Handing Out The Ancient Scroll
I must have looked pretty scary with my green bandana wrapped around my head under a black cowboy hat and a black patch over my right eye. Strapped over my shoulder hung a brown leather backpack, and at my waist hung a loose fitting belt with a hatchet dangling at my side. It was a pirate themed weekend at the Renaissance Festival and I wanted to fit in!
Earlier that same morning, I made an announcement in church that I was going to the Renaissance Fair to hand out Bibles. After church I filled my backpack with about 50 pocket-size New Testaments, commandeered the church van, picked up a few willing participants, put on my pirate outfit and headed to the fair!
As a missionary in my own country, I am always looking for opportunities to share God's love, and spread His word in effective and unique ways. The Renaissance Fair doesn't just attract people who like to dress up in medieval costumes, eat turkey on a stick, and watch sword fights, jousting, and live chess games. Many who come are searching for the meaning of life and are intrigued with the supernatural.
Toward the end of the day, I noticed a young lady sitting on a bench near the gateway of the fair. She was wearing a reddish pink skirt with a light-pink halter-top and sandals with white socks. Yellow, pink, and green flowers were woven through her hair. A brown leaf on a leather string hung on her forehead. She carried a twisted wooden staff wrapped in beads and butterflies. But best of all was her cute little stuffed bear, dressed like a pirate in a red vest, yellow sash, and black hat. With the best Irish pirate accent I could muster, I asked: "Would you like a copy of the ancient scroll, me lady?" To my surprise she turned to her stuffed bear and asked, "Should we take one?" The bear apparently said yes, and I handed her a Bible!
When we returned to the van, my leather pack was empty. We had handed out every Bible we brought. We had such a great time and can't wait for next year to go back!
Even if you never go to a Renaissance Festival or on a mission trip to some far off country, you needn't look too far to find that the greatest mission field is the one right in front of you. The people you pass every day in your neighborhoods, schools, malls, gas stations, grocery stores, carnivals or fairs-all need to know God is in love with them! As human beings we need to humble ourselves, turn from selfishness and sin, and put our faith in Jesus. Wherever your path may take you, always remember you are a light bearer in a dark world. So let your light shine for Christ!
Roddy MacIvor has been serving on TeenServe's summer staff since 2003. If you attend TeenServe next summer you can ask Roddy to talk to you with his best "Irish Pirate accent."
