Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 01:36:45 -0400
From: hub@XC.Org
Subject: Majordomo file: conference 'tracts-olympics96' file 'tracts-
olympics96.9607'
--
Date: 96-07:1 17:23:22 EST
Subject: IMPORTANT: Phone # notification
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:1 17:23:22 EST
This message launches Tracts-Olympics96!!
I trust you have been praying much for the great effort before us. Already we
have experienced God's protection and provision. My wife and I have just
arrived at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Fairburn, GA. (Atlanta) The
motorhome is set up and we are looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Pastor Dickerson has graciously allowed us to use a phone line exclusively for
communications for the team. Please make a note of this number now. It has
not been announced previously and it is not a published number. One of our
team will answer.
(770) 964-3747
Please pray specifically for the many on the distribution team who will be
traveling into the area over the next few days. All of the tracts have been
stuffed with response cards and are on the way here. All except 125,000 which
have just arrived here from Fellowship Tract League. (Thanks guys, they are
here!!) Steve and Dolly Noel will be leaving Temple, Texas in the morning
with the bulk of the tracts. They are pulling their enclosed trailer with
Bro. Martin's pickup. At the last minute, the transmission had to be replaced
in the pickup!
Missionary Mark Bounds will be stopping off at Shady Grove Baptist Church in
Shreveport, LA and picking up 35,000 of the tracts. All of the tracts are to
be here by Wednesday afternoon.
Then they must be organized and divided up for the different venues. A rally
will be held here on Thursday evening. Workers from the other cities will be
here to pick up their tracts.
Other team members will be travelling toward the end of the week. I cannot
begin to list them all at this time. Do pray specifically about the arrival
of the tracts, however.
We made a quick trip downtown upon arrival today. Many people were discussing
the additional crowds on the train. Already we saw several groups of people
of different nationalities speaking to each other in their language. They are
here!! Please continue to pray.
Another update tomorrow.
Tom Gaudet
Date: 96-07:16 22:20:13 EST
Subject: First Team Members have arrived!!
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:16 22:20:13 EST
Tuesday Evening, July 16, 1996
Traveling the city by the Rapid Transit system, it is hard to believe the
games are not already going on. People are everywhere! The first of the
distribution team has arrived. We picked up two folks from Germany at the
Airport this afternoon. The tracts should arrive tomorrow.
While waiting at the Airport, I watched several groups of visitors from the
Orient. I was trying to determine what country they were from without asking.
I found myself silently crying out "Oh God, how will we be able to reach them
all?" As we await the tracts and look over the list of languages, it is
evident that the Lord will have to be in control of our steps.
A good portion of the downtown area will be inaccessible to auto traffic for
the entire time of the games. This presents a few problems for us as we need
to get the tracts to the people. We intend to use MARTA, Atlanta's Rapid
Transit system to move the team and the tracts. Please pray for us to have
wisdom as to how to efficiently do this.
Please continue to pray for those "Divine appointments." Pray for the team
members as many are traveling now. When all is said and done, the greatest
work will be done by you, as you pray.
Remember, if you need to contact anyone here, you may do so by e-mail,
or by phone at (770) 964-3747.
Date: 96-07:17 22:41:45 EST
Subject: Additional Team Members arrive
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:17 22:41:45 EST
Two more arrivals today, including all of the tracts! Tomorrow will be a busy
day as we continue to prepare the facility to feed and bed the workers. The
Rapid Transit system, MARTA was really busy today. That was just a preview of
what Friday will bring.
We will have a big prayer meeting tomorrow night. It will serve as a sort of
"Rally" for the folks who are coming in from the outlying cities to pick up
tracts. These are all committed to working their Olympic events or "venues."
Also, many more of the team who are working Atlanta with us will be arriving
tomorrow. Please continue to pray for their safety. Also pray for God to
prepare the hearts of people who we will be in contact with on the streets.
We are most concerned with those who are from countries "Closed" to the
Gospel.
Thanks for standing with us.
Date: 96-07:18 23:12:47 EST
Subject: Opening Ceremonies Tomorrow
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:18 23:12:47 EST
The opening ceremonies of the '96 Olympic Games are tomorrow evening. Several
more of the team have arrived and we are planning to be on the streets
tomorrow after a brief orientation.
We spent most of today organizing the tracts and finishing preparations of the
facility. Nothing glamorous, just a lot of hard work. There is not a lot to
report because of that. Six groups working Olympic venues in their cities
picked up their tracts this evening after a prayer meeting. Now we can
concentrate on getting our group ready to start tomorrow.
Please pray for the many thousands of contacts which will be made tomorrow.
Pray for wisdom and discernment on our part. It is very hot in Atlanta and
many are already having trouble with the sun and heat. Pray for our health
and stamina.
Thank you for your interest and concern for this great effort. This is
certainly a history making event. I wouldn't miss it for the world. And I
have no plans to go to any Olympic event! Possibly no other Christians in
history have ever had the opportunity we have before us now. 10,000 Athletes
from 197 countries gathered into one city!! We dare not miss this great
opportunity. Please pray as we labor.
On behalf to the team, "Thanks" for the notes of encouragement. We are keenly
aware of the many who have committed themselves to prayer for this time. When
all else is done, prayer will be what matters most.
Tom Gaudet
Date: 96-07:19 23:07:02 EST
Subject: First full day of distribution
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:19 23:07:02 EST
Nine of us hit the streets this morning, backpacks loaded with tracts,
drinking water and sunscreen. It was very hot and crowded. Since no events
or "venues" were going on yet, we went into the heart of the city to the
Olympic Centennial Park. There were literally thousands of people gathered
there for the day. Within two hours most of the English tracts we brought
were given out. Two of the team was sent back on the MARTA train to a pickup
point for more tracts. After re-supply, we hit the streets in another part of
downtown Atlanta.
Everyone was tired and went right to bed after a meal at 9:30 p.m., so we did
not have a chance to talk about all of our experiences for the day. However,
I do know that we had opportunity to meet and give tracts to people from many
countries. Among the countries represented were Russia, Colombia, Mexico,
Finland, Ghana, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Romania, and others.
We had planned to give material at the entrance to some of the venues, but
found that it will not be effective. One hour was spent outside the Olympic
Stadium as people made their way inside to view the opening ceremonies. We
really struck out here. People were bombarded with vendors over a 5 or 6
block avenue leading into the stadium. This conditioned them to reject the
tracts. The difference was like night and day. Earlier on the streets, very
few rejected the material, here very few accepted it. We were glad for
finding this out using a small group rather than the 20 - 25 expected next
week.
There were very few places to get a drink of water, except to purchase it for
$2.00 for a SMALL bottle. We will have to transport our drinking water in
addition to the tracts. This will involve at least three of us dedicated to
moving materials downtown on the trains.
Five more of the team arrived today and we will all be on the streets
tomorrow. Please continue to pray. We will need stamina and wisdom to get
the right tracts into the hands of the right people.
Tom Gaudet
Date: 96-0:20 23:43:05 EST
Subject: First Day of the Games
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-0:20 23:43:05 EST
We arrived back at the facilities of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church at about 9:00
p.m. We had a total of 14 tract distributors today. More arrived this
evening. In fact, team members will be arriving and departing the whole time
we are here. Most are staying for one week, a few brave souls for the entire
time.
The first few days only convinced us of our need to find out the best methods
of distributing the tracts, so today was dedicated to trying several different
things. We tried catching the crowds at different times; when they were going
into the events, as they got on and off the rapid transit system, and while
they were sightseeing. We have learned some things about the way the people
respond, and this will help us situate ourselves better on Monday when we put
in another full day. We have also figured out that every day, in fact every
event will be a bring a completely different group of people (nationality,
language). We will have to stay sensitive to the leading of the Lord to know
how and when to be able to reach them.
Several of us have had the experience of having someone express surprise at
getting a tract in their language. I handed a Korean couple a tract today and
they were speechless. The lady could not believe I had something in her
language. They bowed to me and expressed great appreciation. I was amazed.
Many of the group have wonderful testimonies about encounters with people on
the streets. We will have some of them write out the stories and post them in
these updates starting tomorrow. We are kind of taking it easy as it is
Sunday. All will be attending services here at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
Thanks for standing with us in prayer. We know all of our preparation,
planning, and labor will not get the job done. Prayer will make the
difference.
The e-mail from many of you have been an encouragement to the team!!
Thanks.
Date: 96-07:21 23:01:52 EST
Subject: Testimonies and additional prayer requested
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:21 23:01:52 EST
We made a 3 hour trip into the crowds today between Church services. It was
as busy as we have seen it thus far. Many tracts were distributed, in English
and several of the other languages. Someone on the team suggested we start a
list of the countries represented by people to whom we talk. That list is
growing daily.
This entire effort was organized and planned by Missionary Milton Martin. Of
course, without the tract printers (Chick Publications, Fellowship Tract
League, and World Missionary Press) making thousands of dollars worth of
material available at no cost it would have been impossible, however, it was
Bro. Martin that put it all together. I mention this to ask you to pray for
Dr. Milton Martin's health at this time. He has had a on-going problem with
pain in his abdomen. He has been checked over and tested for the problem but
to no avail.
As you read this, he is in Chiapas, Mexico. He made a call home to his wife
to find out how the effort in Atlanta was progressing. He is having to cut
his speaking schedule down because of continued problems related to the
abdominal pain. He is due back in a few days. Please especially interceed
for him at this time.
I thought it would be good for you to hear from some of the team members:
Mark S. Bounds:
The first day here Bro. Steve Noel and I built a shower, Amen. Then it was
stuff the tracts time. (inserting response cards) What a blessing we had
getting to know each other as we anticipated what GOD was about to do in us
and through us. Every day I pray that God will let me speak to at least one
Filipino person. Day one the last person I talked to was a Filipino lady that
lived in Atlanta. Day two SEVEN Filipino people boarded the train we were
riding on. I approached one man and asked him his name he replied Gil Ramos.
I knew the minute he said his name the Lord had answered my prayer again. To
make a long story short I talked to Mr. Ramos for fifteen minutes without any
interruption and he gave me his name and address before we left the train. As
if that wasn't enough I have been able to give many Japanese, Chinese, Korean,
Russian, English, and Lithuanian tracts to multitudes. One special blessing
was a group of Korean teenagers that requested tracts when they saw what it
was we were passing out. They were so hungry for the Word of God in their own
language. I would like to tell each and everyone of you thank you for your
prayers. Every time someone says "Thank you" to me for giving them a tract in
their language I think of you who have made it possible for me to be here.
THANK YOU!
Mark S. Bounds
Missionary to the Philippines
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Seitz:
Hello all ye prayer warriors. Stay vigilant in prayer, for there is much
opposition out here. Muslims, Mormons, atheists, gods of money, false
preachers, god-haters, & dark powers of the air are confusing or stealing the
hearts and minds of multitudes of souls. Tracts are being distributed by the
thousands every day; some read, some trashed. The most favorable responses
come from the foreigners who receive a gospel tract in their native language.
Most of these recipients smile from ear to ear when they realize this
literature was prepared for them in their own mother tongue. Almost without
fail, the tract is read on the spot. I'm very confident that what they read
will not be forgotten. Though English tracts comprise the majority of those
distributed, I have been blessed to hand out tracts in Spanish, Russian,
German, Malaysian, Korean, French, Japanese, and Portuguese. Pray much for
the efficiency of the distributors to have with us the right tract at the
right time. There have been several times where we met up with a foreign
group, but did not have their particular language with us. It is difficult to
carry all 78 languages within the small groups we break up into. So please
pray that we will not miss any more foreign groups, and possibly that we can
meet up with those we already missed. God bless you all for Jesus' sake and
God's glory.
Roy Seitz, Galilean Baptist Church, Houma, LA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan Hawk
I am grateful to God for the privilege to distribute tracts here in the
Olympics. Friday I went out with a team of three, and we each tried to bring
as many languages as we could. I was assigned the Oriental languages by my
group and tried to cram as many as I could into my pack besides the English
tracts I was carrying. As I was arranging the tracts I put stack of Italian
tracts into my pack. Another member of my group noticed and we laughed at my
mistake, however I left the tracts in with my other languages. Towards the
end of the day Bro. Tom wanted me to take the train back with him to pick up
more tracts to re-supply our group. After we boarded the train Bro. Tom heard
a group of men talking in a foreign language. We approached them and noticed
tags on their shirts which said "Italian Armed Forces" needless to say the
Italian tracts were distributed and were gladly accepted. Praise the Lord for
His guidance in our lives even when we are not aware of it.
Ryan Hawk Galilean Baptist Church Houma, La.
Date: 96-07:22 23:58:04 EST
Subject: 4th day
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:22 23:58:04 EST
This was the first weekday since the Olympics started. There were predictions
as to all kinds of problems relating to the crowds on top of the downtown
Atlanta businesses. It was very crowded. There is a park in the downtown
area called "Olympic Centennial Park." It is a large park built especially to
commemorate the centennial of the Olympic games. It is from here that many
national news broadcasts are filmed. You have probably seen photos of the
fountain with many people standing cooling off in the water. This park is
ringed with pavilions of the corporate Olympic Sponsors. This park and the
streets leading to it have been jammed with people all weekend and we were
delighted to find it even more crowded today!!
We are very concerned with getting out the many foreign languages. This
concern has led us to try an approach where we literally lay samples of the 78
languages on the sidewalk and try to find foreigners who will talk with us and
accept tracts in their language. This has worked better than anything we have
tried yet. As of today, we have given tracts to people from 62 counties, as
well as many thousands of tracts in English.
A couple of our team members were able to give tracts to over a dozen Turks as
they walked through the streets celebrating their team winning a metal.
Here are a few more testimonies of team members. Please keep praying,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben Blakeman, Houma, LA
Thank God for the privilege to be included in His work here in Atlanta.
Thank you for your prayers they are greatly needed and appreciated. The Lord
has been doing great things here at the Olympics. We have had the opportunity
to hand out literature in at least twenty-five languages. Although we gave
out many English tract and many were rejected, however, those foreign tracts
that were handed out were accepted with great joy. It is really great to see
the smile on those peoples faces when they receive this literature in their
language. Please continue to pray for us as we attempt to hand out over four
hundred thousand gospel tracts. Also pray that we would see great results
from the tracts that have been and will be handed out. All that has been and
will be accomplished these weeks can only be found out when we get to Heaven.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carmen Kennedy, Waynesboro, TN
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Lord has impressed upon my heart to quote a verse when I pass out gospel
tracts. It is the Word of God that convicts. "For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)."
I want to claim this verse for the many different nations that need Jesus
Christ. "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth ; shall ye
not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the
desert (Isaiah 43:19)."
Our God is a mighty God! He is able to draw all men to Him.
Praise His Name,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Keroack, Manchester NH
Dear praying friends,
I first want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for allowing me the privilege of
coming here to Atlanta to take part in this Gospel distribution project.
During the first two days of the Olympics the thing that has impressed me most
while working among the huge crowds is God's great love for this world. In
these two days I have encountered five different groups passing out tracts,
street preaching, and distributing portions of Scripture. Their volunteers
number in the hundreds and are from all over the U.S.A. God has gathered the
nations here and has prepared his children to deliver the message of his great
love. I realize now when I see the vast crowds that the field is the world
and that God is involving him self with each and every person there. His
mercies are new every morning Amen! John 3:16 is more vivid than ever to me
now. Be constant and instant in prayer as we labor.
Work for the night is coming.
Date: 96-07:24 00:32:26 EST
Subject: Day 5
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:24 00:32:26 EST
Today on the streets of Atlanta was a real challenge, and a tremendous
blessing also. The crowds remain large, and so do the number of cults and
isms working the crowds. We have also encountered a number of groups who are
distributing sound, fundamental literature. It seems as if this great
gathering of the Nations has awakened many to the opportunities before us.
Because of the generosity of the tract printers and their constituents, and
the wise planning on the part of Missionary Milton Martin, we have literature
in more languages BY FAR than anyone else we have encountered. In fact, we
have had several come and ask us for material! Even with the 78 languages on
hand, we have had to tell a number of people that we had nothing available for
them. It is a real joy to see the faces of people light up when they
recognize something in their language.
So far, we have distributed material to people from 85 countries. Several of
these are countries "Closed" to traditional missions' outreach. We are
trusting the Lord to do great things with the literature and the offers for
correspondence courses.
Even though we have a large number of English tracts, we have tried to target
the people in the different language groups. It has taken some conditioning
for the team to begin thinking in that way. We put out more material in
foreign languages today than any other time. Praise the Lord!
Many of you have sent e-mail messages to the team. These have been a real
source of encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Here are a few other testimonies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brethren,
What a privilege we have to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I greet you in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ who enables us to bear witness for this wicked
generation. Thank you for your prayers during this time. We have been able
to get into countries that are closed to the Gospel. Please keep praying as
we have not finished reaching every Nation represented. We have been praying
for Divine appointments, and that's just what it is going to have to be.
There are so many people coming at you all the time. It slows up just a bit
because of traffic lights and MARTA (subway) unloading, but they never seems
to stop coming. You can stand on a street corner and give out bag after bag
of tracts.
While riding the MARTA home, I gave a Chinese man a tract. He began to read
it and was concerned about the people around him. He kept looking from side
to side to see if any one was staring at him, which no one was. As I went to
get off, His eyes met mine and he said "Thank You, Thank You very much! I
could tell he was humbled greatly because of his facial expression and the
look in his eyes. He had lost no dignity, self respect, or manliness, he was
just sincere.
Today, I was able to share a testimony about Jesus with a Muslim named
Mohammed. He was very interested in Jesus who died for him. He took the
tract and said he would mail in the correspondence card.
There were two Czech's who are athletes competing in Table Tennis walked by so
we dug out some tracts and ran up the street to give it to them. They were
very surprised to see something in their language, and about God. Both were
very thankful.
These kind of things are common among foreigners. Not many tracts are found
on the ground or in trash cans. But this is not so among the Americans. We
can work an area for two to three hours, go up the street where people have
been walking away and find the ground littered with English tracts. Most, if
not all have foot prints on them. What a testimony for the American people.
Another Christian from Atlanta went up the street today and picked up 22
tracts, restuffed them with correspondence cards and returned them to me.
"Seeing that was just too much, I had to do something" was his reply.
Brethren, I Thank God that I'm able to be here in Atlanta. Please keep
praying. There is much work yet to be done.
Paul D. LaFleur
Houma, Louisiana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The following is from one of the folks taking care of outlying venues in the
Stone Mountain area. We supplied tracts to them last week. He sent this to
us by e-mail)
I was in the Centennial Park in Downtown Atlanta and was discreetly (It's not
openly allowed inside the park) passing out literature when I came across a
group of about 20 Asian folks. I noticed on their security badges the were
with the Chinese Olympic Committee and started handed them Chinese
tracts....their interpreter/leader tried to stop me but Continued giving the
Gospel to all of them....pray for them. My attitude was, "Hey, you're not in
China anymore buddy, this is the land of free speech."
We've also seen many soldiers with blue uniforms and Spanish last names/we
aren't sure who they are but we know they speak Spanish so we have sought them
out to hand out Spanish tracts.
Another interesting note: Celebrities are everywhere....We have been able to
hand tracts to David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) and Sinbad (Comedian/actor).
Keep praying for our youth group as we will be leaving for Mexico in a week
where we plan to distribute 1000 of tracts and build homes for the poor.
God bless. David Wylie, Tucker, GA
Date: 96-07:24 00:32:26 EST
Subject: Day 5
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:24 00:32:26 EST
________________________________________
________________________________________
Today on the streets of Atlanta was a real challenge, and a tremendous
blessing also. The crowds remain large, and so do the number of cults and
isms working the crowds. We have also encountered a number of groups who are
distributing sound, fundamental literature. It seems as if this great
gathering of the Nations has awakened many to the opportunities before us.
Because of the generosity of the tract printers and their constituents, and
the wise planning on the part of Missionary Milton Martin, we have literature
in more languages BY FAR than anyone else we have encountered. In fact, we
have had several come and ask us for material! Even with the 78 languages on
hand, we have had to tell a number of people that we had nothing available for
them. It is a real joy to see the faces of people light up when they
recognize something in their language.
So far, we have distributed material to people from 85 countries. Several of
these are countries "Closed" to traditional missions' outreach. We are
trusting the Lord to do great things with the literature and the offers for
correspondence courses.
Even though we have a large number of English tracts, we have tried to target
the people in the different language groups. It has taken some conditioning
for the team to begin thinking in that way. We put out more material in
foreign languages today than any other time. Praise the Lord!
Many of you have sent e-mail messages to the team. These have been a real
source of encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Here are a few other testimonies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brethren,
What a privilege we have to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I greet you in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ who enables us to bear witness for this wicked
generation. Thank you for your prayers during this time. We have been able
to get into countries that are closed to the Gospel. Please keep praying as
we have not finished reaching every Nation represented. We have been praying
for Divine appointments, and that's just what it is going to have to be.
There are so many people coming at you all the time. It slows up just a bit
because of traffic lights and MARTA (subway) unloading, but they never seems
to stop coming. You can stand on a street corner and give out bag after bag
of tracts.
While riding the MARTA home, I gave a Chinese man a tract. He began to read
it and was concerned about the people around him. He kept looking from side
to side to see if any one was staring at him, which no one was. As I went to
get off, His eyes met mine and he said "Thank You, Thank You very much! I
could tell he was humbled greatly because of his facial expression and the
look in his eyes. He had lost no dignity, self respect, or manliness, he was
just sincere.
Today, I was able to share a testimony about Jesus with a Muslim named
Mohammed. He was very interested in Jesus who died for him. He took the
tract and said he would mail in the correspondence card.
There were two Czech's who are athletes competing in Table Tennis walked by so
we dug out some tracts and ran up the street to give it to them. They were
very surprised to see something in their language, and about God. Both were
very thankful.
These kind of things are common among foreigners. Not many tracts are found
on the ground or in trash cans. But this is not so among the Americans. We
can work an area for two to three hours, go up the street where people have
been walking away and find the ground littered with English tracts. Most, if
not all have foot prints on them. What a testimony for the American people.
Another Christian from Atlanta went up the street today and picked up 22
tracts, restuffed them with correspondence cards and returned them to me.
"Seeing that was just too much, I had to do something" was his reply.
Brethren, I Thank God that I'm able to be here in Atlanta. Please keep
praying. There is much work yet to be done.
Paul D. LaFleur
Houma, Louisiana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The following is from one of the folks taking care of outlying venues in the
Stone Mountain area. We supplied tracts to them last week. He sent this to
us by e-mail)
I was in the Centennial Park in Downtown Atlanta and was discreetly (It's not
openly allowed inside the park) passing out literature when I came across a
group of about 20 Asian folks. I noticed on their security badges the were
with the Chinese Olympic Committee and started handed them Chinese
tracts....their interpreter/leader tried to stop me but Continued giving the
Gospel to all of them....pray for them. My attitude was, "Hey, you're not in
China anymore buddy, this is the land of free speech."
We've also seen many soldiers with blue uniforms and Spanish last names/we
aren't sure who they are but we know they speak Spanish so we have sought them
out to hand out Spanish tracts.
Another interesting note: Celebrities are everywhere....We have been able to
hand tracts to David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) and Sinbad (Comedian/actor).
Keep praying for our youth group as we will be leaving for Mexico in a week
where we plan to distribute 1000 of tracts and build homes for the poor.
God bless. David Wylie, Tucker, GA
Date: 96-07:24 23:54:22 EST
Subject: Day 6
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:24 23:54:22 EST
Today marked the third day in which we have used a stationary method of
distributing the tracts. You will remember that we were concerned about how
to efficiently distribute material in the many languages we have (78). This
is the approach we wanted to take in the beginning, but were not able to do it
in the place where we planned, so went searching for another location. We
have set up the tracts on the sidewalk, in three locations and manned the area
with our workers. Also, Heather Craft, wife of missionary Bert Craft made
large signs with the titles of the various tracts in the different languages.
This is in addition to the posters made for us by Chick Publications. These
have facsimiles of the 30+ languages which they print.
These signs attract quite a bit of attention. Many English speakers look
quizzically at the signs, wondering what they mean. We give tracts to them,
then continue to watch the crowd. Those who look and recognize a language are
easy to spot. We then offer them literature in their language. In this
manner, we have placed literature and response cards in the hands of people
from 90 countries!!
The team has done a great job of concentrating on people from these various
countries. It really is very difficult to get into the mindset of focusing on
particular people in large crowds. Try it sometime. Of course, we have more
English literature than any other, so a balance must be struck. Additionally,
there are MANY other groups putting literature into the hands of English
speakers. Few, if any, have material in more than a couple of languages.
That is why we believe God has brought these folks here from 197 countries.
In this manner, a tract was given to a gold metal winner in Weight Lifting on
the streets today.
If you have just subscribed to the e-mail list, you may get an archive of all
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so, please send an e-mail message to . In the body of the
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Three more team members have arrived at the airport this evening. There will
be at least 18 on the streets tomorrow. We have been blessed and encouraged
by the e-mail messages from many of you. Each one is read in our morning
prayer time. It is humbling to know of the many who are praying. On behalf
of the team, "Thank You."
Testimony from a team member:
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I
thank God for allowing me to be here and take part in spreading His gospel.
This is an opportunity of a lifetime, Praise God! When I heard about the
brothers and sisters praying and fasting for us I felt unworthy to be here.
All I can say is to God be all the Glory and Honor. Thank you for praying and
fasting for Gods work. He will bless you.
I am overwhelmed at the throngs of people. It is like an
ocean of people. Yet they reject the gospel. Americans and Japanese are
among the coldest. I pray God will be merciful and long-suffering towards
them. Please pray for them. Pray Church, pray. 1 Thess 5:23,24,25 God
bless you all, may you all be rooted and built up in the love of God.
In His Service,
Grady Lee Mange, Tenn
Date: 96-07:26 23:56:22 EST
Subject: Day 7
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:26 23:56:22 EST
Today we had 4 teams out in various spots around the "Olympic Ring," an
imaginary circle of about 3 miles of downtown Atlanta. Most of the venues and
activities are within this circle. So are most of the crowd. We have been
amazed at the consistent number of people we see everyday.
Every one of the team has stories to tell. Some involve meeting and giving
material to someone from a country which had been prayed over. Some stories
are about God giving great opportunity to witness because of the tracts in so
many languages. Some are about great disappointment; like me meeting and
talking with a group of people today from Azerbaijan, and having no Russian
tracts on me at the time.
However, God has allowed us to meet and place tracts in the hands of people
from 120 countries since the Olympics started in Atlanta 6 days ago!! This is
absolutely amazing to us. We hope you will be as amazed as we are. Also,
Glory to God, the first response cards have come in already! We just got
notice that the first 2 cards have arrived with Atlanta address'. It is so
evident that the Lord is blessing. We know it is because of the intercessory
prayers and fasting by many of you.
We have also had some amazing events happen to us. Not the least of which was
the recovery of a couple of boxes of very precious foreign tracts which had
been misplaced by us while loading and un-loading the vehicles. They turned
up in the office of a policeman at the MARTA train station. We rejoiced as
many of the languages are in very short supply, and we have all of next week
to labor.
You will read about another deliverance of the Lord in the testimony by Mike
Reijnders which appears below.
Please do not cease praying. Thank you for standing with us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lord is really blessing the work here in Atlanta. Of course there is
opposition from the Devil but, the Lord has already won the victory. AMEN!!!
The Lord gave me the privilege today to give two members of the Egyptian
weightlifting team a tract in their own language. And if this was not enough
blessings for one day I was also able to give two members of the Costa Rican
team a tract in Spanish; their own native tongue. We deeply appreciate all of
those who are fasting and praying for our efforts here.
Ryan Hawk, Houma, LA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Reijnders, Germany
Today we had a really good day at the Five Points station. One local brother
who helped us to pass out tracts two days ago, helped us again for several
hours. I have the feeling, that the people are now much more relaxed, then at
the beginning. More people take the tracts, and the foreigners even stop and
wait, until we picked out the right tract. We also meet a lot of Christians
who encourage us, to keep going and not let go. As the time goes by, we meet
more people, who read the tract "This was your life." They really like it.
There was one instance, I want to tell you. I was passing out tracts on the
sidewalk next to the Atlanta Underground shopping center. Suddenly a security
guard appeared and said: This is private property. You have to leave. I
thought, this must be a joke, since I was in the middle of the town, and it
was a public street. The property he should have watched was fenced and about
10 yards away. So I told him, that I don't believe it, and that I will stay.
He kept coming back, calling his base and so on. I still believed, that this
is impossible. After an other while, three guards appeared plus one city
police officer and arrested me, putting handcuffs on me! They brought me to
their office, and wrote down my name, photographed me, checked my passport and
so on. Then they said, I'm not allowed on their property for the next six
months, and if they catch me, I will go to jail. For me as a German, this is
unbelievable and ridiculous. But I think, that we have to get used to being
arrested, and it's a grace of the Lord, if he lets you slowly get used to it.
So after they let me sign a paper, they let me go.
Date: 96-07:28 00:03:08 EST
Subject: Day 8
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:28 00:03:08 EST
Today we were on the streets with 4 teams distributing the literature and
witnessing. Many reports from the team members were shared around the table
as we ate the evening meal. Spirits were high, but several of the team were
very tired. Nine new team members have arrived to work with us next week.
Team members will be arriving and departing for the next few days. Tomorrow
however, will be the largest number for the entire time of the Olympic
outreach.
Several of the team members who have been here for the first week are trying
to get their schedules switched around so they can stay the entire time!
Remember, these are people who are getting up at 7:00 a.m., and going to bed
at 11:00 p.m. with every hour scheduled. Standing in the hot sun on hard
pavement for 8 or so hours at a time, they have simply tried to give the Word
of God to a needy world gathered here in Atlanta. Many have been cursed, all
have been rejected, and mocked, yet they are wanting to stay the second week.
This shows you the caliber of people we have on the team. I might mention
that finances will be a problem for most. Please pray.
We have laymen from North Dakota, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, Texas, New Hampshire, Germany; missionaries from Texas, Mexico,
Chile, Australia, Philippines; and pastors from Wyoming and Ohio. Praise the
Lord for such a great group. Then of course, we have you, our partners, doing
the greatest work; that of intercessory prayer.
Please pray about tomorrow. It will be a very long and hot day. We are
trusting the Lord to use us in a great way. Thank the Lord for the many who
have eagerly received the tracts and invitations to study the Word of God!
Here are a few testimonies;
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Seitz, Houma, LA,
It gives me great pleasure to represent our Lord Jesus Christ as one of his
ambassadors here at this world wide sporting event. To date we have
distributed gospel tracts to 120 different nations! Can you truly imagine
that? How awesome it is to dwell on that thought of knowing that many of
God's creatures are now in possession of portions of Scripture from the Word
of God; enough to bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We have
had opportunity as well to verbally witness to dozens of people from various
nationalities. Our prayer is that individuals from each country are not just
merely saved from the penalty of sin, but that they become missionaries to
their own country. God has richly blessed us and His Word by reaching many of
the 10/40 block countries which are currently closed to the gospel. I
personally was able to give tracts to two men from Iraq yesterday who gladly
received our Christian literature. The second Iraqi who I met was initially
embarrassed to tell me where he was from. He first told me he was from
Persia, but after asking him politely and with a smile if he was indeed from
Iraq, he opened up to me and said "Yes". I believe that are friendliness
without any sign of animosity surrounding Operation Desert Storm gave him more
willingness to accept the tract. There are many testimonies I could include
here concerning those we have reached and the circumstances enveloped within,
but space is limited. Please continue to pray that we come in contact with
the people from countries yet unreached. There are 197 nations registered at
the Olympics. However, there are 237 countries on this planet according to
the book "Operation World". So as you can determine, there are potentially 77
to 117 nations still to evangelize here. Praise God though we have already
reached over half of the countries in our world today! Thank you for
interceding on our behalf. Don't stop now! Your prayer ministry is
essential. For any of you who think prayer is unnecessary, you should be here
to witness first hand how God has protected, provided, and performed for us
and through us by you. Stay by the stuff and earn your full reward. To God
be the glory.
Bro. Roy Seitz, Missionary to the Olympics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all of you who are praying for us. We are having a great time
sowing the seed of the Word of God here in Atlanta. What a great opportunity
to preach the Gospel to all nations!
Joe Silvestri, Wooster, Ohio
-------------------------------------------------
Date: 96-07:27 06:30:22 EST
Subject: Bomb Blast: We are all OK
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:27 06:30:22 EST
We just woke up at 6:00 a.m. to find out that a bomb was set off at Centenniel
Park in Atlanta at 1:25 a.m. NO ONE ON THE TEAM WAS INJURED! We were all
safe at our base (Mt Pisgah Bapotist Church) at the time. This is a very
sobering developiment and has driven home the great need of intercessory
prayer not only for our protection, but for the Lord to soften the hard hearts
of many of the people here in Atlanta.
We are not sure how this will affect our distributin effort for today, as
Centenniel Park has been the center of attention for the tract distribution
for two of the four teams we had out yesterday. We suspect it will be more
difficult to take boxes (re-supply of tracts) into the "Olympic Ring" this
morning. If this proves true, it will certainly hamper the effort. Please
pray!!
Also pray that God will use this to tender the hearts of people here at the
games. An old Oriental provers says something to the effect that 'Where blood
flows, the heart is soft' Please pray that this will happen in the lives of
many.
Tom Gaudet
Date: 96-07:28 00:18:52 EST
Subject: Day 9
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:28 00:18:52 EST
We have just finished with what was projected to be the day with the largest
crowds here in Atlanta. There were great numbers attending the different
venues. Because of the bombing, pedestrian traffic was re-routed for two of
the venues, thus affecting spots where we intended to set up and work. We
sent out a scouting team early in the morning and were able to get information
on how to better reach the masses of people. Minor adjustments were made to
our plans and the entire team went to work.
Altogether, we had 33 workers divided into 6 teams. We were able to reach
great numbers of people in this manner. In fact, at days' end, the list of
countries represented by people to whom we have given tracts to has climbed to
145! We are all amazed at what the Lord has done.
It is such a joy to see the faces of people light up when we present them with
material in their language. All of us have had the experience of seeing this.
I gave testimony of being disappointed a few days ago by the fact that I
missed an opportunity to give tracts to a group of Olympic participants from
Azerbaijan. Well, today the Lord allowed me to give not only tracts, but a
Gospel of John/Romans and a study booklet in Russian to the team Physician
from Azerbaijan! This man was so pleased that we knew about his country and
had material in his language. He was truly appreciative. Praise the Lord!
Everyone was pretty well beat by the time we ate supper at 10:00 p.m. Because
of that, no one typed any new testimonies. Several will do so tomorrow as we
rest and observe the Lord's day here at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. We enjoyed
the many stories around the supper table. I know you will be blessed as you
read them later.
If you are just subscribing and wish to read all of the messages which have
been sent out on this e-mail conference or "Mailing List," simply send an e-
mail message to:
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In the body of the message, type or cut and past the following command line:
get Tracts-Olympics96 Tracts-Olympics96.9607
We trust you will continue to pray. I am not sure if any of us can comprehend
what the Lord wants to accomplish with this great gathering of the nations.
If however, these last several days are any indication, we certainly are glad
to be part of it.
Date: 96-07:29 00:19:19 EST
Subject: Update and testimonies, Sunday, July 28
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:29 00:19:19 EST
No scheduled tract distribution today as we attend services and take a much
needed rest. We will be back on the streets tomorrow with around 23 team
members. We are anticipating problems connected with changes in traffic
routing, and heightened security. One MARTA train terminal was evacuated on
Saturday because of a bomb threat. People are certainly thinking about the
possibilities and maybe they will be more receptive. Please pray concerning
this.
So many good things have transpired that we would be foolish to think we will
escape the onslaughts of the evil one. Please intercede on our behalf. Also,
we are asking the Lord to give us "Divine appointments," as we seek people
from many counties who are here for the Olympics.
We only have 6 days in which we will be working the crowds at the Olympic
Games. We are all sensing the urgency of reaching as many as possible in the
time remaining. Please continue to pray.
Here is a word from Milton Martin. He is having to leave in the morning after
receiving a phone call from Texas. Mrs. Martin's mother is in Intensive Care
and not expected to live. Please pray concerning this. Pray as he drives
back to Texas Monday, pray for God's will concerning Mrs. Machalek, and for
Mrs. Martin's health also as she has been under the burden of caring for her
mother for many months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from Milton Martin:
We are very grateful for all who have a part in the Olympic '96 project.
Chick Publications, World Missionary Press, Fellowship Tract League and
Revival Literature have supplied over 400,000 pieces of literature. Other
printers supplied post cards. Other loving hands spent many hours stuffing
the cards into the tracts.
Several churches have enlisted their people into unbroken, around-the-clock
prayer chains -- and yet others are having daily prayer meetings. Many other
Christians have also given special time to prayer daily. Others have given
special offerings. We are grateful to all that have had a part.
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church of Fairburn, Georgia has opened up their facilities
to us. Twenty five to thirty people from several countries and many states
have paid their own way and given their time to work the streets. In the
first eight days, people were given the message in print from 150 different
countries. Please pray for the salvation of souls and the last week of
distribution.
To Every Creature,
Milton Martin
Date: 96-07:29 23:41:02 EST
Subject: Day 11
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:29 23:41:02 EST
We had a total of 23 people on the streets of Atlanta today in 5 teams. It
was a wonderful day of witness for the Lord. Every single team had tremendous
success. One of the teams was moved by police evacuating the area twice
because of bomb threats. This happened at the crossing points for the MARTA
rail system. There were similar threats on Saturday also. Maybe the hearts
of people are indeed tendered by the tragedy.
When we came together for supper this evening, 29 response cards were turned
in! These cards were filled out on the spot as people expressed interest in
studying the Bible by correspondence. Just looking through the cards gets me
excited; Indonesia, Ukraine, Romania, Greece, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Poland,
Russia, Ecuador, Lithuania, Malawi, Nicaragua, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Ethiopia,
and 3 states of the U.S. This is in addition to the 32 cards already mailed
to the address used in Belton, Texas! Also, as of today, we have been able to
place literature in the hands of people from 154 countries. We hope you are
as amazed by these things as we are. All this has been in answer to your
faithful prayers.
One man was very upset with us today. He said many of the athletes are
Muslims, and their country would not appreciate us trying to convert them. He
wanted to know how we would feel if the Olympics were held in a Muslim country
and there were people trying to convert OUR athletes to Islam. He must not
have looked around much, because there is Islamic material everywhere on the
streets of Atlanta. Praise the Lord, there is MORE good Bible based material!
The last three of the team have arrived. They will be on the streets with us
tomorrow. Now it is down to business for the last 5 days we have to minister
in this great event. We trust you will continue to stand with us in prayer.
Here are testimonies from a few of the team. Some of these are a few days
old, but I know you will be blessed.
Tom Gaudet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all of you who are praying for us. We are having a great time
sowing the seed of the Word of God here in Atlanta. What a great opportunity
to preach the Gospel to all nations!
Joe Silvestri, Wooster, Ohio
-------------------------------------------------
Greetings in the name of our precious Lord: The Lord has greatly blessed me in
the few short days He has allowed me to be here in Atlanta. I have seen His
Word distributed by our team to several different people groups and have been
privileged to be a part of his faithful team. I have been praying recently
for God to give me a burden for lost souls, and this trip had definitely done
that. The cold looks and hearts of Americans, and their indifferent attitudes
toward God's Word have left me with an intense burden for their souls. I am
particularly burdened for college students, and pray that the Lord will give
me the boldness to live for Him and to witness for Him this fall while I am
attending the College of Wooster. I covet your prayers! The Lord has also
given me a world vision through this trip. Many of the groups present are so
hungry for the Word of God, and so delighted to receive His precious Word in
their own language. What a difference from the Americans! Thanks to all who
have contributed with time, finances, and, most importantly, with prayers.
May God bless you for your faithfulness.
Rachel Silvestri, Wooster, Ohio
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ. This is my last day here and I figured
I would write a note to thank you for praying for us. Without your prayers
this would not have been possible. This has been a real experience for me. I
hope I can have opportunity to do something like this again. It has been a
joy to talk to many different nations. It is a joy to see their eyes light up
when they realize you have a tract in their language. Again thanks for the
prayers.
Charles T. Allmond, Wooster, OH
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning DEAR PRAYING PARTNERS. I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH
for your continued prayers for the Olympic outreach. God has done so many
WONDERFUL things it would take a book to tell you about them all, so bear with
me as I tell you of A FEW WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD THIS PAST WEEK. I
have been praying for the countries of Libya, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Morocco &
Mauritania daily. Monday morning Bro. Gaudet sent Bro. Jason and I on a trip
to another part of town in hopes we might find yet another spot to pass out
tracts. While on this trip the Lord led me to a oriental rug store owned and
operated by three men from IRAN. I was able to get their names and address as
well as give each one of them the Gospel both in a tract and in verbal
testimony. Praise God! This same day my wife and oldest daughter were
privileged to get the gospel into the hands of three men from Saudi Arabia.
These men were so pleased to have received this great message of salvation
they gave them a tee shirt each and a packet of information about Saudi Arabia
with beautiful pictures. I believe it was the next day Bro. Tom Gaudet was
blessed with the opportunity to give the gospel message to someone from the
country of Morocco. Saturday, another team member was able to reach someone
from Libya with the gospel message. I have one more country on my prayer list
which has not been reached yet PLEASE pray for MAURITANIA with me.
I am happy to say that God has allowed me to reach many Canadians with
the gospel message I have no doubts this is answered prayer for China King,
God bless you keep praying.
I wish you could have seen the SMILE on the face of a Romanian girl when
I handed her a book in her native tongue or the SURPRISED look on the face of
French speaking people or the ASTONISHED look on a Russian man's face to
receive a gospel message in their language.
Friday afternoon my wife and I meet D.J. Jimenez from Metro Manila
Philippines. Mr. Jimenez was very excited to learn that we were missionaries
to his country, even though he was not saved he knew the need of the gospel to
be preached on the Island of Samar. Mr. Jimenez told us about the Idol
worship and about another type of belief we had not heard of before in which
people are taught that half the body is separated at night to go and take an
unborn baby from it's Mother. This new information just causes me to be more
burdened for the millions of souls there. Let me share this with you. Later
that evening we moved to a boxing match between a Filipino and ? My wife and I
were able to give a couple tracts out there before running into Mr. Jimenez
who was glad to take a half bundle of tracts into the boxing match. PRAISE
GOD FOR THAT DIVINE APPOINTMENT. Only GOD could allow us to pick Mr. Jimenez
out of thousands of faces. I will have to go for now but there is more A LOT
MORE!
Bro. Mark S. Bounds, missionary to the Philippines.
Date: 96-07:30 23:51:02 EST
Subject: Day 12
Originally from: Tracts-Olympics96@XC.Org
Originally dated: 96-07:30 23:51:02 EST
A total of 29 of us were on the streets today. For a time we were broken into
7 teams. All teams encountered great crowds of people and many opportunities
to witness for our Lord. The re-opening of the Centennial Olympic Park after
the bombing brought huge crowds.
It is amazing to see how the crowds seem to change. The same people who are
not at all receptive to us on the way into a venue, oftentimes are very eager
to take tracts on the way out. One day a particular spot is "Hot," and the
very next day, the people are very cold. Then, of course, things change day
to day as the different events or "Venues," take place in different places.
Tomorrow there will be 100,000 people attending venues in two stadiums near
each other. We will have one of our teams right on the footpath to them.
Many of the people attending will walk right past our guys giving the Word of
God in 70+ languages.
We will also have a new team outside of the Olympic Village, the place that
the athletes call home for the time they are here. One of our teams been
working another entrance for the past 3 days, and has had tremendous success
contacting many of the 10,000 athletes here from all over the world.
When we met for the evening meal, 37 response cards were turned in. These
cards were filled out on the spot by people who want to study the Bible by
correspondence. Already 60 cards have been mailed to the Texas address used
on the card. We are all amazed at the response.
Many very specific prayers have been answered as people have been contacted.
Several of you have prayed specifically for certain countries. We have many
testimonies of such "Divine encounters."
Today a coach and swimmer from the Maldives were contacted and the coach
filled out a response card for the Bible Studies. This is a real answer to
prayer. So many have been praying about this country; that God would save and
raise up a man to turn his country upside down for Christ. This opportunity
for discipleship through the correspondence courses with this man may be the
answer to those prayers.
Please continue to pray.