Reports
Ottawa, ON—Gospel Trip, Report 1
Today was our first day on campus! The trainees, local saints, and supporting saints from Montreal and Toronto gathered at a brother’s house located close to Carleton University. We started off by enjoying the Lord! We realized we could not go to campus unless we touched the Lord that morning. We then split into two teams, the first team heading to Carleton University to table, and the second team staying at the home (our hub) to take care of some practical needs.
After lunch, the teams switched and the BfC info cards were inputted into a google spreadsheet. In the late afternoon, we all gathered together at the home again to share our experiences on the gospel. For dinner, all the saints blended in several homes. What a sweet beginning in Ottawa!
One student prayed to receive the Lord! After praying she said she felt at peace and was very open for appointments. Another student was impressed by the Recovery Version. After mentioning that he had several Bibles of his own, he asked to look at some verses in the NT Recovery Version. The first verse was Romans 10:13 and Ephesians 3:20. We didn’t have to say anything! The Word and the footnotes spoke for themselves. After reading the Bible the student was impressed by the way the verses were translated and the accompanying footnotes.
We also had a very open couple come by! They are visiting scholars from China and are seeking ones after meeting a friend who is a pastor. They asked if they could meet with us and then if they could also bring their children!
In total we handed out 100 Bibles, 98 English and 2 French.
Prayer Burdens:
- The follow-up: students contacted on the 29th at Carleton University would be available for appointments this Wednesday!
- Many more students would pray to receive the Lord! (We had one student pray to receive the Lord today)
Orlando, FL—Gospel Trip, Report 2
January 30 was our second day on campus. This time we went to Valencia East College, but we had no table there. When we got there they said we could stay at the free speech area, which was like an island surrounded by the streets where the cars pass to drop people off. People don’t walk in this area, so we put our own table by faith and we also made a sign saying ‘‘free study Bibles’’ once we were not allowed to reach out to people. By the Lord’s mercy some students came to the table and received a copy of the Recovery Version. Two of us went to pass out tracts in a different area and 41 were distributed in total. One of those who received a tract also received a Bible and another one was interested in having an appointment. Twelve students received a copy of the New Testament Recovery Version and gave their contact information. After that we had a rich home meeting with saints in Kassimmi.
On January 31 we went to UCF, one of the top largest campus in the US. Many students approached our table to receive a copy of the Recovery Version. Three of us went to distribute tracks at the free speech area and 513 tracts were distributed! After tabling for three hours, 55 received Bibles and most of them gave their contact information for further contact. Later at night we had a rich prayer meeting with the local saints.
Prayer burdens:
- The release of the students to come to the college meeting on Thursday
- That the students would be open to have appointments and one on one Bible studies
- For the saints to ride up to be involved and encouraged with the appointments
Orlando, FL—Gospel Trip, Report 1
Praise the Lord for the church in Orlando! This weekend starting from Jan. 27, we began our gospel trip by attending to a local saint’s home. We met with the local brothers and sisters and fellowshipped about the gospel work here. More than 25 saints attended, including young ones and children. The saints opened up their burden to labor in three major colleges in Orlando. These three colleges are some of the largest colleges in the whole country, with more than 150,000 students overall, these are great “fishing ponds.”
The next day we continued to blend with the saints and had a wonderful time of coordination and preparation for our upcoming BfA (Bibles for America) distribution/tabling on campus. After much prayer and fellowship with the local saints, today Jan. 29, the church in Orlando had their first tabling on a campus after four years. This was a great opportunity for us to go out burning in spirit to find seekers. The saints were very much encouraged and joyful! Three full-time serving ones from Atlanta, GA and six local saints joined us during Bible distribution. After two hours of laboring we contacted 35 students, each receiving one New Testament Recovery Version with Basic Elements of the Christian Life. Around 70 tracts were also distributed. After going over some features of the Recovery Version the students were interested in Bible study/college meetings and further contact.
During the evening time we had dinner with the local saints, enjoying the Lord and giving an update concerning the first day on campus.
Prayer burdens:
- Follow-up with the students that were contacted
- The local saints would join the follow-up with the students to establish connections
- For the Lord to cover us and have a way during our time on the campuses, because of restrictions and limitations by the school administration
Morgan Hill/Monterey, CA—Gospel Trip, Report 3
We had a wonderful time today at our neighborhood children’s meeting! Twelve children came, including six new ones with three mothers. The children enjoyed hearing a lesson on compassion, especially with an illustration using zebras. The mothers were very appreciative and are looking forward to the upcoming events!
We had our first Bible study of the semester at Gavilan College today, where three came (all were students contacted in the last two semesters); because of the more intimate time, one new brother was introduced to and practiced pray-reading! We handed out 22 Bibles (with 12 leaving their contact info), along with 43 tracts, and contacted at least 25.
Please pray:
- For the families who had children come to the NCM, that the care for the children would lead the families to household salvation;
- For our Saturday family time, that all the families we have invited will be able to come;
- For our further contact with the students, including the Thursday Bible study and the Friday welcome dinner.
Morgan Hill/Monterey, CA—Gospel Trip, Report 2
Today (1/30/18) we split up, one half of our team planned for a neighborhood children’s meeting and the other went to the campus for the second day. There are more children than adults among the families in Morgan Hill, and the saints are seeking a new beginning with the children’s work. The children’s meeting tomorrow will take place in local family’s home, where we’re expecting 12, children including six new ones.
At Gavilan College, we handed out 20 Bibles, which was less than yesterday, yet there were 15 students who left their contact info with us. Overall, we contacted 49 people and handed out around 200 tracts, along with invitations to our Bible studies this Wednesday and Thursday. Many were eager to learn about the Bible and come to a Bible study!
Some of the school’s basketball team were happy to meet us, even some who came to a Bible study last semester. One student told us it was his birthday today and that he was planning to go to a bookstore to buy a Bible, but instead he saw us on campus and gladly received a free Recovery Version!
Please pray:
- For the neighborhood children’s meeting on Wednesday; that the new children would enjoy their time and that their parents would be involved, providing an opening for the seed of the gospel and desire to come regularly to the NCM.
- For the Bible study on Wednesday and Thursday; that many with whom we had follow-up would come and have their eyes opened to the Lord’s riches in His word.
- That the Lord would bless the further contact and follow-up at Gavilan College.
February 2, 2018