Boise, ID
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The following story comes to us from team leader Lucy with our team in Boise, ID:
God loves people, whether they know it and accept it, or not. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort. Most people cheerfully returned our Happy Easter greeting, whether they wanted a Rosary or not.
A middle-aged non-Catholic Christian woman, who identifies as belonging to a liturgical denomination, stopped to chat a bit. She was new in town and spoke with a unique, singsong intonation. Her mother had passed away about eight months earlier, and she told the story of how she and her brother were able to be with her in her final moments. They had just finished praying together when she passed, evidently in peace after a short but painful bout with cancer. I met her again as I was heading to my car, and we again wished each other a Happy Easter. May the Lord comfort her and lead her closer to Himself!
A pre-teen boy and a slightly older girl were zooming around the business park on rented scooters. After parking hers in the bike rack behind us, the girl came to the table for a Rosary. The boy soon followed. He then ended up returning several more times during the session: including once to offer us a donation (which we politely declined), and once to bring an older sister for a Rosary. His family was in town to see a rodeo, for which the dad had financed a team. As the family was leaving the business park, the dad, too, stopped briefly to thank us for being there. May God bless that family and keep them solidly true to their Catholic Faith!
A man, who has stopped before, paused to explain in detail about why he wants nothing to do with the Catholic Church. He was full of unforgiveness for what happened to a friend, decades ago and in a different state. The evangelist acknowledged that, sadly, abuse has happened, even here. But she also emphasized the stringent measures now implemented in this diocese to keep children safe. She also acknowledged the wide-spread scope of the problem in those days, and how it impacted every organization that dealt with youth, secular or religious. Our visitor tried to interrupt by saying it was “just an excuse”. The evangelist then asked if he planned to refuse to belong to any organization, since every organization has had problem people. He thought that was “a unique way to look at the issue”. The conversation ended cordially enough, but he was still stuck in unforgiveness. Please pray for him.
The weather was nice, but foot traffic was surprisingly light. Still, we gave away 15-20 Rosaries and its pamphlet on how to pray it, as well as an Our Lady Untier of Knots prayer card.
Please pray for us again today? Ask God to send people to us with hearts prepared to perceive their need for Our Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church, and that much good fruit for His Kingdom comes of today’s efforts.
God offers hope and healing. So, thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and greatly bless you and all those you love!