Day 77 - Three encounters

Once again, I walked all over the city today. I bought some lunch and then made my way over to the Christian Pub (publications, dont' get the wrong idea!).  I stopped at a park to eat my lunch first. It was quite a nice park with a skate park and beach volleyball. I sat down on a bench to eat and enjoy the beautiful day God made. Not long after I bit into my sub did a man walk by and asked me how my lunch was. I smiled and said it was great! I learned today that if you respond to people's greeting, it is an automatic invitation for them to talk to you. Because this man then turned around, sat down next to me and proceeded to tell me his life story. He told me about his alcohol problem, how he's been struggling with it, how he's lost his family and friends because of it and how he's determined to get help but the government won't help him.  In order for him to get help in Calgary, he must first attend a workshop in Fort Mcleod (??).  But he needs $32 to get a bus ticket. He told me he's been alcohol-free for 3 days now and all he needs is that $32 and then he'll hope on the next greyhound bus and on his way to recovery.  I was quite intrigued by this young man. In my entire life time, especially living in downtown Toronto, I've seen a lot of beggars and homeless people but never has one approach me to tell me their story.  All the beggars who've approached me have simply just asked for money.  In the entire 15mins that this guy spoke, he didn't ask me for anything, he just told me what he needed. But obviously he wanted money. I've always been skeptical about what beggars do with the pocket change given to them. Do they buy food and clothes or waste it on booze and drugs?  This whole "only able to get help in Fort Macleod" story seemed a little sketchy.  I spent an equal amount of time asking him questions. Questions about how he thinks this workshop will help him, why he can't find other ways of help, why he thinks he still needs help since he's already been alcohol free for 3 days now.  I was trying to find a way to bring in the gospel but I didnt' know how to do it. I kept talking to him, hoping that some how the conversation will open up an opportunity but it never happened. I could tell he was starting to get impatient and I really wanted to finish my lunch. I wanted to help him, I mean afterall, he did put in the effort to talk to me and endure my questions. So I gave him all the change in my wallet. Who knows if his story is true or not. If not, then at least he was creative enough to make up a story and since he spent 1/2 an hour talking to me, he deserved my less than $1.50 in change.

When he walked off, suddenly all these ideas came into my head how I could have told him the message of God's love and salvation. doh. I hate it when the answers don't come to me until the moment has passed! So many times people ask me questions about Christianity or I'm given the opportunity to witness but I go blank! I don't know what to say or how to say it but when the person leaves or later in the night, I think of a million ways and things that I could have said! But when given the opportunity again, my mind goes blank! Grr.

After eating, I walked over to CP. Once again, a respond to someone's greeting is an automatic invitation for them to talk to you.  A guy was listening to music in the cd section. I looked at him and he looked at me. We both smiled and then he said hi. I hied him back. Then he starting telling me about how he loves music, how he composes his own music, how he wants to start a band and on and on.  This guy was already Christian but I didn't want to miss another opportunity so I put in my 2 cents.  I told him if his desires are God-centered and the music he writes glorifies God then God will provide him with what he needs! He thanked me and I continued shopping! 

After CP, I went to Maxs to get a slurpee. Something was holding up the checkout line. The guy waiting infront of me turned around. I looked at him and smiled. He said hi and I hied back. Then he just starting talking to me. Nothing specific, just random chit-chat.  But I am now convinced that the words "Tell me about yourself" is written across my forehead.  Three encounters in one day! oh boy! This just goes to show you that everyday, God gives us thousands of opportunities to witness to people. You just have look for them and be open to them.