July 19th
2 gift sets in English and several anti-Semitism pamphlets were given.
On a very hot day the team of two were at a local shopping area when they approached a Jewish man sitting in his car. This car had a large sign on the side that was misleading, stating that he was a doctor. However, when getting closer the team noticed that a small picture showed that of a technician. He was happy for the conversation they had and took the anti-Semitism pamphlet but refused the set. In their short conversation they spoke about the atonement of sin through the Messiah. He wanted to know what congregation they were with and hearing that they were Messianic and spoke about Isaiah 53 and the atonement, he thanked them for their work but politely refused any further conversation and left.
They then noticed a van that was parked and approaching it they saw that it had 3 photos of young men featured on the side and as they stood wondering what it meant the owner of the van appeared from the other side. This woman informed them that she was the mother of one of the boys and that all three had been killed by gun violence. This had taken place in 2017 and she was still very visibly in mourning. The team tried to comfort her with the love of Yeshua and spoke words of love to her. She said she had received a gift set previously from our team and so they prayed with her, and she accepted the comfort card and offer to contact the office if needed. She was very thankful.
One team member met a couple sitting in their car who let them know that they were Muslims from Syria. She shared the love of Jesus and the vision of salvation through the blood atonement with them. The man was interested in the Jewish viewpoint and took the anti-Semitism pamphlet so he could read the scriptures.
A set was given to a Jewish woman who was in a hurry to get out of the heat but gladly took the gift set and thanked them.
A couple was touched as they took the set as well. They were approached at their car as they put their groceries in the trunk and although the conversation was brief, they were happy to take the set.
At another mall, the team met a Jewish lady who received the anti-Semitism pamphlet. The team spoke to her about Yeshua and His being the Messiah of Israel and the world. She listened as the team member spoke of God’s love for His people. At this point it was very hot outside and she wanted to leave to get indoors so they parted ways, but she said she was thankful for the conversation. It was a quiet day all around due to the intense heat, so the team was thankful to the Lord for those who did receive the Scriptures.
Friday, July 26th
2 sets (1 each of English and French), 2 English Tanakh and 1 Farsi bible
The same team was out the following week and again it was very hot. They decided to go to the same area as the week before and the first French set was given to a Jewish woman from Tunisia. She listened happily while the team explained Isaiah 53 to her and how Yeshua was the Messiah of Israel. She then said, “Oh you speak about Jesus” but did not react negatively. As she took the set, she was quietly reflecting what she had heard and placed the set in her car.
They then met a young Gentile man who was taking the grocery carts back to the store. The team had noticed an injured pigeon and warned the man who was pushing his cart. In doing so, the team managed to have a 15-minute conversation with him speaking first about animal cruelty as he seemed to have a heart for animals. They led him to Jesus and His creation and God’s desire for mankind and His role in the world. He was very interested in knowing more about salvation and so was led in how he could receive salvation through the Messiah Jesus. He took the small booklet in French “Steps to peace with God” and the contact card. He did not have time to pray with them but being very touched by the encounter encouraged the team to continue their work.
Afterwards, they encountered a woman in her early sixties. She looked as if she was an actress and was very open to listen to the team as they spoke about God. She was a Muslim who left her faith and because of that she had to flee her country and came to Montreal. She told them that she attends a church across the street from her home and one of the team members cautioned her to be careful whom she follows as it was not good to pray to man, living or dead, but to have a personal relationship with the living God. The team member was concerned that she was following a cult and wanted to bring her to choose wisely in her faith. They explained about salvation and gave her a Farsi bible. The team prayed for her and she exclaimed, “You have made my day!” As she was leaving for a time in Europe, she said she wanted to meet them again upon her return.
They approached a religious young man wearing a kippa who took the Tanakh. He was told that the Hebrew writings were the same as he would find in the synagogues and that it was from the Society that Distributes Hebrew Scriptures as written on the inside cover. He thanked them briefly and left.
A Jewish man was approached and when a team member began to speak about Jesus, he became very emotional while hearing about the blood atonement of Yeshua. He received the Tanakh with great thankfulness saying at first, he could not take it. He had just retired and bought a large catamaran to live from in the Caribbean. He said he would not have a place for the book but a team member said it would be perfect to read after his evening meal when his work was done. He agreed with a bright smile and taking the Tanakh said it would be a good idea.
A second set was offered to a woman who received it with joy and quickly rushed away out of the heat.
At this point one of the team members who had endured the marijuana smell that had filled the air from the time they started this outreach, said she had enough and was ready to leave when a Jewish gentleman with the cane was returning from shopping. They had seen him earlier but had decided to wait for his return and it turned out to be a “God encounter”. One of the team members left the car and went to help him while the other team member spoke to a religious man near her.
The man with the cane was having much difficulty due to pain and so the team member offered to lift the groceries into the car. She asked him if he was alright, and he said he had a back injury that was difficult but that he had to buy groceries for his wife of 58 years. She was at home due to her stage 3 Alzheimer’s disease. He said they had had a wonderful life together and he began to cry. She could see that his state of well being was poor and hoped he would consider placement so he could have quality time over quantity. She asked if she could pray for him for healing from the Lord and for his wife also. He accepted with hesitancy as she had told him she went to a Messianic congregation but after the prayer he was very thankful and embraced the woman with a tearful thank you. He took the anti-Semitism pamphlet and she pointed to the address on the back should he want further conversation and help. He said that he would not be able to read the Tanakh but was very thankful as she ushered him into his car. Please pray for this man as he goes through this difficult period in his life.
Meanwhile, the other team member spoke to a very religious man in full Jewish attire (including side curls). She offered him the comfort card and he asked her what it was for. She stated that it was about the promises of God for Israel. He was smiling all the while as she explained to him about her associations with the Jewish people through her work in building management and Jewish high school administration. He was very motivated and said, “You light my Shabbat!” and left. However, minutes later he returned with his car and rolled down his window and asked her where she got the card as he was amazed by the verses stating “This is Genesis, and this is…” He was told that it was produced by Beth Ariel and that they were a Messianic congregation in N.D.G. who believe in Yeshua being the Jewish Messiah of Israel and that Pastor Jacques Gabizon was the pastor. She also mentioned that he came from a line of rabbis and wanted to reach out to the Jewish nation. He was so touched and said, “Keep up the good work”. He then asked if they pray for all the nations and was told that Jesus is the Prince of Peace to which the Orthodox man offered her a blessing. He was very thankful. It was an amazing day and the team thanked everyone who had prayed for them but above all, they wanted to thank Yeshua who sustained them, especially when the smell from a “counter offense” was trying to get them to leave.
All praise to the Messiah of Israel!