A lesson from PAFCOE’s Friendship Evangelism class puts
it this way: If we are willing to patiently listen, we will be tapping
into a natural resource. If we show respect
and courtesy by listening, we will
find others will begin to reciprocate it back to us. When we win their hearts,
we will win the right to be heard.
Such lesson, if put into practice by a soul-winner will
bring a remarkable result. And such was Elfeujun’s experience, a 3rd
batch graduate of PAFCOE’s Bible Work program.
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| San Juan mini park, where Elfeu and Mark's Bible studies were mostly conducted |
“One day, I
was looking for tatay Godofredo in the mini park of San Juan City. When I found
him, we sat in the side way, studying our Bible lesson while the people were
passing in front of us. Halfway in our study, a man came with a barber’s electric
hair trimmer in his hand. He sat beside me and listened to our discussions. The
Bible study was over and tatay Fred left, yet the man stayed. I made friend
with him using the FORT method and learned his name. He was Dante Sales, a
retired seaman. I found out that his wife died last year and had no one to
attend to him because almost all of his children had families of their own,”
recounted Elfeujun.
He went on to say, “After knowing him for that brief
moment, I inquired of his Christian life and found out that he was a Catholic.
I invited him to know more of the Bible by studying it together, but he refused
because he had, as he thought, enough knowledge of it. I tried to say to him
that he could increase his knowledge of the Word of God, but he insisted that he
knew already those things. He began discussing to me about Genesis. He talked
about God creating Adam, and Eve taken from his side. He talked of how they
sinned by eating the forbidden fruit and were sent away from paradise to till
the ground; and he went on talking….”
“I felt that I was just wasting my time listening to
him, but because I had only 25 minutes left before lunch, I decided to listen
to his discussions. I really wanted to talk also, but for some reason, perhaps
the Lord held my tongue that I just managed to listen until he discussed about
the lamb being slain and its blood which was placed into the door posts of the
Hebrew houses so that the angel of the LORD will just pass by and leave the firstborn
alive,” he continued.
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| Elfeu and tatay Dante having Bible study lesson |
Convicted by the Holy Spirit, he finally spoke. “I
asked tatay Dante if he knew what the lamb symbolizes of. He couldn’t answer so
I took courage to present Jesus. I told him that the Lamb was Jesus as stated
in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.”
Surely, the Holy Spirit worked into his heart because he listened carefully. I
told him that Jesus—the begotten Son of God had to die so that the firstborn of
humanity symbolizing the descendants of man will not perish. I presented that
in the same way, we also needed a Savior because we are deeply plunged into sin
and cannot save ourselves; we knew what is wrong but are powerless to resist
it. We needed more than human power, we needed a Savior, and that is Jesus, the
Lamb of God,” he narrated.
Sensing a
wonderful way to minister to the needs of tatay Dante, he showed some flyers he
brought with him. “That time, Sir Kevin was about to conduct the Prophecy of
Hope Seminar in Quezon City. I discussed to him the flyers,both the Prophecy
seminar and Health Expo. The Lord made him interested in the Health Expo
because he wanted to avail the free services especially the massage. I invited
him and praise the Lord he came with us!”
Truly,when you listen with the patience and
love of Jesus,
opportunities to share Him will be opened.
“He listened
night after night and learned many things. He told us that he knew Jesus is
coming again but he did not know that the Bible clearly indicated the manner of
His appearing. He also liked the food we gave him every night because it was
vegetarian. He said it was good for his health for he had diabetes. I really
got thrilled what would be his reaction when he would learn about the Sabbath.
And when that topic was presented, he agreed to it! Praise God! But two weeks
after, we felt his absence. I was thinking maybe the truth got too much for him.
I contacted him and learned that he went to the province to make some work in
his properties. I felt sad because he couldn’t finish the seminar,” he told
with sadness.
Elfeu’s dying
hope was brought back to life when, “After a week, tatay Dante came back, yet
it was the last few days of the seminar. During the last Friday night, Sir
Kevin asked those who wanted to be baptized to stay. To my surprise, Tatay
Dante stayed.Oh no! I was thinking, ‘No,
we can’t bring some unconverted man into the church!’ Kuya Mark told me, ‘Well
then, this is the time that the Clearing
Sheet is much needed. Just clear him and show him that he lacked the
essential truths.’That Sabbath morning, tatay Dante brought with
him his clothes because he wanted to be baptized. I took time to do the
clearing and told him that he should not feel bad if the Pastor would not permit
him for baptism that Sabbath day. Good thing there was another scheduled date
for baptism which would be two weeks after and he gladly consented,” he
reported.
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| Dante Sales (not in baptismal robe) with the candidates for baptism |
“Kuya Mark and
I studied with him daily to cover the topics he missed which were of great importance.
He received the truths openly and listened and discussed with us with joy. Two
weeks had passed, kuya Mark cleared him again and by God’s grace we found him
ready for baptism. When tatay was immersed into the watery grave, my heart was
pounding with joy. Praises be to God that He is patiently working into tatay
Dante’s life. We even praise God all the more that He is patient to us and
caused me to be patient also in listening to him. This experience taught me
that,Evangelists should not just talk all
the time. They also need to listen, and sometimes to patiently listen,”ended
Elfeu.
We praise the LORD for
the wonderful lessons
He had taught to His soul-winners. Indeed,
adding a virtue to listening proves to be
effective.
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