Just a little update on what has been happening the last few months:This summer I was canvassing for ten weeks and that was a challenge and a blessing. For those of you who do not know what canvassing means, it is a door-to-door method of evangelism work where individuals sell religious books on a donation basis. This work was truly a challenge to me and a huge blessing as well. There were some days that I didn't want to keep going but by the grace of God I pulled through and I can look back and see ways in which I have grown. I can't tell you how many specific prayers I saw God answer throughout this summer. It was a great encouragement to me and it personally strengthened my faith in God. Let me tell you an amazing story.
I honestly don't like courthouses. I associate them with getting speeding tickets, police officers and jail. Throughout the summer, I had several opportunities to canvass courthouses. Each time the experience was a bit intimidating - tall building, police officers, security officers at the door, upset people etc. I know that there are people inside of courthouses who may not have an opportunity otherwise to see or hear of Jesus. I definitely know there are people inside of courthouses who would appreciate a word of encouragement or a prayer. On this particular day I approached a courthouse and on the inside I was really scared. I began praying earnestly in my heart that the Lord would open a way for me to reach people within this courthouse and that I could be a blessing and meet people's specific needs.
I walked inside the door and was promptly greeted by a security officer. He immediately asked what was I doing, what case did I have to present and who did I want to see. I responded that I didn't have a case to present, I wanted to speak with anyone who was available and that I was a student working on a summer scholarship project. He thought for a moment and then directed me to the sheriff's office. If going inside a courthouse was intimidating, being sent straight to the sheriff's office was worse. "But hey," I thought, "there might be someone in there who needs exactly the books that I have got." So off I went. I spoke with the officers and in the end, one of the officers ended up getting the book "Bible Answers!"
I headed back to the lobby and the security guard asked me if I had had a successful conversation with the sheriff's department. I answered that I had and he directed me next to the county judge's office. I really began praying that the Lord would use me in such a way so that I could be a blessing to the judge's heart. After waiting a moment, the judge called me in her office and I showed her the books that I had and told her about them. All the while I was praying and in the end, she got the devotional book "Christ's Object Lessons." I went from that office rejoicing!
The same security guard told me to visit the tax offices next. One of the ladies in there told me that she had a young daughter. She was immediately interested in the children's book that I had and got the book for her daughter saying that she wanted her child to have a good book about Jesus to read. One of the other ladies in the same office got the beautiful devotional book "Steps to Christ." Again, I was rejoicing that the Lord was using me to bless others and to meet their needs.After leaving the tax offices, I noticed a young man waiting outside of a courtroom. I sat down by him and started a conversation. It turns out that he was struggling with some family issues and that he was searching for a deeper walk with the Lord. He mentioned that he enjoyed studying about end time events and I was able to give him the book "The Great Controversy" which speaks about that. He was very thankful that I had stopped by and he was very appreciative of the book. We had a prayer together and when we had finished praying he had tears in his eyes. He kept saying he was so glad I had stopped by and that our meeting was not a coincidence. Again, I went on my way praising the Lord that He was directly answering my prayers. All in all, in that courthouse five books went out. The Lord had answered my prayer that I could be a blessing to others and meet their specific needs. I also later found out that a friend of mine had at the same time been specifically praying that five books would go out at that courthouse! The Lord is beyond amazing! What a blessing and a privilege to be doing the Lord's work!
That was just one experience and I could share many more. Now, I am back at school. I am the assistant girls dean for the academy and that is such a blessing as well! I ask that you keep me in prayer this semester as I work with these girls. I long to see each one of them grow in their relationship with the Lord.
