Very interesting day thus far. Woke up to a gorgeous, sunny day (photo 033), excited about going to do some letter boxing and street work.
As we were getting ready to leave, Angelo came up and said that there was water in the basement. It kept coming up through a conduit in the floor so Angelo spent much of the morning mopping up water. While Angelo was mopping we started stamping the backs of tracts with the church phone number (photo 034).
By 11:00 we were finally ready to leave. So we prayed, jumped in the car, and left for Thessaloniki. As we were following Bro. Logan, a police bike came up behind us with his lights flashing. We pulled over and two police bikes with two policemen on each bike stopped about a block behind us. We were not sure what they were doing. Then they motioned Angelo to come. When he got there, they frisked him and checked his paperwork. Then they called Bro. Ryan and did the same. Next Bro. Jeff. And then Bro. Goebel. They also searched the car. Meanwhile Angelo is witnessing to them; telling them they need to get saved; that they are not guaranteed tomorrow. He offered them tracts and a Bible, but they would not take them. After they thoroughly checking us over, they let us go. Ryan and I took photos of them while we were in the car waiting, but they made us erase them.
Arriving in the city, we found many streets closed off because of a protest. Angelo dropped us off to walk to the square (photo 035), while he went to find a parking spot (about a mile away).
While handing out tracts on the way, Ryan met an English-speaking JW. Conversation soon revealed that he had no hope for a dying man, and (according to him) the Bible did not mean what it said.
We proceeded to the square where the protest was and quickly began handing out tracts. Many took tracts as the protest parade moved along. Bro. Logan and Benjamin also handed out tracts to those in the parade.
After the protest died down, we got out our scripture signs and continued to pass out tracts (photos 036-037). Bro. Logan, Bro. Jerry, and Bro. Angelo did some street preaching. Many heard the word of God; it is now their responsibility to respond. We planted seed, praying that God will give the increase.
These people are very proud and stuck on their Orthodox Church. We also met JW’s and Jews. All hoping in their own religion, but Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” Nothing can atone for their sin except the blood of Christ applied to their sin by faith.
It was a very exciting day. Not sure why some things happened the way they did, but God knows, and He is in control. We are just here to please Him.
A lot of precious seed has been sown in Thessaloniki, but there is so much more of the city to be reached. Please continue to pray for these people.
(Photos not available)