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| Talking about Good News in Vienna |
It is quite obvious for us that throughout the Bible God talks to us about mission. We are getting more acquainted with missions’ through the text of the New Testament. But at the same time we understand God’s care for mission from the pages of the Old Testament. I was gladly surprised to find places like that even in the book of Psalms. For example, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Ps.32:8) or “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth?” (Ps.30:9). These quotations make us think about the meaning of our life. What is the sense of being a child of God, nation of God or Christian? We are called to life of mission! It looks like this is direction in which God is transforming His people. “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.” “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (De.4:5-8)
My time in Austria was very productive in studying and outreach. I spent a day in Vienna sharing the Gospel with different people. Mostly I interacted with them by the means of a brochure in English produced by “Focus on the Family”. Some were open and some were not. I managed to distribute 12 brochures on family, crisis pregnancy, abortion and teen’s questions. In the process of conversations I talked to people about salvation in Jesus Christ.
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| Talking to teens in Vienna |
I have also discovered that sometimes God is bringing the mission next to your own door. I prayed for God to provide me a unique opportunity to share the Good News of the Kingdom here in Austria. God is faithful and he answers indeed when we ask according to His will. When I had time in Baden the Spirit of God led me in a special way to spend some time alone walking on the streets of Baden. I noticed one lady, who spoke some German to herself walking down the street. The first impression suggested that there was something wrong with her or she was trying to find something. I stopped walking and the lady started walking towards me trying to ask something in German. In turn I was trying to communicate with her in English. She was not able to understand much of it which is not a fault on my part. But she mentioned that she can speak Russian, Slovak, Czechs and Georgian.
We quickly and gladly broke out the conversation in Russian. It turned out that Klara (lady's name) is from Georgia (Republic of the former USSR), citizen of Slovakia now who is working in Baden, Austria. Her family is back in Slovakia - teenage daughter and husband. It is observed fact that many people from the countries of EU which belonged to so called “Socialism Camp” found a way to make an income in Germany and Austria. But I was really shocked having known the number of such people here. There are about 60,000 people from other countries working only in Austria. This is quite a mission next to your door. These people are struggling in many ways physically and emotionally. They need to be served.
The conversation with Klara ended up by her receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ and praying sincere and open prayer of repentance at the downtown Baden. I have her contact and pray we will be able to find a Christian fellowship for her in Baden. I pray Christ will transform her life and her family. I would like to thank all who is supporting my time in Austria by means of prayer and in many other ways.
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| Klara and myself in Baden downtown |