Although no special secular events were going on around us, God still used us to bring attention to Himself. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

A man, wearing a shirt sporting the initials of a big city, stopped. He had a hard time believing that the Rosaries were free. But he finally chose one, accepted its pamphlet, and thanked us for being there. He passed by again a bit later and again thanked us. Lord, help him accept the love and generosity of His Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and free him of belief that he needs to earn God’s love.

A father with three children, maybe 8- down to 4-years-old, stopped. Originally, it was so the children could get a Rosary, since they headed to the table first. We cautioned them, “Only if it’s okay with your parents.” Then the man with them gave permission, “It’s all about religion, but yes you can get some beads.” We explained the devotion to the oldest girl. After she chose her Rosary, her two siblings did, too. Lastly, the father chose one for himself. We encouraged them to pray it as a family. Lord, grant the father faith and grant unity for the family.

Another family stopped. They were Catholic, but evidently the children didn’t have Rosaries yet. After they’d each chosen one, we encouraged these parents also to pray it together as a family. Lord, keep them faithful and bless them as a family.

As e. Chuck was talking with an award-winning gymnast and her mother, a man was shuffling by. He had long shaggy hair, was wearing a full-length coat, and kept his gaze fixed on the ground. E. Lucy popped around the side of the table to offer him a Rosary. He seemed surprised to be spoken to (just as if he were a regular person) but politely declined the offer. Lord, you know this man’s needs. Help him find You and the sense of belonging that only You can bring.

A man and a woman approached the scooters, that had been left near where we set up our table, and were in the process of renting them when e. Chuck offered them a Rosary. Although they initially declined our offer, the evangelist noted the tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the man’s calf. He and e. Chuck then conversed a little bit more, and I think the man finally accepted the Rosary booklet.

A man came to the table and started speaking rapidly in another language. Neither of us could follow what he was saying, and he didn’t try to assist. As he was taking his leave, he thanked us and said goodbye in unaccented English. Lord, help the man know that he already has significance in Your eyes and bless him.

A young-adult couple passed by, politely declining our offer. We noted that the man (“Cavy”) was carrying some books, one of which appeared to be a Bible. They didn’t go far before he turned around and returned to the table, followed by the woman. Both were smiling. He had decided, he said, “to get a Rosary for someone [he] knew” but that he didn’t want a Rosary for himself. He knew about them, though, because he’d been “raised Catholic but then had gone to college and became a Christian”. E. Lucy replied, “Catholics are Christian”, to which he smiled (with perhaps a touch of disdain) and began to say something. But immediately he seemed to change his mind as he accepted the Rosary pamphlet for the friend receiving the Rosary. E. Chuck told Cavy that he’d taken the opposite journey and had converted from Protestantism to Catholicism a few years before. Though he was still smiling, it was evident that Cavy had decided to refrain from conversation on faith matters. Please pray for Cavy that his eyes be opened and his heart softened toward the fullness of the Christian faith found within the Catholic Church.

Two young-adult men stopped at the table; one was stand-offish and the other enthusiastically curious. The talkative man was Christian but unfamiliar with the Rosary. He seemed genuinely intrigued by the possibilities on offer within the Rosary prayer. He half-jokingly said that, since he had not been to church that morning, maybe praying the Rosary would count instead. He also implied that his parents were not happy with his choice to move to Idaho and do “manly things.” His friend listened quietly but did not take a Rosary. Pray for perseverance for this man so that his enthusiasm for the world does not crowd out his faith.

Five teenagers, who had earlier declined our offer of a Rosary, stopped on their way back from a coffee shop. The two girls looked over the Rosaries and listened to e. Lucy describe the devotion, while e. Chuck tried to engage the boys in conversation. Two of the boys said, “We’re good”, and stayed a few feet away, while the tall boy said he didn’t know anything about the Rosary although he was pretty sure he was a Christian. As e. Chuck told him about the prayer and how it can draw us closer to Our Lord and Savior, he became less engaged, and fixed his eyes on the ground and his attention on his drink. As soon as the girls were ready to go, the boys bolted after them without saying another word. Pray that these young people will come to know that the most important relationship in their life is the one that leads to everlasting life.

There was another big Catholic family who stopped so the kids could get Rosaries. The mom or grandma discovered that, decades before, she’d gone on the same pilgrimage as e. Lucy had, to visit a Marian site in a nearby state.

On our way back to our cars, the evangelists were hailed by “John” and his wife “Linda”. John had worked at the business park as a parking lot attendant and had been a frequent visitor. We were glad that they both seemed to be doing well.

Altogether, we gave away another 30-35 Rosaries and its pamphlet.

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.

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“Go with the strength you have” (Judg 6:14).