saying then say that he was going to do better. It was frustrating to see him so utterly lost in the world and we have THE answer and he's unable to get it. Please pray for Sergio. He needs to be convicted and convinced of what we were saying badly.

After that it was already time to start packing up. We actually fellowshipped on the corner and grabbed random passersby as we talked and got to know each other. Since I'm a new guy I had a lot of friends to make and stories to share. It was a fantastic time and I can't wait to do it again.

Thank you Lord for the privilege and honor to do Your work among those who need it most.

Bryan

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Your friends, fellow prayer partners, and co-laborers,
David, Barbara, Steven and Paul