Had a bit of a delayed start to the day, due to problems with the Logan’s van and the heating system at the mission house. Decided (1) that the guys would drive in to town in the car and start the outreach upon arrival, (2) the ladies would venture in on the public transit after (3) Sister Irene arranged for a serviceman to look at the heater this evening (which he did, and it is now working properly, praise the Lord), and (4) we would wait and see if the van would start when we got back (which it did, praise the Lord, and is now at the shop to be looked at tomorrow). Used the extra time while getting all this figured out to fold some gospel tracts.
And good thing. Because I only thought we had good crowds yesterday. Sun was out, temps were up (at least for the afternoon), and the crowds were unbelievable. No total count on the tracts passed today, but it was well over 1,000.
Another day full of good witnessing opportunities, both in English and Greek. Brother Joseph’s preaching seemed to stir up the crowd, in a good way, as many were provoked to stop and ask what all the yelling was about. Notice Brother Koletas, pictured below, in the Bible with some enquiring souls.
Used the 2:30-5:30 Greek siesta to eat lunch and take a walking tour of the city: the Roman arch where Paul surely preached back in the first century; a Greek Orthodox church close by; and the famous White Tower of Thessaloniki along the Aegean sea coast.
Just to underscore the need for this effort in Thessaloniki. Today, members of the team here conversed with representatives of the Watchtower Organization (pictured below), the Mormon cult, and the Worldwide Mission Society Church of God (worshippers of heavenly mother). All these groups are here in the city to do the same thing we are here to do (only ours is a true gospel). In addition to that, it was heart braking to enter the ornately decorated Orthodox church and watch people practice their vain religion: lighting candles, kissing images, chanting prayers, and leaving with no more hope, peace, or forgiveness than they had when they entered.
Your continued prayers are much appreciated. Everyone is doing well, enjoying the fellowship, and thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the Lord.