Canvassing Experience: The Odd Day

Canvassing Experience from Summer of 2012

So, day started off on a very hot foot. Our leader dropped me off on a stretch of houses facing a mountain. However, that mountain was not doing its job because the Sun was hitting me like nothing else, and the road was going up hill. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled, but I set out anyways.

Well, first couple of houses, no one was home. I kept getting rejected and the Sun was blazing over me like nobody's business and I was beginning to feel my frustration spike. I hate hot weather; desert weather, humidity, Sun with no clouds = can't emotionally or physically do it. So you can imagine that on top of being rejected at doors, and I felt anger growing inside of me and resentment towards God. I felt like the Devil was whispering to me, "Curse God."  Now I didn't actually hear anything, but that thought came to my mind. 

And I praise God because as soon as that thought came I shut if off, took a breath and said "Lord, I'm really frustrated right now, but I'm going to praise Your name anyways because there is a blessing on this street." I then started singing a hymn (my favorite being "Do Lord" during canvassing). Honestly, if it wasn't for the grace and strength of God I would not have been able to do that. 

So there I was, singing away my frustration, that Sun still on me, when at the very next house I meet a woman and her son climbing into a car. So I made my way quickly to them, smile on my face, and introduced myself. The woman was visibly upset about something, the son who was standing next to her looked miserable as well, and so I gave her the book Peace Above the Storm - a Steps to Christ Devotional. For about a minute they just stared at the book. They then suddenly opened up about their bird who had died that they had loved so much and they were shocked that the cover of the book actually had a bird on it. They then told me that they knew I was a canvasser because they had been canvassed last year. They then started telling me how much they love God, that He had sent me to show them these books and give them comfort, and it was just so beautiful to see their happiness. They introduced me to the father of the home and ended up buying three books!!! The most beautiful part about it though, was that I was able to pray for them and see God soothe this family. 

That's not all though. The very next door, I knock on the door and chihuahuas suddenly go running out and I join the owner, a young girl, in trying to catch them. Little buggers... for stubby feet they're freakishly fast... So that was odd, but afterwards, the young woman started talking to me and I described to her the books. Her father, in the background, was anxious in me leaving, but she told me to wait because she was going to ask her mother. Next thing I know, I'm in the house canvassing to a woman on bedrest from having surgery. I introduced myself and showed her the books, and she ended up buying three! Very nice family, and I pray that the husband gives God a chance to be a apart of his life and show him how much He loves him.

Thats not all though lol. I was finished with that street so was moved to another one some blocks down - a much shadier street (by the grace of God!!!). First house, woman ends up buying Peace in Spanish which was an interesting conversation. But a couple of houses over, I meet a family (mother, two daughters and their two kids) drinking horchata on the lawn. Next thing I know, I'm drinking horchata and eating peaches with them as I'm listening to their stories and showing them the books. They told me how their husbands were atheists and how they were looking for a church to attend in the area that could give them and their husbands Bible studies. I invited them to one, and they ending up getting five books. I prayed with them and will continue to pray for them, their beautiful families, and their willing hearts. 

In the evening, events went by really quickly that were just...odd. Firstly, I was offered chips that turned out to be lard (thank God I had politely declined), I ended up telling them I was vegan and they offered me tomatoes, but not really lol. Odd. I met a woman who used to be Adventist and ended up buying I believe Peace from me in quarters. And then the last house was just WEIRD. Last house of the night, and it was an older Hispanic woman who didn't want to buy books. Which was fine, so I asked if I could have a glass of water or water bottle instead. I was running that day, so Priscilla was thirsty haha. Anyways, she comes back with a glass of water that smelled like garlic (not judging) and had lukewarm water in it. Hmm. Well, needless to say I was thankful. I took a drink -- not complaining but that water was so gross - and I forced myself to take a few more sips out of politeness and then moved to give the glass back to her. With the most serious face and blunt tone, she said, "Finish it." ... O.o ... *awkward silence* ...So I ended like really forcing myself to drink the remainder of the water, and in my head I'm like "if there's a roofie in here, unlikely, the team is just across the street..." I gave the glass to her and she nodded, dismissing me to leave. So I slowly left, very confused at what just happened. Suddenly, her son just parked in the driveway, and I was able to talk to him and show him the books. He was super nice. Next thing I know he buys a cookbook and children's book! Wow!

Praise God!!! We all ended up shouting goal into the walkie talkies at the end of the night and our team leader was going to treat us to some Naked juice or Jamba, but they were all closed so we ended up getting stuff at a Latino food market.... It was an odd day, but full of amazing blessings and I had my dried mangos as a treat.  =)

An Important Principle to Bear In Mind In Ministry

Here are some beautiful words from Auntie Ellen. Before any of us enter into ministry and as we go about our daily lives, it is more than essential to keep this in mind. PFY.

                                    The Spirit of Self-Sacrifice
     The great work now to be accomplished is to bring up the people of God to engage in the work, and exert a holy influence. They should act the part of laborers. With wisdom, caution, and love, they should labor for the salvation of neighbors and friends. There is too distant a feeling manifested. The cross is not laid right hold of, and borne as it should be. All should feel that they are their brother's keeper, that they are in a great degree responsible for the souls of those around them. The brethren err when they leave this work all to the ministers. The harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Those who are of good repute, whose lives are in accordance with their faith, can be workmen. They can converse with others, and urge upon them the importance of the truth. They must not wait for the ministers, and neglect a plain duty which God has left for them to perform.  

Some of our ministers feel but little disposition to take upon them the burden of the work of God, and labor with that disinterested benevolence which characterized the life of our divine Lord. The churches, as a general rule, are farther advanced than some of the ministers. They have had faith in the testimonies which God has been pleased to give, and have acted upon them, while some of the preachers are far behind. They profess to believe the testimonies borne, and some do harm by making them an iron rule for those who have had no experience in reference to them, but they fail to carry them out themselves. They have had repeated testimonies, which they have utterly disregarded. The course of such is not consistent. 

The people of God generally feel a united interest in the spread of the truth. They cheerfully contribute toward a liberal support of those who labor in word and doctrine. And I saw that it is the duty of those who have the responsibility of distributing means, to see that the liberalities of the church are not squandered. Some of these liberal brethren have been laboring for years with shattered nerves and broken-down constitutions, caused by excessive labor in the past to obtain possessions here, and now as they freely give a portion of the substance which has cost them so much, it is the duty of those who labor in word and doctrine to manifest a zeal and self-sacrifice, at least equal to that shown by these brethren.  

God's servants must go out free. They must know in whom they trust. There is power in Christ and his salvation to make them free men; and unless they are free in him, they cannot build up his church and gather in souls. Will God send out a man to rescue souls from the snare of Satan, when his own feet are entangled in the net? God's servants must not be wavering. If their feet are sliding, how can they say to those of a fearful heart, “Be strong”? God would have his servants hold up the feeble hands and strengthen the wavering. Those who are not prepared to do this, would better first labor for themselves, and pray until they are endowed with power from on high.  {GW92 54.1 - 55.2}