_Raising the Banner of Jesus Christ

I am writing this entry two days after the fact. I will try to write out as much as I can as detailed as I can.

The started out as normally as it would any other day. 12:30am started on my work hours. Worked on some Twitter projects and read on the SEO training book my boss got me. Talked and fellowshipped too with some friends on Twitter and Facebook. What got me excited about this day though is what was to come in the afternoon.

At the start of the week I decided that I would go witnessing in every day of the week, as a sort of quirk for my Birthday. The Lord had other plans, other realistic plans for me. The only other day I was able to go witnessing was last Tuesday, the 13th, with my friend Kim. I said “realistic” because I don’t have the resources to go witnessing every day. I don’t exactly have a warehouse full of tracts.

Though I was quite disappointed with the lousiness of my convictions the Lord still saw it pleasing to give me the great privilege to go witnessing nonetheless today. And to my great joy and pleasure me and Kim would be joined by our sister in Christ, Pax.

Throughout the day since yesterday I’ve been preparing some resources for my friends that I can give it to them be for we start the outreach. I thank God that He was pleased that I could finish it all in time. Also prepared all the tracts needed.

9:00am

I took a quick nap, well at least I planned to.

1:00pm

To my utter disappointment, I just woke up at this time. Why? ‘Coz 1:30pm was our agreed meeting time. I sent a text message right away to my friends and apologized that I would arrive late. I’m glad though I was able to direct Kim to where Pax was eventually. I got ready to leave, took a bath prepared my materials.

2:00pm

Checked and double checked my stuff and left home to the University Belt where Kim and Pax already are. Already let them wait for 20minutes. Listened to an old White Horse Inn podcast on Apologetics while on the way. I fell asleep in the middle of the trip.

3:00pm

I arrived, went straight to McDonalds where the guys are at. Made them wait for almost two hours. Felt bad about that.

Met Kim and Pax. And oh, I forgot to mention, this is the first time for me and Pax to meet in person. So, it’s a real neat and joyful day. Which adds to my shame since I made them wait.

We talked a bit and shared quite a lot of stuff, I bought some snacks for the guys since it was also my Birthday just the other day. I thought Pax was a real nice person, kinda like the female version of ourselves since her inveterate love for our Lord and His glory is so apparent, even just through her eyes.

Gave them the DVDs and the stack of tracts to use. Kim wasn’t able to put tags on his tracts yet so we’ll just use my set today. I prepared 70 tracts today. The 30 tracts were used up last Tuesday. We distributed it amongst ourselves. Asked Kim to pray for us, our endeavors, and for the sheep.

We went on our way to the University of Santo Tomas (UST). While on our way to my pleasant surprise Pax had a bunch of Million Dollar tracts! It was real cool, she showed them to us and we realized that the quality was better than the Million Peso tracts I got before. But then it’s in English which isn’t really that good for the more simple people, the non-University type of people around the University belt, but good thing I brought along my Tagalog tracts for that purpose. Nevertheless, the Million Dollar tracts were real effective with the students and people around UST.

We stood near the front gate of the university. To my shame I chickened out quite quickly. I told the guys to go ahead and start it off. I thought to myself that maybe it would be a better idea to go to Far Eastern University (FEU) since we got used to the environment there already, and it’s not as exposed as our spot in UST since we’re fishing right beside the main highway too. Then just a couple of seconds after this thought, Pax and Kim started giving out tracts. Then a couple of minutes after a bunch of freshmen approached Pax to ask about the deal with the tracts.

Immediately I was humbled, and quickly repented of my sin.

These kids were around 9 to a dozen. They all were freshmen, 1st year college students in UST. They approached Pax first, then Kim and I grabbed around three each to talk to. I had the privilege to talk to 3 young men. I thank God for their willingness and openness to talk to a mere stranger like me, and the attentiveness the Lord has placed in their hearts.

As with Kim and Pax, I shared the Law first with them. Explained what sin is, the infinite sinfulness of sin, and more importantly the transcendent holiness of God.  Then shared grace to them, the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus. Also, since these kids were brought up in a Roman Catholic home, I also shared a quick apologetic on why Rome’s Gospel cannot save. I pleaded with them to trust in Christ alone for their full salvation. Also bid them to read their Bibles and look for a Born Again/Protestant Church.

Please pray for these freshmen students that me, Kim and Pax conversed with.

Joined back with my friends, realized that we failed to give warnings to these kids about the absence of Regeneration and Repentance in their lives. I also realized that I failed to give emphasis on repentance and the nature of it, the giving up of all things, taking up our Crosses and following after the Lord.

Though we all have failed to some measure, we thank God for the immediate lesson.

We gave out more tracts, 20 minutes later we realized that the volume of students decreased quite quickly, maybe classes are starting again.

Told Kim and Pax that we should move to the west gate, maybe there are more students there.

And there were more students, also drivers, security guards and beggars.

We gave out tracts again.

Kim had the opportunity to speak with a pedicab driver, Pax on the other hand talked with someone who seemed like a driver waiting for a college student perhaps to pick up. I gave out more tracts. Remembered that I had my Tagalog tracts with me with a good Law and Gospel presentation. I gave a bunch to Kim and Pax.

A couple of minutes passed and I was able to talk to a driver too waiting for someone to pick up, gave him some tracts and shared the Law and Gospel with Him. He was in quite a hurry though, but at least I was able to present the Gospel message fully and clearly.

While me and Kim were chatting a bit while giving out tracts a beggar approached us. He’s not the brightest of persons but Kim labored with him.

Pax also had the privilege to speak with a beggar, an agnostic beggar. Yup, I couldn’t believe it either. Also relativistic, post modern, he could somehow fit the Emergent bill. Pax was an encouragement to me with this man, since she didn’t give up on him quickly but still strived to give a full presentation of the Gospel. Me and Kim eventually had to join in the discussion. Sadly, the man never saw the need for a Savior in our conversation.

Please pray for all the people we have talked and gave tracts to. May the Lord of all the earth do right. It is our sincere prayer that the Lord would be pleased to use our efforts to at least save some.

6:00pm

We gave out the last of our tracts and went back to McDonalds. Treated Pax and Kim to dinner. Or maybe it was a snack since all they asked for was burgers and fries. It was their choice! Even for the fact that I’m treating them for my birthday. Such humble kids. Kinda annoying sometimes when you want to bless them. j/k.

I prayed for our food and we digged in.

Fellowshipped for about an hour. Talked about the Gospel and the issues that surround it in contemporary Christianity. It is such a blessing and honor to fellowship with Pax and Kim. To talk about Christ and His Gospel with like minded and like spirited brethren, it is such an extreme privilege and grace.

6:30-6:45pm

Asked Pax to pray for us and our recent endeavors earlier in the day, especially for the sheep.

We went our separate ways. Kim and Pax went on their way home. I had to attend the Youth meeting in my church Victory Christian Fellowship – New Manila. Listened to the rest of the Apologetics series of the White Horse Inn on the way.

7:20pm

Arrived in the center. Pastor Dennis was preaching on biblical Manhood. It was a delight for me to sit in such preaching of an often neglected topic.

After the service, fellowshipped a bit with some of my brethren there. Shared to Pastor Dennis my family circumstances, the financial aspect of it. Was blessed with his prayers and encouragements. Eventually went home not too long after the fact.