It wasn’t the cold that we were concerned about so much this month but rather the miserable, misty rain. With all of our materials not being able to withstand rain, we came VERY close to leaving and rejecting the idea of even setting up. We walked the 3-4 blocks to see what other vendors were doing. Only two didn’t show up, and one vendor suggested leaving our materials in the plastic totes, and when someone approached the ‘Table’, open it to display our materials. We thought that was a great idea! We set up with much apprehension, but within a half hour, the rain subsided, and we even put up a tarp for a sort of partial wall. This worked VERY well, even keeping the wind from blowing our materials.It seemed like a little slower day today but rather steady. Our first customer was a woman concerned about her brother’s depression after the death of his wife. We tried to console her and gave her many materials on life after death. Curt also gave her the booklet, Where is God When Things Go Wrong?. She appreciated the conversation and the materials. Before she left, she spotted the series on marriage. I asked if she was having problems in that area, and she said, yes. Our prayer is that her husband will listen to the videos, that God would intervene, AND that she would quickly realize that her sister-in-law is NOT an angel.
We were surprised to see so many Spanish materials leave the table, especially for kids. Many copies of the Spanish version of “The History of Jesus” story/activity booklet left the table, as well as a few Spanish CBH devotionals, Keys for Kids.
A fellow (our neighboring vendor) was handing out schedules for Faith Tabernacle Church services. He asked what church we were affiliated with, and we told him our purpose…”to defend the Bible and refute false teachings." He took several Jehovah's Witnesses materials.
A couple of kids approached the table out of curiosity. A conversation ensued concerning creation/evolution. Their thought was that God created AFTER the explosion. I was grateful for the materials on this subject. I especially like the booklet from Chapel Library – Evolution or Creation? – Answers to Your Questions about Origins.”
Many coloring pages w/crayons were taken. This month’s topic was “Jesus Is Tempted”. Mollie was willing to let us take her picture. What a cutie!!!
A delightful lady stopped by and took several items for her little grandson and proceeded to tell us about her son who had been serving in the military in Iraq. While training for a 3rd stint in Iraq, he messed up his knee and is recovering from surgery at a U.S. base. She’s not so sure he will return to Iraq. (We just love ALL of these conversations!)
The young lady we spoke to last time, who can’t hear or speak, lit up when she saw us today. By writing, she communicated she had been sick. She also wanted our phone number. I wondered about that. To my surprise her mother called, and we talked a little about her daughter, Mary Yolanda. They are both adept at sign language. I look forward to visiting them soon.
Though many people stop at the table, we always feel God puts that special someone in our path. We didn’t really sense that today until Mary Yolanda’s mother called after we returned home.
Coveting your prayers and relying on Him,
Curt and Janie Rolf
– Rio Grande Valley
