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SOS Monthly Newsletter - April 2005Witnessing in the RainDear Christian friends, I was saved in a Christian house ministry in Portland, Oregon in 1970. We worked on a berry farm for one month, then witnessed full-time for two months. It was winter, and it rained almost every day. It was impossible to stay dry, or to keep our gospel tracts dry. So, I spent my days in downtown Portland offering wet tracts to people. Amazingly, many people took them, and some even got saved. San Francisco has one the best climates in the world for street witnessing. We get 3 inches or more of rain only three months a year. New York City averages 3 inches or more of rain every month! Most of our rain comes between January and March. It rarely rains here from April through September. We almost never cancel an outreach because of rain. On rainy nights, we usually witness at Powell and O’Farrell Streets, one block from Union Square. This location has a store awning that extends over the entire sidewalk, and lots of people walk by. On rainy afternoons, we set up canopies, either on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley or on Fisherman’s Wharf. Both are busy locations, even on rainy days. The canopies keep our musicians, preachers, and sound system dry. We can pass out tracts and witness under nearby store awnings. On February 19 (after witnessing in the rain for 35 years) I learned a new trick. By putting the stem of my umbrella under my jacket and zipping it up, my jacket holds the umbrella in place. I can stay dry and have two hands free to pass out tracts! Fortunately, it stopped raining when we set up and tore down our sound system. The annual Chinese New Year Parade was held that night. Although we didn’t have an official SOS outreach to the parade, five of our friends passed out tracts there. Craig Halverson flew in from Utah to witness at the parade and at our outreaches. It almost always rains on this parade. This year was no exception. Sometimes, Christians say they are afraid they will get sick if they witness on cold or rainy days. As far as I know, nobody ever got sick from witnessing in the rain with us. People seem to have a different attitude about going out in the rain when it involves a secular pursuit. At least 200,000 people didn’t allow their fear of getting sick to keep them from attending the Chinese New Year Parade. Many, undoubtedly, had colds or the flu. Football players often play on cold, rainy days with the flu. Some even play with broken bones! “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Cor. 9:26. When I find witnessing in the rain uncomfortable, I think of the sacrifices made by Christians who endured tremendous suffering, torture, and death to spread the gospel. I think of the sacrifice Jesus made that saved me from my sins. In comparison, the sacrifice I am making, witnessing in the rain, seems small – even insignificant. ON THE STREETSDuring our Christmas outreach in Berkeley, we met Steve Longacre. Twenty years ago, Steve played in a Christian band that ministered with us in San Francisco. On January 22, he brought a group of 11 men and women from his home church, Calvary Chapel of Grass Valley, to witness with us in Berkeley. He sent me the following report of their outreach: Robin witnessed to a woman by the name of Londa who was thirsty. Robin got her bottled water and gave it to her, saying "This will help your thirst now, but you'll get thirsty again. Have you ever heard of living water?" Then Robin explained to her that Jesus is the Living Water and only He can quench our spiritual thirst. Robin took her through a Bible Study of John Chapter 4 where Jesus ministered to the woman at the well. Londa listened closely as Robin presented the Gospel. She didn't pray the "sinner's prayer" but a seed was planted. Meanwhile, Steve and Allan were sharing the Gospel is a similar way with two young men, Grant and Dingy, near the University. They were begging for pizza so Steve bought them some pizza. Then Steve shared with them that this pizza would satisfy them only for a short while and then they'd be begging for more. He shared that Jesus was the only one who could meet their need permanently and satisfy their spiritual hunger. Steve did a Bible Study from the book of John Chapter 6 where Jesus fed the five thousand and then confronted the crowd by saying "You guys just want bread. What you need is Jesus, the Bread of life." From this passage of scripture, Steve led them to Romans and laid out the Gospel through key verses in Romans. Then he asked them if they wanted to accept Jesus. Dingy said no, he wanted to go to hell and would never come to Jesus. Grant was much more receptive. He really thought through the gospel but was not ready to make a commitment. Please pray for Londa, Grant and Dingy. They were given gospel tracts and information on a local church and Grant was given a Bible. Pray that God will continue to draw them to Himself. It was raining on February 18 so we witnessed at Powell and O’Farrell St. Craig prayed with Chris to receive Christ. After praying, Chris said he felt God’s hand coming down and lifting up his heart to heaven. Last week I got a call from Steve. We met Steve about 4 months ago in Berkeley. He was a backslidden Christian who was involved in drugs. We took him home and helped him get into Oakland Teen Challenge. He stayed there one week and went to Seattle. He is now living at a Christian house in Tacoma, WA called Agape House. He is doing well spiritually. Please pray for Chris and Steve.
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