Boise

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State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Jesus—Yesterday, Today, and Forever - 2023-08-27

September 3, 2023

The very idea of Jesus Christ prompts wildly different reactions. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

“Uwe” went by (whom we’ve referred to over the years as “the angry atheist”, then “the amiable agnostic”, and most recently, as “the dabbling deist”). Seemingly now having stalled in his journey of faith, this time he again only talked about the weather. He had thought we were closing up extra early, but actually we had just arrived and were beginning to set up. Lord, we continue to beg You for Uwe’s full conversion and salvation.

A man stopped who was looking for a business convention. He was Catholic and accepted a map to local parishes, so he could attend an evening Mass that day.

A teen dropped back from his group to get a free Rosary. He identified as a member of a pseudo-Christian religion, but seemed irreverent in general. Blessed M6ther, please call him to pray that Rosary he received and discover your Son.

A man stopped to talk with e. Chuck. He, too, had been raised in the pseudo-Christian religion by his mother, although his father’s side of the family was Catholic. He had since turned away from his mother’s faith. Lord, may he turn toward You!

A young-adult man stopped who was unsure if he was still a Christian, since he was too busy to go to church or even to think about God. Yet, he didn’t consider himself an unbeliever. The more he thought it through, as he talked, the more he acknowledged his need to be more intentional about where the truth lay. E. Chuck agreed that it was the most important thing in life, and presented the Rosary as a means to explore who God is, and how He did not just speak words of love, but showed us His love in action, and that our only appropriate response also goes beyond mere words to life-changing actions on our part. He nodded his assent, seemed thoughtful, and promised to “look into it” as he left. Open his mind and heart, Lord, that the Holy Spirit may work conviction and faith in his soul.

The boy, from a strolling teenage couple, wanted a free Rosary but gave little heed to our explanations and seemed mostly intent in showing off for his girlfriend. Protect him, Lord, from his careless blasphemy.

A man walking a dog came to the table saying, apologetically, that he was not a Christian, but that his friend was Catholic and he wanted to give her a Rosary as a gift. As e. Chuck handed him the Rosary pamphlet, he encouraged the man to ask his friend to show him what the Rosary was all about. May the Holy Spirit fill his friend with the words and actions to help lead him to Christ.

A father let his young daughters choose a Rosary apiece. The family were all talking to each other so much so that the evangelist couldn’t get a word in. But when the eldest daughter, who lingered at the table as everyone else left, asked her father if she could get two so she could give one to her grandma. The father replied, “No, that one is just for you.” May this father guide his girls in faith and prayer.

A young man slowed at the offer of a free Rosary and, looking them over, decided to decline and move on. But he suddenly came back to say that he was getting baptized that very afternoon. E. Chuck congratulated him on soon becoming a member of God’s family and having his sins washed away, while silently praying that the baptism is done in the name of our Triune God. The evangelist then showed him how the Rosary was grounded in the Bible and could be a great support and strengthener of a newfound faith. However, though he took the pamphlet, he declined a Rosary. Pray for his perseverance in faith.

Right on schedule, “Justin” came riding up on his skateboard, saying, “You have inspired me. Look at my new tattoo,” and pointed to his forearm as he passed, showing e. Chuck an anti-God symbol on his skin. As he sped away, grinning, he looked over his shoulder and asked, “Do you like it?” to which E. Chuck shook his head and said no. Please continue to pray for this man, that he be released from slavery to the devil, and that his heart be turned from stone to flesh.

Altogether, we probably gave away only about 10 Rosaries, as well as a map to area parishes.

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.

Our presence continues to proclaim the unchanging reality of Jesus Christ (cf. Heb 13:8) to people whose reactions range from hot, cold, to indifferent. So thank you again so much for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and greatly bless you and all those you love!

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