Although I was only able to participate in Arise as part-time on the weekend, my time there was still so special and precious. After being freed from fear and weariness through last year’s Arise, I experienced many changes over the past year. I felt unity with the brothers and sisters who participated in Arise and I was able to discover my excitement while sharing evangelism during the door-to-door survey.

What was especially memorable was a meeting with Mr M at the barbeque. M and two friends politely declined at first but as one friend persuaded M and the others to come to a free barbeque, they eventually made their way.

M, who had initially refused the most, started to open up at the barbeque. He was a man in his 70s with scars on his face, blood filled eyes, wrinkles, and tattoos all over his body. I was able to learn that he was a homeless man who visited the church every Tuesday for food. He told us that he had known and met God in the past but from life-long difficulties he had lost his faith. He started to share his hardships, his struggles with paranoia, depression, and other mental and physical conditions. While listening, I could only but tearfully pray for him.

Then a surprising thing happened. M suddenly pulled out his speaker and asked if he could play his praise music. We then all came together and gave the Lord our praise. Although his words said he had no faith, I could feel that deep in his heart there was still a longing for God. He praised God in tears, making gestures like kissing God’s hand. I was deeply moved by him.

After the barbeque, M continued to talk with church members, hugging them and returned to the shopping centre. I felt like I had witnessed a miracle where old wounds in his heart healed through the Lord’s touch. Listening to M’s story, I was able to look back on how God also comforted me, and how much God loves us all.

The Arise, I deeply felt how much our Lord is longing for lost souls to return and with so much joy. He wants to comfort those wounded from spiritual battles. The confession I gave to God when I returned from Arise is that I am not confident to please You Lord, I am incapable of doing anything for You but I want to know Your heart, be joyful when You are joyful and be sad when You are sad. Not only in the place of evangelism but in my daily life, I want to keep praising You Lord.

I hope that the Lord’s love for Basildon and the City Hill Church continue to shout the Lord’s name experiencing the grace that leads new souls to the Lord.