Monday Night Visitation/Evangelism (12/22/08)

Finally! After three years of door to door ministry and sharing the gospel with those who live around us in the community of Wendell, we were stopped by police on Monday night. Apparently some lady was scared that Coop, Elizabeth and Trel (harmful group, I know) were there to do her harm.  According to the officer, there have been several complaints. She misheard Coop and thought we were from Bethlehem church, and after contacting Bethlehem and being told there was no door to door going on tonight, the police went out in full force looking for us troublesome Christians. The two policeman (one attends HBC and ID'd us as Hephzibians) took down some information, told us it was illegal to solicit in Wendell, told us to continue on with caution if we must, but only go to houses with porch lights on, and if we were to be complained on again, we will get Citations or something along those lines, a misdemeanor in the town limits of Wendell. And afterwards had the nerve to say "But keep sharing the Word!"  I have some harsh feelings towards this subject, but I will write on that on facebook later this week, as that is my personal view and not the official stance of the HBC YAM.  

     Visits, after about 20 minutes of Satan making attempts of hindering the Gospel, went very well. I suspect that is why we were being hindered, because of the success and encouragement the night would bring to all of us. Coop's group never even encountered the police, and met with 3 houses, and were invited in to talk to all of them, except of course the first one, who inevitably called the police. They would have finished early, but were told by one house that the neighbors could use some prayer, so they continued on and met some fellow Christians and enjoyed a good time of fellowship.  Another group that went out had several people that were not welcoming to the Message we had to bring, but did have one visit with a guy named David that went well, and witnessed to some kids that seemed to be receptive to the Gospel, but had it cut short by dinner. The other group had several good visits, the Gospel was shared, and we ended the night by meeting a family that goes to HBC and has for some time. Kerry, Carol, and their 2 kids (kinda kids, upper teens). It is always great meeting brothers and sisters in the Lord, and even more so when they are people who take the Lord's Supper with us. 

     Obviously, with 3 groups going out, we had a good crowd come out Monday. It was in the low 20's, with wind chill factor down in the teens. We were all well bundled (this made that run in with the law that much more frustrating, that is was really really cold).  With many of us going to Honduras this coming week, there is an immediate need for more help to go out this coming Monday.  Call Coop for further information. We meet at 6:45 on Mondays in the gravel parking lot.  Be in prayer for the trip to Honduras.  

     Come out to the Christmas Eve service Wednesday, December 24 at 8pm. It will be in the Worship Center.  Merry Christmas to all! Check out my facebook in the future days for further feelings and thoughts on our run in with the police.  -Bubba