At the end of my previous post I asked if anyone had any
questions about my recent travels and participation in the canvassing program. You
asked some great questions – thank-you! I like the variety of questions asked
too, and it’s given me plenty to write about in this post, as you’ll see. :)
What are you doing in
Australia? I live in Australia! Obviously I could be clearer about this. :)
But there was a ‘trip’ involved in being part of the canvassing program because
I live on the eastern side of Australia, and it happened on the western side of
Australia. And there’s about three to five days of driving in between,
depending how many stops you make. All the photos I’ve shared this year were
taken as we drove over.
What is canvassing?
The canvassing I did is going door-to-door with a selection of Christian books
(including a healthy cookbook) which we leave on a donation basis. We also have
a couple of DVDs, and a survey offering different free programs, such as
depression recovery workshops, healthy cooking demonstrations, and personal
Bible studies. The aim is to reach people, often through friendly discussion, and
be able to leave them with some material that will point them to Christ.
What is the
canvassing program and what does it involve? The canvassing program was a
five week program run by
Eastward Missions,
and it involved – canvassing! :) There were between eighteen and thirty of us
(the team varied as locals joined for shorter amounts of time), and each day we
had a schedule including worship, helping with the domestic and organisational
side of things, training (learning how to approach people better and offer what
we have in a positive way), and then time on the doors. Each night we’d have a
testimony time where we shared experiences of the day. On the weekend, we’d
split into a few different groups and go to local churches where we often
shared testimonies from the week, and helped with musical items and other parts
of the service. Some afternoons we also passed out tracts on the street. Everything
was enjoyable, but there was time for extra fun over Christmas/New Year. We
went for a quick trip to see more scenery, climb a mountain, go to the beach,
and all the little moments in-between.
But everything we did was with that ultimate purpose of reaching out to others,
and that’s what made the time enjoyable and fellowship sweet. There is joy in
service.
Who did you go with
and how did you get connected with them? I found out about the canvassing
program through close friends. They have been attending canvassing programs for
a few years, and after hearing their experiences I looked for an opportunity to
attend one. The team was made up of young people from all over Australia, some
of whom I was already friends with, and others I’d never met before.
What drew you to be a
part of the canvassing? For a long time, God has given me the desire to
reach out to others. When I heard my friends talk about this canvassing thing,
I saw it was a way of reaching people. I had opportunity to go canvassing for a
few days the beginning of last year, and after that I was hooked. :) God’s work
is exciting, friends!
What were some of the
most amazing moments you had with your canvassing crew? We spent a lot of
time travelling together, and I appreciated many of the conversations we had.
Some were small talk, some were funny, and some were deep and spiritual. I
remember one discussion about knowing God’s will for our lives, and the
importance of reaching out to others – going and telling the world. Another
time, one night, we shared personal testimonies; it was amazing to hear where
everyone had come from and how God was working in their lives. New Year’s Eve
we sat around and shared our blessings from the day, the program, and the year.
After talking about God’s goodness and blessings, we watched fireworks over the
ocean, along with crowds of noisy spectators. It was showy, but I spent the
whole time comparing it to the sweet time of fellowship and thanksgiving we’d
just had. The two didn’t meet up. It was hollow and unfulfilling, and
reinforced in my mind that time spent worshipping God is always worth it.
Did you get to hold a
koala bear or see a kangaroo? We saw a few kangaroos. But seeing as I live
here, I see them all the time. When I woke up this morning there were some
grazing in our front paddock! But on the other hand, I didn’t see a koala on
the trip, and I’ve never seen one in the wild.
What’s your favourite
part of Australia? How can I say when I haven’t seen it all?! ;) I like the
area where I live, because it’s home to me, but I also really like the Snowy
Mountains. The parts of South and Western Australia I saw I liked too, and some
parts of Victoria. But, aside from cities, there are few places in Australia
I’ve been that I dislike.
Where did you sleep?
For the program, a pastor and his wife graciously opened their home and
property for us to stay. Three other girls and I shared a caravan not too far
from the house, and that’s where we slept! While we were travelling, we’d go
down a side road off the highway until we found a spot on the side free from
shrubs, set up a few tents, or just sleep under the stars.
Did you see any crazy
answers to prayer while on your trip? It was like constantly living on
answers to prayer. Every day on the doors (canvassing) was filled with much
prayer, and so many answers. For example, one day I was having an unprofitable
morning. People were slamming their doors before I could say anything. I was
praying someone would give me time; hear me out even if they weren’t
interested. Some doors later, I met a guy, and the first thing he did was come
out his door and give me his full attention! He didn’t read, but we had a great
discussion, and he asked questions like “How do you know for yourself that God
is real?” I mentioned personal testimony; seeing Him work in my life. We talked
on, and at the end he commented that maybe I was meant to turn up at his door
and have that conversation. I shared about my prayers earlier, how he was the
answer to my prayer, and that was even more proof to me that God was real. He
seemed moved, and I feel sure he was going to think more about what we’d
discussed. God used that one prayer in so many ways – to strengthen me, to
reach the mind of that man, and to encourage others I shared the experience
with. I’m pretty sure I had an obvious answer to pray every day, not to mention
the times I didn’t take notice of, and all the encouragement I received from
hearing other people’s answers to prayer at the end of each day.
Another thing that wasn’t a specific answer to prayer that I
know of, but was a crazy awesome experience I’d only read about in books, was
the conversion of a homeless guy some of the team met up with. To think one day
he was an alcoholic at rock bottom, who by divine direction bumped into a few
of our team, and after a long discussion, he chose Jesus as his Saviour. The
next day, he’s sharing his testimony and praising God, and he’s out on the
doors sharing the good news with others. Isn’t that incredible?!
What are some things
you had to live without or some habits that you had to give up for the duration
of your trip and how has God used that to grow you? I realised at the end
of the time, I hadn’t read anything except my Bible, and a couple of chapters
of a spiritual book. I’ve always read a lot of storybooks – fictional and true,
and it was eye opening to see I didn’t miss them, and I was satisfied without
them. It made me re-evaluate what I read and how much time I spent reading, and
whether I should be making different decisions. I also spent far less time on
the internet, and didn’t feel deprived of that either. Overall, it helped me
see that material things are just that – material, and it’s people and eternal
things that matter.
What were some of the
most fruitful conversations that you had? There were lots, including the
one above, and the one
in my previous post.
One lady I met was a cleaner at the house, and said she didn’t have time. She
wasn’t interested in the books, but we got talking, and she shared how she lost
her son a few years ago, and was struggling. I don’t remember what my side of
the conversation was, but I felt humbled she would share her story with me, and
pray God used me somehow. She did take on of the books and said she would read
it, so I hope that’s been able to minister to her.
I had quite a few conversations with atheists. I like to
hear where they’re coming from, and what brought them to their beliefs. I
remember one conversation with a middle aged atheist guy. I listened to his
views of things, and he was strong in his disapproval of the way society is,
and how it wasn’t what it used to be. Lots of people express that, but this
conversation went further when we discussed what made the difference, and where
we get our morals and sense of right and wrong from. I was able to share I
believe God has built a sense of right and wrong into us, and the downward
shift in society is because people don’t live according to the Bible – whether
they profess to be Christian or not. He seemed to appreciate my perspective,
and he took a DVD which explores what God is like, and said he’d watch it.
While some conversations seem more fruitful than others;
some result in being able to share the gospel and leave half a dozen books, and
others you don’t get past the weather, I feel no conversation is wasted. I
learned a lot listening to people from different walks of life and professions
– what life used to be from a ninety-something year old grandma, what it’s like
to have your identity stolen, what it’s like to come to a country and not know
the language, what it’s like to struggle with addictions, how school is from a
bunch of friendly primary schoolers, and why people left the church, or came to
the church, or became Buddhist, or made up their own form of religion. I even
met another couple of young people who were also doorknocking to rally support
for a program in their community. I also believe from the other person’s
perspective no conversation is wasted, because they might not be interested
this time, but if we can give them a positive impression of Christianity, the
next time they have an opportunity, they’ll be more open.
What were some more
things that you learned on your trip? I’ve being writing down points as I
think of them:
1. God works miracles
2. He can use anybody
3. Everybody has their place and purpose
4. Some things aren’t worth stressing over
5. People have it a lot worse than I do
6. A focus and purpose changes everything
7. Working together is an incredible thing
8. God answers prayer
9. So much I call necessary is superfluous
10. Negativity isn’t necessary
11. Home is people not places
12.
Listening breaks down barriers.
What advice would you
give to budding missionaries based on what you learned from canvassing?
Firstly, there is nothing as satisfying as working for God, so don’t give up on
your dreams, and don’t settle for less. Having similar minded friends is super
encouraging and motivating – if you can, find mission minded friends, and
discuss things. Challenge each other to do something. And, do whatever you can,
and expect results. Start small, with just passing out one tract, for example.
Ask God to bless your work, and He will. He promises His words won’t return to
Him without accomplishing His purpose, so you can be sure every single thing
you do for Him counts, even if you can’t see the results now. Don’t ever give
up!
Are you going back,
and if so, for how long? I think this question was meant about going back
to Australia. But I’m going to take it to mean, would I go on a canvassing
program again, and the answer is yes. Only next time, I’m going to try to
convince others they need to come as well. :)
Thanks again for your questions, and if you read this whole
post, you’re a legend! If you want to know anything else, just ask in the
comments. Thanks so much for your support and interest in my life. I appreciate
it, and I hope something in this post could be a blessing to you! And do tell
me what you’ve been learning or inspired by recently!
I get sick of fighting. Doesn’t every warrior deserve a
break? Must every single decision be for one side or the other? Does it have to
be a lifelong battle? I know the victory is already won through Jesus’ death
and resurrection, I know He gives us the power to overcome, I know if I
surrender to Him He’ll fight for me. But I’m human, and I get overwhelmed.
