Cold, damp, foggy day in Thessaloniki. Hard to believe that our time here is winding down. It’s always an honor to serve the Savior. Has been a special blessing to have the opportunity to take part in this project.
Spent another good morning at the Roman Arch (more properly, the Arch of Galerius). There are several things that make this a good spot for evangelism. In addition to the few we mentioned previously: (1) It is a popular meeting place. At any given time, there will be several people just standing around and waiting. (2) The Orthodox church in the backdrop makes for an excellent preaching prop – e????s?a de? s??e? (church does not save). (3) A couple of nearby bus stops make for great spots to get out tracts – something to pass the time while they wait for the next bus. (4) The friendly shop owner at the bakery across the street makes some excellent bougatsa.
For the past few days, we’ve been using the Greek Chick tracts donated by Bluegrass Pike Baptist Church in Danville, KY. Brother Logan was once told that Chick tracts will not work in Greece. We have had quite the opposite experience. Several times today, we had people come up to us and ask us for the tracts. Some wanted a couple extra to take to their friends. (Did have one person ask if I had done the sketches personally.)
Not only did the tracts go out well, it was not an uncommon sight to see people open them up and start to read them through. (“Chick tracts get read.”)
Also distributed a few New Testaments. One young man sat down and immediately started to read it. Watched for a few minutes, then engaged in a quick conversation just before his party arrived to meet him.
While we were at the arch, we received a call to the number listed on the tracts. A lady was asking what time the church services started. I did the best I could with Greek, and she did the best she could with English, but she eventually got frustrated and hung up. I sent a text message to the number with the service times, but not sure if she will be able to read it. Do pray (1) that she will make it to the church services; (2) that all will be put in place for Angelo’s soon return; (3) that the Lord will somehow help us handle these situations in the meantime. Brother Brent said this evening that he would like to do some more letter-boxing, but the problem – if you can call it a problem – is that it generates calls. And at the present, we have no one able to respond to them.
Will leave you with a number of blessings from the evening, then a few pictures from the day. (1) Praise the Lord Brother Logan arrived back in Thessaloniki safe and sound. (2) We were able to pick up his van from the shop, which will be very useful for the weekend. (3) A tremendous blessing to have him lead us on the evangelistic effort at the platea tonight. (4) Also treated the group to some delicious Greek food at a well-known local restaurant. Suffering for Jesus in Thessaloniki!
Photo 090 – Many standing around at the Arch of Galerius.
Photo 091 – Holly with the sign. Aimee with tracts. Stack of free New Testaments.
Photo 092 – Brother Todd, almost always has a gospel conversation going.
Photo 093 – Brother Joseph and Angelo. Trying to convince him that the poor need the gospel more than they need food. And that taking care of them is a good thing to do, but not the way of salvation.
Photo 094 – Brothers Joseph and Todd both had their passports checked by police today. Didn’t seem to be singled out. The police seemed to be approaching people somewhat randomly in that area today.
Photo 095 – View inside of the rotunda just behind the arch (to the north). Glad that Jesus died “once for all” (Hebrews 9-10) and is alive forevermore (Hebrews 7:24-25; Revelation 1:18).
Photo 096 – Brother Brent preaching Jesus at the platea.
Photo 097 – Have had many stop to read the signs. Not an uncommon sight today for people to stop and read the tracts. God’s word will not return void (Isaiah 55:10-11).
