Downtown Laguna: Farmer’s Market Outreach
The summer is over and the Farmer’s Market Outreach is back. We resumed our community outreach on Saturday, October 4, 2008. We experienced another great afternoon at the Farmer’s Market.
It’s strange how every time we visit, we have similarly different experiences. Each time, there are those who are offended by the concept of the church (to the point that they refuse to take a free bottle of water), those who ignore us completely, those who tie up their dogs at the bollards behind us, those who’ve heard of us, and those we can talk with. We’ve even had occasion to pray.
I forgot to bring my camera this time, which was disappointing but good. Instead of snapping shots, I was there to fellowship, pray, observe, pet dogs, and chat with people.
I have two favorite stories. Perhaps Rick or Eric or Kurt or Mercier would have different stories to tell, but here are mine.
Two teenage girls came to the booth to ask for water. They started talking about being a Vegan. Rick asked them what the difference was between Vegan and Vegetarian. Casually, he segued into asking the one with the sunglasses who she thought God was. Through a series of questions, we found out she was a believer. Turning to her friend, he asked the same. She believed that God was within.
As a Sunday School teacher, the unequally yoked friendship grieved me. Rick asked how they could be friends; they said that there was so much more for them to talk about than religion.
Thanks be to God, because of Rick’s conversation, the two friends had, possibly for the first time in their relationship, had a conversation about their religious beliefs and, more specifically, about Jesus. WOW.
The second story involved Chloe the Wonder Dog! I really wish I had a photo for this. You have to know that my beagle/pointer mix is such a lover. She kisses your face and puts her paw on you oh-so-gently, and embraces. She loves to shake, and pray, and play patty cake as she lays on her back waiting for you to rub her belly.
Well, this four-year-old-boy named Vince walks up with his dad and politely asks, “Can I pet your dog?”
“Of, course,” I replied.
Here I have to say that without the purpose of taking photos, I feel more than awkward going to the outreach. Although I have a heart for the lost, I really am not bold and don’t feel it’s particularly what God has gifted me to do. But out of obedience, I went with my husband and brought Chloe.
I noticed that Vince was very gentle with the doggie and his dad said they just lost their 14-year-old lab. Vince giggled as Chloe gave him kisses, rolled over for him, snuggled, and it was so cute to see him lay on the ground with her, her arm over his body. I realized then that God was using Chloe the Church Dog to minister to this little boy.
When it was time to go, his father looked at me and said, “Thank you,” tears nearly welling up. At that moment I knew it was God’s purpose for me to attend the outreach on this very day.
God is so faithful!
Bridget
Photo Slideshow from February 2, 2008: A picture is worth 1000 words…