Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Welcome e. James! - 2023-07-23

July 30, 2023

Although foot traffic was lighter than typical, we happily welcomed first-time evangelist “e. James” to stand with us. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

A man, whom we have nicknamed “Tony”, has stopped a few times over the years to tell us how worthless he thinks the Rosary and Catholicism are. He had previously told us that, years ago in his native country, he was lured out of the Catholic Church by an anti-Catholic “Christian” group. He stopped again this session. His tendency is to simply rant and neither listen nor reply to reasoned answers. So, naturally, e. Lucy and e. Chuck let the new evangelist, e. James (welcome!), spend some quality time with him. E. James was persistent, cheerful, and polite in his arguments until the man left. Pray that “Tony’s” heart is softened toward the Church he grew up in.

“Michele”, a previous visitor and housing-challenged woman, came by for the Rosary we promised her for her friend “Amber”. She also took a “Meaning of Suffering” pamphlet, because her friend is a non-Catholic Christian but suffering. Michele also wanted a “blessing rock”, but we didn’t know what she meant. She took a Divine Mercy prayer card instead.

“Douglas”, who has talked to the evangelists a few times over the last six months or so, stopped to talk in a very agitated state. He had moved from the homeless shelter into a rented room, but things turned out very badly. He had been kicked out by his landlady, lost his job, returned to living on the street, and had succumbed back into addiction. Lord, have mercy on Douglas and lead him.

The man we’ve nicknamed “Justin” was back to his usual trick: zooming by on a skateboard and voicing a vicious insinuation against the Catholic Church. Thanks be to God, we were between visitors and so no one else was in earshot. E. James called out after him an invitation to come talk to us about his concern, but he only made a rude hand gesture as he rode away. Please continue praying for his conversion.

A botanist convention was going on. Only two of the many attendees stopped for a Rosary. The last one was a non-Catholic Christian college teacher, who seemed to listen interestedly to our explanation of the Rosary. After she had chosen one, she asked how to get into the parking garage to retrieve her car.

One man said no to our offer of a Rosary by declaring it would burn his chest. “No, God loves you!” was e. Lucy’s inane reply.

A woman responded with a rude hand gesture when offered a Rosary.

A park employee talked with e. Chuck while e. Lucy was busy with someone else. Again, we were given permission to set up in “our spot” on Sundays. Thank you, God!

A fellow Catholic man stopped to thank us for being out there. He was carrying two Rosaries with him “as always”. He was also listening to “The Catechism in a Year” as he walked, had just attended Mass, and promised to pray for our evangelization efforts. E. Lucy picked up on the fact that he was an airline pilot. He told us that he was in town on a forced 23-hour layover/rest before returning to the other side of the continent. May God grant safety in all his travels, and may this man and all faithful Christians be Christ’s salt and light in the world.

Altogether, the three evangelists gave away 10-15 Rosaries and its pamphlet, a Divine Mercy prayer card, and a copy of the “Make Sense out of Suffering” pamphlet.

Please pray for us again today? Ask God to prepare people’s hearts 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!

We continue our efforts to reach visitors, new and old, and encourage them to grow close to Our Lord Jesus Christ. So thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and bless you and all those you love!

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