Slow day yesterday. Spent most of the day at the mission house resting, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. Did venture out into the city in the evening for another visit to the Trigonion Tower. Got some nice photos (075-076). Found a few people out and about and distributed some tracts.
The highlight of the day was a text message from Kiriakos confirming that he’d be at the Bible study Wednesday night!
We weren’t sure what we’d find today when we made our way into Thessaloniki. Decided to camp out at the Roman arch with tracts, a banner, and a few boxes of New Testaments. (photos 077-078). (1) Not expecting nearly as much action at the platea. (2) Wanted to throw off our Orthodox friends from Monday. (3) Pretty cool to preach somewhere you expect the apostle Paul must have preached. (4) It’s close to the universities, and we thought this might give us a better chance at having conversations in English.
Made it out a bit earlier than usual. And found out why we don’t normally wait a little later to head out. Took about an hour for things to get going. Did take some time to obey Mark 16:15 (photo 079).
Our strategy worked, and we were able to have a number of good conversations in English (photos 080-081).
The need for a Greek speaker was keenly felt in several instances. In others, it was a blessing not to know what was being said. I was able to make out a few times we were called heretics or devils and told to get out of Greece.
Had another Luke 8:12 experience today. I had approached an older gentleman with a Greek greeting and a tract. Made the little bit of conversation that I could about the tract, then offered him a free New Testament, which he gladly received. Before long, a large group showed up. Apparently, this man was the leader of the group. After some photos at the arch, he told everyone about the New Testaments, and they gathered around the boxes to take one. But after seeing the church stamp in the front cover, some ladies spread the word (not Orthodox), and many of the New Testaments were returned.
After a quick lunch break, we walked down to see if we could climb up the White Tower (closed) but found a good number of people walking along the coastline, so we got out a good number of tracts there (photo 082).
Between Monday and today, we’d had a number of people promise to show up for Bible study. Unfortunately, they did not show. Hope they will keep the tracts and drop in at a later date.
Telemachus and Kiriakos both arrived early. Praise the Lord! Kiriakos came – and translated – despite coming down with a bad cold this week. What a huge answer to prayer!
After a good song service – in English and in Greek – and a word of testimony from Brother Todd (photo 083), we took a trip down the Roman’s Road, as (1) that was the next section in the lesson on Witnessing from the Bible Foundations book; (2) I figured it’d be a great Bible study for Kiriakos, a new believer; (3) we were expecting some lost people to be in the service.
Emphasized the fact that though the believer is assured of heaven, we have been left in the world to be witnesses for Christ (John 17:15-18), and the message we have to preach is truly a simple one (2 Corinthians 11:3).
A blessing and a prayer request regarding Telemachus. The blessing: before the service, he told me, “As long as I am living, I will be here every Wednesday and every Sunday.” The prayer request: still very unclear as to his salvation. After the Bible lesson, he expressed his gratitude both for the lesson and for Brother Todd’s testimony. Then added his concern that he must not be one of those whom God has chosen. Had the opportunity to address this misunderstanding and encourage him that (1) no sin is too great for God to forgive, and (2) it’s never too late to receive God’s forgiveness.
What a great God we are privileged to serve! Thanks for your continued prayers.
