Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Jesus is Real - 2023-10-15

October 22, 2023

The reality of Jesus cannot be ignored. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

A man, wearing a blanket over women’s clothing, stopped for a Rosary. He seemed slightly inebriated. He struggled to work a Rosary over his dreadlocks in order to wear it around his neck. After he managed it, he offered the evangelist his vapor device. When she declined, he pulled the Rosary back off. She assured him that the Rosaries were free, if he wanted one. So, he picked it back up and pulled it over his hair and past his ears again. Then he picked up the Cross, that was now lying on his chest, and examined it. He then abruptly pulled it back off again and said no thank you, leaving the Rosary and pamphlet on the table. May Our Lord have mercy on this deeply wounded soul and heal him.

“Steven”, a Cowboy-hat wearing Christian-Bible enthusiast, passed the table on his way into the sports arena. But then he came back and engaged e. Chuck and e. James in conversation. He started by saying he appreciated what we were doing. He was not associated with any denomination, but loved Jesus. He went on to share his conversion story, stories of his friends and family, his love of sports, etc. But when he gave us his theories about Jesus being married and having children, the evangelists had to interrupt to correct this error, as well as point out that this is precisely why we need a Church: to care for the deposit of faith and to correct errors. Steven, evidently having also been erroneously taught that the Bible is the sole authority, then claimed that the Bible had been altered to hide his notions. Then, seeing we were going to dispute the point, he reiterated that he appreciated what we were doing and turned to go on into the arena. Pray that his heart is softened, and he perceives his need for a Church to guide his faith.

Two women stopped, who were in town for the relationship course being held in the convention center. Coming from a part of the country where Catholics are numerous, they didn't seem surprised to see our Catholic presence in public. They came right up, and one of them asked if the evangelist was familiar with the Seven Sorrows devotion, something our visitor had just learned about a few days earlier at her home parish. Yes, and the evangelist demonstrated how she counts the prayers (7 groups of 7) using a standard Rosary. That was too complicated for our visitor, but they each accepted a Rosary and were glad we were there.

A group of boys in their early- to mid-teens stopped when one of them wanted a Rosary. He claimed to have “no religion”, so e. Chuck started recounting the basic story of salvation history. But our visitor was actually familiar with it enough to finish the evangelist’s sentences as he proclaimed Jesus’ Death and Resurrection and His great love for us. It seemed, though, to still be just an idea to the youth rather than reality. We encouraged him to use the Rosary to get to know Who Jesus is. The other boys declined Rosaries until just before they walked away, when one more asked for one. Pray that their eyes are opened to their desperate need for the living God, Who is their Savior.

A man declined our offer of a Rosary by saying he had gone to Catholic high school. If he has left the Faith, Lord, have mercy and draw him back!

A boy wanted a Rosary, but we said he could have one only if his dad said it was okay. The dad said no, so we affirmed his parental authority.

Another group of children went by. Their dad said yes, so they each chose a Rosary for themselves, received a brief introduction to it, and were encouraged to use the Rosary pamphlet to learn how to pray it.

A Catholic family, visiting from a town to the west of us, stopped by for a Rosary. Then they offered the evangelists each an enthusiastic handshake and wished our efforts well.

Two interested teenaged guys took a Rosary apiece and its pamphlet. Then one of them almost put his Rosary back on the table, saying he had “not been confirmed yet”. E. James assured him he could pray it even before that momentous occasion.

A man, with quadruple limb amputation and seated on rolling skateboard-like conveyance, stopped with a smile and thanks for the Rosary and pamphlet. We were humbled by his positive attitude and courageous adaptability. Lord, have mercy on him.

Our new evangelist, e. James, encouraged a young man who approached with his girlfriend, to wear their newly received Rosaries on their belt and pray it while walking.

Three grade-school-aged girls with their mother had been sitting outside the hockey arena and approached the table on their way in. Their mother said it was okay, so the girls came to the table to select Rosaries. Later, they brought a friend from inside the arena and, later still, they came with more girls and a father. The father declined a Rosary but was not anti-Catholic about it. He agreed that our country and the world needs more prayer. Pray that families of faith are united in prayer.

An adult couple stopped. They were non-Catholic Christians who knew nothing about the Rosary. The woman with whom e. Chuck chatted seemed open to the prayer. (The man seemed to be, too. But, e. Lucy, who talked with him, doesn’t now recall the conversation.) Pray that they put Christ first in their lives.

Altogether, the three evangelists gave away 15-20 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.

The reality of Jesus Christ breaks through and speaks to people wherever they are, emotionally or philosophically. 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!

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