Day 5 & 6: Portland, Maine and Sunday Activities
The night before our Portland
stop, about 70 of the Missionaries were graciously hosted by the South Portland
Knights of Columbus. The Murch Family, Denny Green and his sons, and three other
families were hosted by a Boston area pro-lifer who had a beach house at Wells
Beach, Maine. This was truly a treat for the Green and Murch kids, who got out
onto the beach and into the sand and surf in a hurry before it got dark, and
back out in it early in the morning. Eleanor, our hostess, fed us unmercifully,
provided the most beautiful accommodations we ever had, and sent us away with
bags of prepared food the next morning. Our fellowship with her was sweet.
We landed in Portland for the lunch rush, and it was very busy. This was one of the most encouraging stops on the tour. Several local folks that just stumbled upon our display stopped and asked if they could stand with us. In all about a dozen local folks joined us at this stop. While there was much objection to our presence, there was a receptivity that was strongly felt in this city. Folks took the literature and read it. Over 50% of all abortions in the state of Maine are done in the greater Portland area, and the city has a busy Planned Parenthood.
Aaron Murch warns Portland! Beverly displays the Ugly Truth. Denny Green passes out literature.
Besides the receptivity of the public and the tremendous amount of literature we passed out, this stop yielded yet more fruit. Pastor Ralph Ovadal ministered to an alcoholic who was in such a bad state physically that he couldn't eat a roast beef sandwich. He had to be fed something milder. Pastor Ralph spent over an hour with him. The man made a public profession of faith and repentance for his sins right there in the park! His demeanor was entirely different when we left. We are always somewhat skeptical about street conversions and jailhouse conversions, because in our experience only a small percentage of them are genuine. But this man seemed truly and remarkably changed.
We also ministered to a young woman who was eight weeks pregnant and planning to abort. She "stumbled" onto our event. All of a sudden she had 70 dead babies telling her not to do it! One of the women spoke to her at length and Bruce gave the card of a local pro-life pastor who is involved with the crisis pregnancy center in town.
WHAT A GREAT STOP! GLORY TO GOD!
Sabbath Rest
Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night we were hosted by Pastor Dan Evans and Mount Zion Christian Fellowship in Bolton, Connecticut. This is the home church of Bruce's mother, who worked tirelessly to feed 90 people for two days, along with a couple of women of the church. It was a much needed respite from engaging and contending with the wicked.
Sunday we repaired to Wickham Park in Manchester, Connecticut for an outdoor worship service. Pastor Matt led the service and Bruce preached the message.
After a day of rest, worship and refreshment, we were ready to charge back into battle!
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