Octemberfest 2012 - Marshalltown, Iowa

Me praying for Rickey, a new believer in Christ

Octemberfest has notably been our anual outside year end event. Paul and I went last year with his "Are You Ready" cross and had a blast. We had so many good conversations and we were hoping to have another great night. This time Tony Didlo of Saving Faith Outreach joined us.

When we got there we started on the same corner as last year. We knew it was going to be a good night. Paul didn't even get his cross unfolded when a teenage girl ran up to Paul and wanted to talk to "the cross guy". She was an uninformed Mormon and as he was answering her questions, a young man came up listening to the conversation. I could tell that he was paying attention and was really bothered by the answers, so I decided to talk to him one-on-one. His name is Rickey. I asked him if what listened to made sense and he agreed. I went over the 10 Commandments again with him and asked if he would be guilty. He said, "yes." I asked Rickey what God would do with him and he knew that he would go to hell. When I asked him if he was concerned, he started to tear up and he said it did...greatly. I shared the gospel with him and helping him understand that he broke the law and Jesus payed the fine. After over a half-hour of conversation he asked, "I am so sorry for what I did, and how I hurt God and want His forgiveness. When can I do that?" Wow...what a moment. So I told him that he can do that right now becuase he could die today. So Rickey reached out his hand, and he prayed, confessed his sin and asked God for His forgiveness and recieved Christ Jesus as savior and Lord. I then prayed for him that he would serve God the rest of his days, that he would have a godly wife and kids, and that he would grow in His grace and mercy. Rickey picked up his head and said, "I wasn't expecting to do this when I came down here." "Neither was I, but God knew and brought us together." I gave him a bible that I have been carrying around for 9 years (it still looked brand new since I had it wrapped), gave him chapters to read, talked a little more and exchanged information.

The rest of the evening was great. We had many conversations and Tony was all fired up after Rickey receiving Christ. We were all encouraged and ready to come back next year. Since the writing of this I've been in contact with Rickey. He's reading his bible and asks questions when he gets stumped. Pray that he will find someone closer at his church to disciple him as he grows in Christ. Thanks for reading.