Alan wrote me such a lengthy e-mail today, I will try to condense it down and give you the 'Cliff Notes' version...If you've read the earlier posts, you recall that day one of evangelism was great. I guess yesterday was more frustrating with lots of people saying, "Neyt, or No," and some difficulties with his translator and national...as in, being left out of important conversations and missing important questions. He said they worked it out, though. His day ended great; He and another team member, Brendan, started a soccer game at 4pm in the field behind the church they are 'planting.' It was a huge success (see Sandra's e-mail - the previous post) and lots of fun, too. It's now a daily tradition and great evangelism tool! Today they met again at 4pm for another game and there was a whole group of men there to play; They'd already assembled their own team! The other NEBC team members who weren't playing soccer were able to spend time talking and sharing the Gospel with the crowd who had gathered to watch. What success!!!
Before the game today, they hit the pavement to meet and talk to people at the apartment buildings. He said he felt like they had some really great conversations and established good relationships with some of the people. Three of the people he spoke with today were babushkas, or grandmothers, who told him how bad America and Bush are and I guess went on and on. After talking with him for a while, they told Alan they really liked him, so he hoped that at the least, he'd improved their view of Americans. In the evening, Alan preached during the church service. His message was about having assurance of salvation, since that's one of the things the Orthodox church in Moldova doesn't believe in. The Orthodox church teaches that Jesus' death and resurrection makes it possible for us to go to heaven, but that each time you sin, you can lose your salvation and have to earn it back. How very sad and hopeless!
In John 6:37-40, Jesus says, "37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
I didn't get the impression that Al's post-Air Force career choice will be preaching, but he said that inspite of being really nervous, God gave him peace and it went OK. His quote was, "I was just glad I didn't get stoned as a Heretic!" Oh, that man!
PRAYER REQUESTS for tomorrow: Better communication between the team and their translators & nationals, matching energy levels for the team and their translators & nationals, continued health and safety, clarity and love as they share the Gospel message and for God to prepare the hearts of all the Moldovan people the team will encounter tomorrow. THANK YOU!
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