Once again, I prepared myself to go out alone (not through choice) into the dark, damp and cold night air, to witness to youngsters and parents who delight in the spooky, supposedly fun, trick and treat Halloween. I prayed for protection, I prayed if it didn't pour down with rain (as the night before) that there would be people and children to witness to. And it was a most productive evening and with God's hand guiding me.
Before I draw on this evening's outreach account, I must relate a story of this afternoon's activities, which I do not feel was a co-incidence. I went into the local town shopping and walked along a side shopping street when I viewed a couple of market stalls. These were not in the main market square, but in this particular street. Most unusual for a Friday and for this time of year. Unless it's the town festival or Christmas, stalls do not line this street. Anyway, I walked up to the second stall which had second hand books for sale....proceeds going towards 'Tear Fund'. I was just going to browse at the books when I spotted the word "Jesus" on a pile of bookets. I mentioned to the stallholders that I was a Christian going out this evening to witness to the young and parents about the dangers of Halloween and the occult.
The stall was run by Christians of a local church, which I had, on a couple of occasions visited in the past. They heard of my intentions and gladly gave me 8 of these booklets of Jesus (for children and teenagers) for free. I believe that was a God appointment and it warmed my heart.
It was 6.30pm when I ventured out with my witness bag full of DVDs, booklets, Bibles and Halloween tracts. I first drove to the church and spoke to the Christians I had seen earlier at the stall. They were having their own 'party' for their own congregation's children - to keep them off the streets this evening - and I begged for help. They knew I was going out on my own and it would have been so good to have had someone with me (well, I did have Someone with me) but Christian support would be nice. They were most apologetic; they were short handed themselves. So off I went.
I arrived by car, at a huge Council estate and parked. I had driven around its perimeters and seen groups of youngsters knocking on doors. With my outreach bag and DVDs and tracts in my hand I found two youngsters, Ellis and his friend Rosie, with grosteque masks on, knocking at doors. They were lovely teenagers. They immediately took off their masks. I mentioned about the importance of this particular night to witches and spoke of the pagan rituals which continue today. I didn't spare them any details and spoke of the blood and guts of it all. They were quite horrified and didn't know what Halloween was really about. I said God found this an abomination. I spoke of my mother's involvement in the occult and showed them the way to Heaven. They took tracts and DVDs of The Story of Jesus and a Science and Creation DVD and I witnessed to them.
Then I walked a 'circle' and bumped into them again. They were still unmasked and talking with Ellis's sisters. "Here are my sisters, can you tell them what you told us?" says Ellis. They thanked me and walked away quietly and I don't believe they were knocking on any doors, they were still unmasked. I spoke to Ellie (similar name to her brother) and her sister (cannot recall her name) and they were told the same account. They too, were horrified and I witnessed to them and asked if they'd like Bibles. They were delighted and I gave them scripture to look up. They too, were lovely teenagers, so polite and really horrified when I described the gory details.
As I walked to my car, a young mum and two very young children dressed in witches attire walked by. She accepted a tract and DVD Bible stories and I spoke fleetingly of the occult. She didn't want to listen. But at least the children had a DVD.
I then drove to another part of town, parked the car. I saw another young mum and two quite young children. She too, accepted a Halloween Bible tract and DVD Bible stories but said "Oh, it's only Halloween, it's harmless. Anyway, I'm with them". I explained that the occult isn't harmless. But she too, didn't want to listen and walked away.
My final witness came immediately after. I spotted two teenagers, around 14 yrs of age, over the road. Both the tall lads wore black pointed witches hats. I crossed over and spoke to them, asking if they knew anything of Halloween. They were totally ignorant of its pagan roots and were, like the other children, horrified that there were human and animal sacrifices today. As I could draw on personal experience; first hand knowledge, I used it to witness. Once again, these were nice young lads, but totally ignorant. Jack said "I've got a Ouija board at home". I was shocked. "Where did you get that?" I asked him. "My parents bought it for me as a present. They go on these ghost hunts around the country". he said. I explained about familiar spirits, impersonating the dead. He'd not heard this before.
Jack said he'd had this Ouija board two years and not even opened it. I told him what to do with it; burn it. I gave him accounts of relatives and a friends son who messed around with this and brought the demonic realm into their homes and lives. Jack and his friend Jacob, like the others were visibly taken aback. I witnessed to them, giving them Halloween tracts and a couple of DVDs and booklets. They took off their witches pointed hats and I said I'd pray for them as I had the others. We said goodbye and they walked on in front of me, going the same way. Jack put his hat back on his head, then they turned into a side road and when I caught up and looked, Jack had taken off his pointed hat. I watched them walk away into the dark night.
These children are in my prayers tonight.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depoart from it". (Prov. 22:6).