Our Inability is God's Opportunity

“Until you know that life is a war, you cannot know what prayer is for.” – J. Piper

I was talking to some friends, and the topic of canvassing came up. They asked, “Are you coming canvassing tomorrow?” I replied, “Of course! You don’t have to convince me.” Little did I realise it would be more difficult than I had anticipated. I woke up the next morning with a very sore throat, struggling to talk, and coughing a lot. I determined to go out anyway.

After lunch, my team leader said, “Are you ready to get out Ash?” I hesitated as I really don’t like letting people down, but I said, “I’m really sorry I’m not feeling to good, and I have lost my voice…”

After a while, I decided I was going to try, although I knew in my own strength I was incapable but with God all things are possible, so I said, “Can you drop me off – I’ll give it a shot!” With a prayer and some encouragement I was sent to canvass with a friend, and as soon as we got together we knelt down and prayed, asking God to bless, open hearts and doors as he saw fit, prepare the way for us and fill in for our insufficiency.

Not long later we came to this door, and the elderly gentleman who answered expressed he wasn’t really interested, but was more than happy to have a chat. So we talked about religion, God, the misery in the world, loving your neighbour, and a number of different areas of religion. Throughout the conversation he inferred he thought we were doing a great job, but he had looked at all the religions and he had set his mind on the right one. He then mentioned that, loving your neighbour is the underlying principle of his religion. After discussing with him, I asked if he would be willing to take a Path to Peace or a DVD and just have a read/watch, He said, “Okay, I can do that.” I then asked if he would mind if we prayed with him before we left, and he agreed. So he turned from not being willing to look at anything, to committing to read the book.

A couple of doors later we met a very devout atheist. He was handicapped and rarely left his house; it took him a while to open the door. I handed him the Great Controversy, but he was not interested. He told us he had been through enough and seen enough years to know what was right and wrong. But I wasn’t convinced. He wanted to donate to us, but I didn’t have enough change, so I radioed the team leader and asked for some change.

As I walked to the van to get the change, I was trying to think What could I say to this man? I kept thinking, He just doesn’t know what he is missing out on. I got to the van, talked with the leader, and asked a few questions, as well as sharing the experience, and went back to the door – with a new fire to ignite this man’s candle. After some discussion he agreed to take a DVD and watch it. Praise the Lord! I was just delighted. It is one thing to sell a book, but it is another thing when someone commits to study and take a serious look into Christianity. Especially an atheist!

Time always passes too quickly, and it wasn’t long later when I heard the call, “Get ready for pick up. We will be there in five minutes.”

My heart almost sank, I thought, We can't finish a day here. So we walked quickly on to the next door and to my surprise, after a drawn out conversation, we sold a Great Controversy. My friend was over-joyed and laughing just as the van came to pick us up. Our team leader said, “Looks like you two are having to much fun; I might have to just take one of you!” We were both enjoying it so much, we requested to continue and our request was granted – thanks to our team leader!

As we went on, we came to another door, canvassed the lady, and smiled as we told her about Bountiful Health, which she had already taken a vested interest in. I canvassed her the Great Controversy and without any convincing she told us she liked it and would like to get both. But she only had a fifty-dollar note, so I suggested, “Well, you could get any other book we’ve got as well for that much.” She said, “Oh okay! Can I get another cookbook?” We agreed, and the deal was done!

That day was a blessing, and although I found it challenging to talk, between coughing and being unwell, God intervened and through my weakness He was strong! On the first door we got out two Bountiful Health and one Great Controversy, and on the last door we got out two Bountiful Health and one Great Controversy!

God’s grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Don’t doubt what He can do for you; pray and except miracles! He is waiting for an excuse to bless His ambassadors! 

-Ash

Providential Canvassing Experiences

Earlier this year, I was out canvassing with a friend. It was one of my first times canvassing. We knocked on a door where there was obviously a tradesman working inside. I was thinking to myself that he’d be too busy to talk. But he came to the door, although he had been tiling and had glue on his hands so couldn’t handle the books. My friend canvassed him Bountiful Health and he was very interested and said he’d buy it for his mother. So he went off to get the money and came back with $20 which he said was all he had. He alluded to the fact that he was on his own and when we gave him a Path to Peace he said he’d read that one himself. We left and went next door. 

As we were walking, I asked my friend why she hadn’t canvassed him the other books – was it because he said that was all the money he had? She said she should have and we discussed how we both sensed that there was something wrong and that he was close to tears. So we went back and canvassed him the other books and he broke down and started to cry. He told us how his wife had left him a couple of years ago and that he still loved her and felt he didn’t deserve to be treated like that. He said he didn’t see his nineteen year old daughter anymore either. He so appreciated that we just took the time to listen to him. We were able to leave him with a Health and Peace which he was very grateful for, and said he would start reading that night.

Later that day, I was canvassing with Jessica in power hour and by this time I was doing the cookbook canvas myself. We had just left someone’s door and walked back to the curb to move on to the next house, when a young lady, who was walking her dog, approached us and asked if we have cookbooks. She had obviously heard our canvas at the previous door! She had a look at all our books, and especially liked Bountiful Health – while the dog tangled her up in its lead and behaved very impatiently. She showed us she lived in a house just over the road and if we came back to her house in twenty minutes, she’d be finished walking the dog, and she’d give us money for a cookbook. So we went back, and she took Bountiful Health and the complimentary Path to Peace. It was an amazing experience because we did nothing – she approached us.

-Jenny

Witnessing to People You Know

Sometimes, it’s hardest to witness to people you know.

I had been praying for an opportunity to share the books we’ve been canvassing with my music teacher. I wasn’t sure how to go about it though; because I know her well, I couldn’t turn up at her door and canvass her like everyone else. And, I wouldn’t have liked to have taken a donation for the books, because she already gives me so much – yet I know she wouldn’t just take them. I didn’t want to give her the books, because I wasn’t sure if she had time to read.

But about two weeks ago, her and I were having a discussion (as we generally do), when she said that she loved reading, and she reads every day. Her idea of heaven was a bright sunny room, the most comfortable snuggly lounges and rows of rows of books – floor to ceiling bookshelves. I agreed that sounded pretty nice, as I enjoy reading too. The conversation moved on, or rather, the lesson got started, but I realized something. God had just given me an opportunity: my teacher and I had just had a conversation about reading, and she told me she reads every day. I decided to give her a book.

I was nervous about the idea – I feel out of practice with witnessing at the moment, and I’m not the type of person who can easily make conversation, and have the right words at the right time. But I prayed a lot about it during the week, and I decided that God gave me the opportunity, so He’d give me the strength. I was also thinking of the times Ellen White says we give account for the opportunities we’ve used, and those we’ve wasted. God had given me an opportunity; it was my responsibility to use it.

Of course, my worries were in vain. Isn’t it crazy how we get surprised when God is God like He says He will be? I gave my teacher Peace Above the Storm, and told her that after our conversation the previous week, I decided to give her ‘a piece of heaven.’ She seemed to like it, and before I left, she thanked me again and said she would read it.

I’m glad I took the opportunity, and that my teacher gratefully accepted the book. I’m praying that it will be a blessing to her – and if you feel impressed, please pray for her too.

It’s encouraging to be reminded that when God gives opportunities, He gives us the strength and courage to meet them. He prepares hearts to receive knowledge of Him, and we really have nothing to be worried about.  

So, how do you witness to people you know? Do you find it more or less difficult? How has God been proving to you that He’s got everything under control?

Keep striving onward and upward!

Jessica

A Rewarding Work

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

Over the past couple of weeks I have been canvassing and sharing books door to door. I would like to relate a couple of experiences that have really stood out in my memory as divine appointments, and amazing opportunities. Canvassing is a very rewarding work, which requires tact, patience and perseverance, as well as a willing heart.  Something I have to keep reminding myself is, you never know what influence or blessing someone may gain from a simple experience that we can too easily take for granted.  

One day when I was out canvassing, I knocked on the first few doors and no one was home, so I silently prayed, asking for some open doors, and hearts receptive to take the books. (I was canvassing with someone who had never canvassed before and I really wanted it to be a real blessing for them to see God actively working through us to bless others.) Upon reaching the next door, an elderly lady came out and she seemed quite friendly. As I canvassed her the cookbook with lots of healthy recipes, she turned to me and said, “Do you have another one? Could I get two of these?” I answered, “Yes, I sure do! Here you go,” handing her the other cookbook from my bag. Then she went inside to get a donation, handing it to me with a “Thank you.” I told her that when people help us out with a donation, we like to leave them with a reading book, showing her The Great Controversy. She was so delighted that she told me she would be reading it for sure, and using the cookbook as well. Greatly encouraged, and delighted at God’s immediate answer to prayer, we departed, smiling!  

Another time I was canvassing, I came to this door, and barely finished the introduction before the lady blurted out, “Oh, I have a grand-daughter with that name as well! And she is so sweet; she’s an absolutely beautiful good girl! You must be too, because you have the same name.” She smiled even broader I showed her what we had. After talking for a while she turned to get a donation, stating she was going to get the cookbook for her grand-daughter to cook healthy. I was smiling at what some would call a coincidence, but no, it was a divine appointment! When she returned I said, “Well actually, I haven’t showed you what else we’ve got,” and pulling out the Peace Above the Storm I handed to her - just as her phone rang. She answered, and then told the person on the phone that she had these lovely young people at her door one by the same name as her granddaughter! After the phone call, I canvassed her Peace Above the Storm. It didn’t take any convincing: she smiled and gave a donation, so happy that we had dropped by!

I was canvassing on my own one day, and I took the opportunity to spend each moment between doors, and while waiting at the doors, to pray for divine appointments, quick shut downs, and open hearts and homes in need of His love that would be open to receive the books. I remember this particular door very well: I knocked, a nicely dressed lady came to the door, I introduced myself and, before I could show her the books, she told me she was about to go out, and didn’t have much time. I told her I would just quickly show her the book that, in particular, the ladies have been loving: Peace Above the Storm. She read the title and I could just see in her face that she wanted it; it grabbed her attention, and when I said “freedom from worry, guilt and fear” her eyes almost lit up with a smile! She asked, "How much do you want for it?" I told her that people generally help out with a donation around so much, and she went inside, returned with a donation, and with a warm smile, thanked me for coming by.

We all want to hear that wonderful assurance as overcomers, "WELL DONE, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:21) Then, let us today, tomorrow, and forever, be faithful in that which is least.

God bless you, and go bless!

-Ash

God's Never-Failing Protection

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

God has answered many prayers in my brief canvassing experience. He has answered prayers about the weather, our safety, for divine appointments and opportunities, for the right people to answer the doors, and even for someone to canvass with. It’s exciting to see Him directly answering my prayers. But what is also exciting is being able to look back on certain experiences and see God working and organizing things without me even knowing about it. Before I called on Him, He had it all worked out.

One afternoon, myself, a friend, and my brother had about an hour in town free, so we decided to canvass a fairly large block. First we had to decide who would go with who, and then we had to decide who would go which direction around the block. They weren’t very major decisions, and we just decided that my brother would go with me and we would go clockwise from where we started, and our friend would go the other direction by herself.

We had a productive hour; both of us groups ran out of stock in our bags, and got to have some good conversations with people. The side my brother and I chose included a little place, with a deceiving large number of houses in it. It became evident that this was a shady part of town. But we got around it, met a few nice people, were able to share some books and the smaller Path to Peace, and went home rejoicing.

Several weeks later, as the same friend was canvassing the block next the one above, she met a talkative lady, who informed her that directly over the road was where all the drug dealers lived, and she had a lot of trouble with them. As soon as our friend shared that, we both could see God’s hand in directing my brother to go with me that afternoon, and for us to choose that side of the block, rather than our friend doing it on her own. While we didn’t even realize the situation, God had it all worked out.

God did this again for me in a small way last time I was out canvassing. I was by myself, and I came to a house set a fair way off the road. I couldn’t decide whether it was lived in or not, so I went in to try anyway. As I stood knocking on the door, all these dogs in the neighbour’s back yard got excited, and started barking and running up and down the fence. I was thankful they were in the neighbour’s yard, because they didn’t sound or look friendly. No one answered my knocks, so I walked off the veranda, and took one more look at the dogs, as I walked back to the road. And then I noticed what the neighbour’s dogs were excited about: It wasn’t me after all. Instead, there was another dog on this side of the fence, and it was running up and down the same side of the fence I was on. He was big, and he was mad. I said a quick prayer, and walked down that driveway as fast and smoothly as I possibly could. Praise God, the dog didn’t even notice me.

Yes, I did pray when I noticed that the dog and I were on the same side of the fence, but God was already answering my prayers before I spoke them. That dog was in the yard the whole time I stood knocking at the door, and waiting for an answer. I walked in; it could’ve noticed my movement. I knocked loudly; it could’ve heard me. But I believe God made it blind to me, and kept it absorbed with the dogs over the fence, so that I could walk out of there safely.

Sometimes canvassing, it’s easy to ponder the ‘what-ifs?’; to wonder what will be behind the gate, behind the door, down the road, and to imagine all the dangers that could be in our path. But it’s just another opportunity to grow in faith and trust in God. We don’t know what’s ahead, but it’s encouraging to realize God already knows everything and everyone we will meet. He has the way mapped out for us, and He will guide us. And “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

-Jessica 

Answered Prayer on the Doors

About a week after attending the D'Sozo camp, I went canvassing with a couple of friends in our home town. As we canvassed, I prayed for God's blessing and leading that we might reach some soul in need.  I had been canvassing for about three hours and had many closed doors. But I continued to pray. As I walked to the next door I was met with two dogs, but they looked quite friendly, so I entered the yard and walked up the stairs with the dogs following behind. I knocked and a middle aged lady came to the door. I canvassed her, and seeing a rather hardened look on her face I shared with her Peace Above the Storm. When she saw the title, she said, "Oh yes, I'd be happy to take a read of that; it looks good." So she gave a donation and took the book - stating that she would be sitting down to take a read as the heat restricted a lot of other activities. Strengthened from this experience, and with another prayer I ventured to the next door.

I prayed for blessing, and after knocking a couple of times with no answer I started to leave. But just as I was walking across the front yard, a car drove in the driveway. While I was canvassing them I asked, "What do you enjoy reading?" The man replied, "I read a lot of history." So I said, "Well, I've got the perfect book for you," and showed him The Great Controversy. He took a brief look, and said, "Yep, looks good. I'll get that." I smiled, and praised God for yet another answer to prayer.

Two doors later I knocked, and a lady came to the door. I canvassed her Bountiful Health, The Great Controversy, and Peace Above the Storm, but she wasn't really interested. So I started up a conversation with her, asking about her religion and background. She was a Christian, and she told me that she had many reasons to be. I asked about her grandchildren and herself, seeking to find an avenue for which to share a message book. She told me that she studies her Bible and says her prayers - so I seized the opportunity and showed her Lessons of Love, the book we particularly like to share with Christians. She was quite interested and after taking a look, she gave us a donation and took the book. Then I said something like, "It's such a blessing to be Christians; we have such an amazing life in the future (eternity) to look forward to!"She said, "Well yes, but you're still young. You've got a long way to go; I'm counting down now." I smiled and replied,"Yes, but eternity in comparison with this life is worth it! - don't you think?" She agreed. As we were talking, she mentioned a number of times that fact that she knew without a doubt Christianity was definitely not a mistake, and she had many real reasons to be Christian. So we continued talking and then it all came out. "I'm one of fourteen children of whom I am the only girl," she began. "When I was very young my great-grandmother would have to come at night to try to pacify me at because my father would be abusing my mother and I would be terrified. All, except one, of my brothers - of whom I have thirteen - died or were killed in infancy. Only one is now living. And because of all this I hold on to my religion; it is what keeps me going." I couldn't help but say a hearty amen! As I said goodbye and left the door I said, "I'll be praying for you, and I'm sure you'll gain a great blessing from that book! God bless you!"

That experience really got me thinking: if someone out there who I might have passed by as being of the world has truly found in Christianity her strength - how much more ought we to be living out Christianity despite hardship and temptations! 

-Ash

Grace's Testimony - Sharing With A Friend

We're really excited to share with you the first testimony submission we've received! Thanks so much for sharing, Grace - that's a wonderful opportunity you had to share about God! 

[Background: In my senior years of high school (I went to a public school), I shared about the Bible and God to a good friend of mine. I was extremely excited when I was sharing it with him, and at that moment, he seemed interested. One thing for sure, when you’re excited about God - you’re crazy for Him (in a good way)! After some time, I decided to invite him to church (I did this a few times), but he would often decline, and say that he was busy, and come another time. I started to get the feeling that he wasn't really interested in God anymore; perhaps I had shared too much that I scared him. After graduating high school, most of my friends went their own way, as did I, so contact with this friend of mine wasn't as frequent.]

The other day after I had finished class at uni, I went to catch up with a couple of old high school friends, one of them being my good friend. We spoke for about an hour before my other friend had to leave to pick her brother up. So I was left with my good friend. We continued talking, and reflecting about how things, and people, have changed since graduating, when he randomly told me how a work colleague of his asked him the other day if he knew about God! I was completely shocked about this, as earlier that morning I had prayed and asked God to make an opening so that I could share more about Christ to him. (God had answered my prayer!)

God is so good! For about half an hour to an hour, we spoke purely just about God! I was absolutely thrilled to be able to share more about God, and that my friend was accepting and wanted to learn more about Him. He also told me how his work colleague had also just found out about God, through her own searching of the Word and was excited, and wanted to go on a mission for God! She was also looking for a church which matched the beliefs and things she had been reading, especially based on the book of Revelation and the Second Coming of Jesus. My friend told me how he was interested about this, and would like to know more about God, so I said that we might be able to do Bible studies. (God willing!) My friend also told me, how he has noticed that there is really nothing much to this life, everything around is dying, and all bad. I told him how this was all prophesied in the bible, and that “...there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

God is merciful, and never gives up on anybody, and just as we humans think we have done what we can to reach to someone, God does something miraculous. Sometimes all we have to do as vessels for Christ, is to wait and be patient, even when we feel discouraged, or impatient. We must remember, that God is patient with us, and that our job is to only plant the seed into the hearts of others, and He will nurture and grow the plant.- Grace. 

It's one of our hopes that this blog would be a way to give each other prayer support also, so please keep Grace and her friend in your prayers. And we're looking forward to being able to share your testimonies next - you can submit them here! :)

God bless! 

Welcome

Dear friends,

Welcome to Seeking the Lost; an evangelism testimony blog.

We created this blog as a means of sharing evangelism testimonies to bless others, so to kick it off, here’s one of my testimonies:

I was canvassing a block of units with a friend. It seemed that all the occupants were middle aged men and no one was interested. I walked up to another door; the main door was open and I could see a man sitting in a chair watching TV. In my opinion, it looked like I may get the same response as everyone else in the block: "I'm not interested." I started canvassing him on ‘The Great Controversy’ and he asked how much it was. He went and got twenty five dollars, came to the door, before he had even looked at the book! Then we mentioned that for that much he could get two books. I showed him the other books. He asked if he could get the cookbook; I said he could. As he was looking at ‘The Great Controversy,' after he'd bought, he said “This looks like a really good read!” –Luke

We're looking forward to adding your testimonies to the next post! Please head over to the ‘Submit a Testimony’ page to share your evangelism testimonies.

God bless!