Today, if you hear his voice...

Today was my first real Evangelism Outreach Day. We fanned out across London in teams going into neighborhoods to meet and talk with people on behalf of God, of course, and a local ministry, "Cast Your Cares Upon Him Because He Cares for You." Yes, that is the name. It's a prayer ministry that holds prayer services twice a week for the community. I was paired with a 26 year old woman from Ghana, who shared with me as we walked to our assignment that this was her first time evangelizing in the streets. I smiled and said, "God knew just what He was doing when He paired us up."

God was using me to show her the ropes, so to speak. As we walked to a town square and, later to an outdoor marketplace, I was able to share some insights about discerning who to approach, praying after each encounter and how to engage in conversation with a stranger. She was a fast learner and did an excellent job once she got started. I let her handle all of the encounters since my accent was a dead giveaway that I wasn't from around there. She told me afterwards that she had learned a lot. And whatever fears she may have had were gone. I was so proud of her. I thank God for bringing us together.

I must share one encounter, in particular, that we had with a well-dressed old man. He attracted my attention because he was just standing on the sidewalk with no particular purpose on a busy street. I could see as we approached that he was frail and his hand was trembling (maybe Parkinsons). He appeared to be in his 80's, maybe even 90's. I asked if he needed help (a good way to begin in situations like this). Cynthia asked if he lived in the neighborhood, which he did, so she took over from there. At some point, I heard him say to her, "I don't pray," which surprised her so I took over to explore that question with him a little more.

It turns out that he does pray. However, he is a Muslim, so he believes in God, just not in Jesus as God's son. He believes that Jesus was a messenger of God. I attempted to explain the gospel to him but he kept repeating that Jesus was a messenger. I realized that I was looking at a  man whose time is quickly running out to make the decision to accept Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior. And unless he does so, he is doomed to spend eternity in Hell. Instinctively, I was moved to pray for him right on the spot. I placed my hand on his shoulder and prayed as Cynthia watched. The opportunity for salvation was right there for him within his reach and he would not take advantage of it. Hebrews 4:7 warns: "Today, if you hear his [God's] voice, do not harden your hearts." This man was blinded (Isa 42:6-7), not so much hardened because he did listen to me. However, he had lived so long in this state, it was difficult to get through to him. Nevertheless, I prayed that God would have mercy and open his eyes before they close for a final time (Luke 12:20). When I finished, the old man smiled at me and kissed Cynthia on the cheek as we parted company with him.

I believe God arranged this encounter to give the old man another chance at salvation. Like everything else He does, I believe God gives us multiple chances until our chances run out. I will never know what will happen to the old man after I return to the States. I can only hope that when next we meet it will be in Heaven.

This is missions: first lesson

"He learned obedience by the things He suffered...Hebrews 5:7-9"

Forget about the Queen, the Son is shining on Great Britain. My six hour overnight British Airways flight from Philadelphia  went better than I expected— it was comfortably short. The time goes fast. When the plane crossed the International Dateline, it was really awesome to go from darkness into the light in a blink of an eye. Witnessing this spectacle, I immediately thought about the biblical account of creation where in Genesis 1 God separated the evening from the day.

My flight arrived at Heathrow airport at 6:30 am. While I was waiting to be picked-up, I saw Olympians from the various countries arriving, as a nearby Salvation Army brass band played "Crown Him Lord of All" in the airport no less. Finally, transport arrives and I pile into the van with others on the Team who had been waiting with me.

On the drive through the city, London looks very much like any American city except for the traffic pattern, which is opposite of the traffic patterns in the U.S.. What should be on the right is left and vice versa. My first impression of London is a positive one. It's a clean city, architecturally pleasing, with a colorful mix of different cultures and distinct accents.

The first day is all about settling in and getting acclimated to new our new surroundings. The Team is staying at a Girl's High School just outside of London. Some of you probably thought I'd be staying in a nice hotel. When they told me to bring my own sheets, blankets, pillows and towels, I knew it wasn't likely. The school's two large gym floors were converted into a sleeping area complete with a sea of mostly air mattresses. My bed is a foam mattress from IKEA (I was blessed). There is  a cafeteria for meals and so far, the food has been good. Still there's a lot to get used to, and there's been the usual creature comfort complaints from some Team members.

But THIS IS MISSIONS. And the lesson I've learned from this first day is that humility, obedience and sacrifice is what missions is all about. Don't do missions if you just need a vacation. You'll be disappointed. It's not a walk in the park; it's not a picnic either. Missions requires a sacrificial commitment and a willingness to serve often under difficult circumstances. Like Paul, I've had to make an attitude adjustment to be content and to focus solely on why I came to London. As long as I keep this thought in the forefront of my mind, I will be in the place where God can use me. As Christians, we must remember that "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Cor 4:17)."

Having said this, I must tell one last story: Three Team members and myself were standing around talking together. It was clear from our body language and our faces that we were exhausted and worn out from our travels and from what was turning into the longest day. So we're standing there waiting to be assigned a sleeping space when suddenly, my mouth opens and I blurt out, "I'll be glad when this day is over." Realizing that I had voiced the exact sentiments of everybody else, the group erupted into an uncontrollable fit laughter that lasted for several minutes. It was exactly what we needed to lift our weary spirits. and prepare us for the real work ahead.

And so the evening and the morning were just the first day...

God's miracle gift: Just when I thought it couldn't get any better

^"Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:38).” Jesus said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21)."

This blog was unplanned but something so miraculous happened today that I couldn't keep it to myself.

At the beginning of my campaign, before I had even collected one dime, God spoke to my spirit and told me to give away ten percent of what I hoped to raise for the trip to London. I was asking God for $4,000, which meant I was to give away $400. My first impression was, "How crazy is that? I'm trying to raise money, not give it away!" As I spoke that thought, I caught myself: "Only God would tell me to do something like this. And even though it made little sense at the time, somehow I knew there would be a great blessing in store if I did as He said."

I immediately opened my checkbook and wrote checks out to four different Christian ministries that God put on my heart to give to. Later, one of the ministries actually called to thank me for my donation (something the woman said they never do). Even more amazing, I shared that I was going to London, and she gave me the name of her contact there, who I've already spoken to and plan to meet. This was just the seed being planted.

Now fast forward to today.

As of Sunday, the total raised from the campaign was $4,336. And I was quite happy that I had reached (even surpassed) MY goal, and thankful to God for this miracle of giving. But little did I know that God wasn't through yet. He had a promise to keep---His word. On Monday, a new friend drops by my house with an unexpected donation. Then two more donations came in the mail. And another donation on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I dropped by the bank before my flight and a spirit-filled teller, named  Grace, handled me still another surprise donation. At first, I didn't get the connection between these five last minute donations. It wasn't until I added them to the previous total that I realized what God had done. The new total now stands at $4,456.  Remember that $400 seed gift?

God gave back to me all that I had given away and more! Luke 6:38 is this day fulfilled in my life just as He promised. How faithful is our God? When I think about all that has happened up until now, this whole campaign has been a miracle of God. And not for me only. I hope this testimony inspires somebody to believe God for what He's promised. And whatever He tells you to do...do it. There's a great blessing in it.

Now it's on to London...to meet Him there.