Close Up Street Preaching
Many of the rock/mud tracks up through the mountain Puroks are extremely narrow and have no room for a vehicle to pass, except for a motorbike so we walk, carrying the 25kg sound system. flood lights and large newly donated battery. Of course this is fun for the first 30 metres but then becomes a challenge which after 400m becomes an endurance test.
But, on one occasion last week when the rain was coming down hard and even though the alleys are very narrow and most shacks have some form of canopy roof that almost overlaps the canopy roof on the opposite side of the track we still have to take refuge from the deluge running off the canopies and forming a gushing stream amidst the mud, rock pools that form the track. So, whilst sheltering from this one particularly strong deluge it occurred to me to begin testifying to the dozen or so locals also seeking shelter right there beside us.
Many of the rock/mud tracks up through the mountain Puroks are extremely narrow and have no room for a vehicle to pass, except for a motorbike so we walk, carrying the 25kg sound system. flood lights and large newly donated battery. Of course this is fun for the first 30 metres but then becomes a challenge which after 400m becomes an endurance test.
But, on one occasion last week when the rain was coming down hard and even though the alleys are very narrow and most shacks have some form of canopy roof that almost overlaps the canopy roof on the opposite side of the track we still have to take refuge from the deluge running off the canopies and forming a gushing stream amidst the mud, rock pools that form the track. So, whilst sheltering from this one particularly strong deluge it occurred to me to begin testifying to the dozen or so locals also seeking shelter right there beside us.
I began to preach loud so as to be heard above the roar of the rain on the tin sheet roofing above us, no speaker system just opening conversation and directly addressing the people. Somehow without the microphone and amplification I felt better connected and closer to the people. I realized there and then that certainly the sound system has a place but there is a far warmer response when we don't use it but instead talk close up and face to face.
Straight away one of the team began interpreting for me. Soon the group of listeners doubled in size as those within ear shot enthusiastically came and joined the small group. They listened eagerly, nodding and shaking their heads in all the right places. Actually, we testify so often that usually we can give our testimony as to how our lives were before Christ, how we came to Christ
and how life is now within a few minutes. During which testimony we point out sin and Gods cure for it through Christ’s life, cross & ressurection. Then we offer a simple invitation to repent and surrender their lives to Christ. On this occasion, all but one raised their hand to ask God’s forgiveness. I loved this experience. Felt like I learnt something new. It was as if a barrier had been removed and an expansion to our outreach had begun.
Because we were heading for a scheduled meeting at a small local school we did not have time to offer prayer for the sick but by Gods grace we will return. I believe a deeper more personal work occurred among those 25 or so up close people.
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