Isaiah 58 in Action
Literature Evangelists, Leon Lumby and Karen Stoeckert, had just finished canvassing for the day and were heading back to the car, when a man approached Karen asking for help. She obliged by purchasing some food from the nearby supermarket. On her way out another young man asked for help but unfortunately Karen wasn’t able to assist this time as she didn’t have any more cash.
When Karen got back to the car and told Leon the story, he said, ‘I can help’. The Lord had brought to his mind a donation he had received earlier that day. ‘God is so good the way He provides for His children’, thought Leon. Introducing himself to the young man, Leon asked what he needed. ‘Something to eat,’ he said. So, they went into the pizza shop next to the supermarket and ordered a pizza. While they were waiting, the young man, Liam, said he was couch surfing at a friend’s place but was basically homeless. Leon asked him if he wanted a place to stay and gave him the number of a Pastor who could help him out. Liam was very thankful and they parted ways.
Just as Leon was about to get in the car, he saw a young man whom he had met earlier in the week and who had asked for a call back. Leon called out, “Hey, Paul*.” Paul looked over with a big smile and said, ‘Are you the godly man that came to my door?’ Leon had a chuckle to himself and said ‘Yes, I’m the man who came to see you.’
While chatting earlier that week, Paul disclosed to Leon that he had only ever read three books in his entire life, and these were all about war. Leon knew exactly what book to offer and started canvassing The Great Controversy. Paul was interested but didn’t have any money, hence the request for a call back.
Leon was planning on going back to see Paul but had not had the chance. However, God had different plans and made sure that the two men met up again. God’s timing is always perfect! “Are you still interested in the book?” Leon asked. “Yeah mate,” replied Paul. “It will be my fourth war story!” He purchased The Great Controversy and got a Steps to Christ to go with it.
But the story doesn’t end there…
Unbeknown to Leon, Liam had been trying to phone Pastor John Horvath for several days. Finally, Sabbath morning, Liam managed to get hold of Pastor John who picked him up and took him straight to church. An afternoon meeting at another church had been arranged which Leon planned to attend. As he walked through the door of the church, who did he see but Liam! Leon was so happy that Liam had accepted the offer of help from Pastor John. He now had a place to stay at Pastor John’s farm and the prospect of hope.
The following week, a kind lady from the church took Liam out and bought him a suit and a new pair of shoes. Wearing the suit made Liam feel like he wanted to change his life. ‘I had been searching for God for about a year. I knew I wasn’t happy with my life, and I wanted to change but just didn’t know how.’
*not his real name