Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Times remain perilous - 2020-01-19

January 26, 2020

The new year was off to a positive start, but times remain perilous. So thank you again for your prayers for Boise’s Catholic street evangelization effort. Two of us were available.

The Christmas tree in center of the business park had been removed, and Our Lord granted sunshine and dry weather for the session. The mood was positive: even our chronically angry passersby gave us a smiling “no, thank you” this time.

“Walt” was moving slowly. He conversed a long while with evangelist Chuck. A few nights earlier, he had been robbed, losing his backpack, model cars, and an important prescription. He had fought with the thieves, trying unsuccessfully to stop them, and was still a little sore. He told Chuck his extensive plans to get them caught by the police, and asked for prayers. The conversation concluded when Walt’s friend “Jose” came by.

A group of convention goers declined receiving a Rosary on their way in, but stopped at our table as they left. A couple of them accepted a Rosary and brief explanation of the devotion. One woman in the group said she had Rosaries at home. When evangelist Lucy asked her to pray it for us, she responded, “Yes, these are perilous times.”

“Jacob”, a 20-something man with a nice camera, accepted a Rosary. He works for the pastor of a local non-Catholic Christian church, helping with his horses in a nearby town. Jacob hung around the table for quite a while, showing off his new camera, chatting, and taking pictures. The sunshine, though welcome to us, was creating more contrast than the camera could handle. We asked if he needed prayer for something, but he said no, and that he was meeting a friend there. When his friend arrived (politely declining a Rosary), the two left together.

A group of 4 or 5 teens stopped. One of the girls admitted she wasn’t Christian, “or really anything”. Evangelist Lucy offered her, and the other members in the group, a Good News/kerygma pamphlet, as well as a Rosary. A boy, slightly younger than the rest, joined the group after the conversation had started. In reaction to the evangelist’s declaration that Jesus is real, he sniggered.

Some young-adult Catholics stopped. One of the young men admitted that he wasn’t really going to Mass anymore, so evangelist Lucy slipped him a “Reasons to Return” packet, which he accepted.

A man and woman went by, politely declining a Rosary. About 8 ft behind them, head down and moving slowly, was a preteen girl. Evangelist Lucy offered her a Rosary, and she surprised us by accepting one, and a brief explanation. She left with a spring in her step. The adults noticed her absence just before she caught up with them again. Soon, there were squeals as the dad (stepdad?) started a “tickle war” with the girl. Hopefully, she was able to keep the Rosary (and copy of the kerygma).

A man stopped for a Rosary. He had received one while in jail, he said, and it had helped. He’d also found the non-Catholic worship services there helpful. He is still going to church, he said, but also accepted a map to area Catholic parishes.

A 20-something man (sporting a flamboyant goatee) frequently passes the table on his way to work. He had a woman with him this time. She stopped for a Rosary; he declined. She was not Christian but seemed genuinely interested in the Rosary and its pamphlet, as well as that of the kerygma.

Altogether, we gave away 10-15 Rosaries and its pamphlet, at least 2-3 copies of the kerygma, a “Returning Catholics” packet, and a map or two of local parishes.

Please pray for us again today? Ask God to send people to us prepared to perceive their need for Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church, and that much good fruit for His Kingdom comes of today’s effort.

Prayer is our most effective weapon for the times. So thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, 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).