Witnessing at Christmas in the Park Part 2

I went over to talk to these three young ladies who where standing there waiting for something.  I took the opportunity to ask them about Christmas.  Their names are, left to right, Darlene, Trinny and Tiffani.

I parked my stroller next to them and asked, "Hi, girls, so what is your favorite Christmas tradition?"

They laughed.  Trinny said, " opening presents."

Darlene said, " everyone eating at the table."

"Oh, that's nice. I  like the family table.  It's one of my favorite too," I said smiling.  "So, what is Christmas all about?"  At this question, they giggled again insinuating they didn't know.   So I asked them if they would take the "Christmas Quiz" I had.  They said "yes".   So I asked a couple of questions.  They were having fun with it.  One question was "Why is Christmas on December 25th?"

"It's Jesus' birthday?" Tiffani said softly.

"Actually, Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.  Have you studied this history at school?"  I asked, knowing of course that it is not taught.

"We don't learn about Christmas at school."  Darlene answered.  Then I quickly explained that it was a Pagan holiday introduced by Constantine in the 300 AD with the hope to unite his empire, thus merging his pagan practices with Christianity.

They were enjoying the conversation, so I proceeded. The last question in the quiz is, "If Santa were to use the Ten Commandments as a standard as being naughty or nice, how would you measure up?"

They giggled and Darlene answered smiling, "Nice, I guess."

"Ok, let me ask you some Ten Commandments questions to see if you are really "nice" according to them.   Have you ever lied?" Even though I directed the question to Darlene hoping they would all think about it, they all laughed again and admitted they had.

"I have lied too.  Have you ever stolen anything?"

"No," she kept giggling slightly.

"Really, not even some small change you didn't return, a pencil..."

"Well, when I was little."

"Have you ever used God's name in vain OMGD?" I asked Darlene looking at all three.

"Oh, yeah," they admitted, like "who doesn't?"

"That is called blasphemy, the breaking of the third commandment.  So, now, when you die and you are before God, the Great Judge, as a lair, theif, blasphemer.  Will you be innocent or guilty?"  I noticed Tiffany was the most serious of all and really trying to listen to what I was saying.

"I will be guilty", she said.  By  now, she wasn't laughing anymore and wanted to listen.

"Then, will you be going to heaven or hell?"

"Huuuuuhh," she said, not saying hell, but knowing that was the obvious answer.

"Does that concern you?" I asked to all three.

"Yes," Darlene said and all three nodded.  Right away, they were seriously listening.  I explained that if God is a Just Judge he has to punish sin and have all sinned and have been born sinners.  I mentioned a few Scriptures like Romans 6:23.  They nodded in agreement.  It was a joy to explain the Good News to them about Jesus coming into the world and taking that penalty of sin for us so we can go free.   I explain that they must repent of their sin to receive this free gift.  I clearly explain how to repent.

"That's what Christmas is all about, God coming to save us from the penalty of our sins like the Christmas songs say about the newborn King coming as a Babe."  I told them so they can be more aware of the words of these Christmas songs.  I shared a little bit more because they were attentive and assertive.  Then I asked them what school the went.

"We all go to Independence"

"I went to Independence,"  I said and they kind of liked that.  I asked about a few teachers there.

I urged them to think about their eternity and their salvation.  They all said they  will think about it and told me they did care more about their eternity more than this short time of life.  I thanked them for their time, gave them a copy of the Christmas quiz to each of them so they can do it with their family at the dinner table.  They took it and said,  "thank you!"

"I have a gift for you too,"  I said smiling, "my friend made this CD and I want to give each of you a copy as a thank you for listening."  I gave each a new copy of "The Road that Takes Me Home" by Dorothy Schwartz and they were most thankful.

This conversation with these girls was most encouraging and refreshing.  It brought back many memories of when I was in Independence High School.  I was an evangelist there.  Every year and every day I would be praying for the students and telling those who would listen about the Lord.  The administration gave me room so I can hold Bible meetings during lunch.  Many girls came and were saved and are now following the Lord.  I carried my Bible everyday and read it in class.  I lived and breathed the Scripture, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" Romans 1:16.  I showed Gospel center movies as an outreach and much more.  This was no once-a-week meeting.  They wanted to meet everyday, so we did.  Many girls tried to listen to the Word of God from the outside of the  room because it would be jam packed.  The girls were bringing their friends and we had to have a bigger room.  I did get a bigger room.  I wonder how they let me, since we were no "approved school club."

Well, I also encountered persecution and hatred.  Just like Jesus said it will be.  I was even shot at, yes with a gun.  Apparently, the devil was upset and tried to get rid of me.  A series of weird events happened to me like strangers on campus looking like Satanist, with the pentagram hanging on their necks, video taping me and asking me if I was scared.  First of all, who are you? and scared of what?  I actually considered myself "shy" in high school, not confrontational at all.  I must admit, I lacked the boldness of Jesus.  Incidents like these culminated to this event:  I was standing by the bus stop in front of the school waiting for my Mom to pick me up.  I was the only one standing there when a car coming at full speed came close to me, the guy shouted some profanity to me to get my attention and pulled a gun and shot me three times within a distance of about 4 yards.  No, I am not kidding.  It happened so quickly that I had not time to react.  They quickly drove away.  The next day, my Mom made the report to the school office.   The police was sent to investigate the scene of the incident.  That day, they called me to the office to show me three bullets they had found in the place I was standing.  Seriously, I am not kidding.   The police gave me "attempt of murder" report case.  It was a testimony to the administrator lady who was the one who gave the permission to use the rooms for witnessing.

If the guy had missed his shooting, why didn't the bullets just flew far behind me and were lost in the bushes?  The only explanation is that God had protected me.  "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" Psalm 91:11.

Please pray for Darlene, Triny and Tiffani, that they will follow Jesus and too will take the Gospel again to this school.  Later on the day, I saw them again because they were volunteering at Christmas in the Park asking for donations.  This time, they approached me to ask me for a donation.  I called them by name as if I just made new friends.  I was thankful for that because I gave them my e-mail and asked them to e-mail me with any questions they had.

May the Lord give growth to this planted seed.

But, the most beautiful story was with other two young ladies inPart 3