Divine Encounters at Discovery Green
Evangelists,
Our Discovery Green (DG) outreach two Saturdays ago went extremely well. We had 10 evangelists and traveled from Annunciation parking lot by foot (& wagon) a few blocks to DG. We set up a small table inside the boundary but were politely told we had to move the table by a park host (even though we weren't selling anything). The host nicely showed us an area on the periphery to set up and apologized for the inconvenience.
Six of the evangelists teamed up and encountered many people offering sacramentals and prayers, while those remaining worked the area of the table setup.
Most of those encountered chose to dialogue with our evangelists and receive what was offered, quite a different environment than around the ballpark, where most refuse to engage as they enter or leave the venue. Frankly it was surprisingly easier, appeared more fruitful and we were definitely busier. Of the dozens of parties engaged a few noteworthy encounters included:
A young woman had just tried out for the Houston Rockets Cheer squad (didn't make it). Two of our lady evangelists, after earlier prayer, independently of each other, had discerned to pray for a (yet unseen) woman with "boots on". The "cheerleader" had boots on when encountered, and the young lady knew that God wanted her to pray with our evangelists. She was uplifted. Very spiritually fruitful.
God had prompted Dn Alex to approach a parked car close to the table with the Gospel, but Dn was reluctant to do so. A few minutes later a young man approached Dn Alex and said he was watching us evangelize and wanted to talk about God. After sharing things about his life and faith upbringing, the young man was led in a prayer of recommitment to following Jesus. Shockingly the young man said he was watching us from the same parked car, which Dn was uncomfortable about approaching. Thank you Lord for your mercy!
There were many youths in the area (Jr Olympics/AAU events), as well as children who, with parental permission, were drawn to our table. It was a pleasure sharing the Kerygma with them through the crucifixes, rosaries and holy cards.
There was another (non-Catholic) Christian group called Revival Houston who was out evangelizing the DG. Unlike the cult group around Annunciation who disparages the Catholic faith, the Revival Houston evangelists seemed more open to dialogue about our faiths, and a few approached our table to talk and ask for our prayers. One could sense Jesus smiling on our fellowship. (Jn 17:21 "so that they may all be one ... that the world may believe that you sent me.")
After receiving healing prayer from two of our evangelists, a young lady from Revival Houston was healed of a car accident injury.
We had many more powerful encounters. We plan to continue ministering DG, as well as the ballpark (as the season ends) into September. Our August outreaches will only be with the SPSE Galveston group at the Pasadena Flea Market on 8/9 & 8/30, 11a - 2p.
Blessings,
Dn Alex & Sally