The Greek Easter celebration ended Monday…but that did not necessarily mean people returned to work on Tuesday! Our plans to do food shopping were thwarted because the stores were all closed, so we went to the city center to sow some incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23) and offer freely the Bread of Life (Jn. 6). We wondered if God might have switched our plans – it turned out to be a great day! The following are highlights from our 3 hours on the street:
1. Perhaps the most uplifting event was getting to see Avra, a dear Greek lady whom we have heard much about from the folks here. It was a blessing getting to meet her and we are looking forward to spending more time with her and the others during church services.
2. One gentleman approached and said “I’m 80 years old and I know I’m going to die…I just want to know the truth!” He was shown the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
3. Pray for Antonio, who believes Jesus is God and died for his sins, but has been taught that only the priests can have the Holy Spirit and that scriptural understanding is reserved only for them as well.
4. A Pentecostal man stood beside one of our members and sharply rebuked his fellow-countrymen when they refused our gifts. He stated he was ready to punch those who treated us badly. We started pointing to…just kidding 🙂 !
5. Pray that Alexis and her 7-month old baby girl visiting for 6 weeks from ? will honor her word and attend services this week. Promises like this abound, but few follow through.
Rest assured that when the precious name of Jesus is preached, it has an effect on people. Despite very low numbers of people out and about, there was no lack of excitement! We preached Christ…to many Greeks, foolishness (1 Cor. 1:23). Men earnestly contended for their religion, some to the point of fighting amongst themselves, while we earnestly contended for the faith of Christ with those who would listen (Jude 3).
We finished out the day letter-boxing in the city. It is truly amazing how many ways a letter box can be designed and built! We then enjoyed a meal together at one of the fine Greek restaurants that abound in this sea-port city.
Please make the following matters of prayer:
1. Angelo leaves May 13 and a translator is badly needed.
2. We are hopeful there will be a baptism on Saturday.
3. That our team will make a difference in someone’s life for Christ during our time here.
4. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.” (2 Thess. 3:1-2)
