Look on the Fields: Cast Thy Bread on the Waters

Reprinted with permissions:

Truth and Tidings, August 2013 issue and 

Gaius Goff

She had been widowed for 15 years and had worked hard to make her living at what she knew best as a wife and mother. If she had a dollar for every loaf of bread she made, she would be quite well-off. He was a preacher of the gospel and his wife had died a few years previously. God in His kindness and wisdom brought these two people together and they married "in the Lord." Now, together as older people they were starting a new life and she wondered how to best connect with the people in the community where they lived. Baking bread wasn't her hobby; for years it had been a necessity in order to feed her large family and to help make ends meet.

"How can I connect with the people in this community? I am a stranger to them. They have lived here all their lives and now I am married to one of their own people; everyone knows my husband is a gospel preacher."

One day when baking bread, she decided to make some extra loaves and take them to the neighbors. Each loaf of bread was made by hand and formed with the care of 50 years of experience. Then she and her husband took a loaf of bread to the neighbor's door and he introduced her to the neighbors as his new wife. With few words and a very nice smile she greeted them and a neighborly bond was formed. Now she is on a first name basis and speaking terms every time they meet. Sometimes they take a pot of stew over, and now the neighbor is occasionally bringing them some expression of neighborliness back. The neighbors now count it a privilege when they are asked for help in some project.

Now, before Christmas every year, 70 neighbors receive a loaf of bread, made from scratch, and formed with a desire that they might see and know the love of Christ through the work of her hands. When she walks through the town everyone knows her. The post-mistress said to us, "When she walks in, this place lights up." When she and her husband go to deliver packages containing a Via magazine, an assortment of tracts, and a calendar, every home is open in the town. All the people respect them even though they won't come to hear him preach. Whenever they need help of some kind they know there is an older couple in their community that genuinely cares for them. They are "peculiar people, zealous of good works."

This is "casting your bread upon the waters."

In most cities, doors are closed to people who folks don't know, even those living in the same apartment building. But it is surprising how the smell of freshly baked bread can open a door. A small jar of homemade jam, or a little bit of molasses in a container in a basket with a nice towel around it to go with freshly baked bread right out of the oven, is very hard to resist when someone from down the hall and the second door to the right offers it with a nice smile and a first name.

"Oh, just keep the basket if you want it. But if you want to bring it back sometime, come on in for a cup of coffee or tea. And maybe the basket will get filled up again. I like to bake, but we are getting older and don't eat as much as we used to. Do come and visit us. We are just down the hall and the second door to the right."

This is "casting your bread upon the waters."

In a fairly upscale suburb of a big city, a new family moved in just across the street. When the moving truck got there it was almost noon and the moving men and the new family were carrying things into the house. A soul-winner packed up a container with sandwiches, carrots, and celery sticks, and some peanut butter to go with it, pieces of cheddar cheese, two thermos bottles of coffee, and one with hot water and some tea bags, and a pie - and went across the street.

"Hi, I'm your new neighbor right over there and it looks like maybe it is time you all had a rest and something to eat. I'll just spread this cloth over the front steps and you all get some strength back. I'll pour the coffee. By the way, my name is ... and I live right over there. If you need a phone or to get on line, feel free to come on over. I will be home all day. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. Otherwise, I'll just stay out of your way while you get settled. I know all the folks around here and if you need a bunch of hands for anything, just let me know. We will all be glad to help, and welcome to the neighborhood."

This is "casting your bread upon the waters."

Much of the privilege of reaching people with the gospel is done without fanfare and sometimes without a word of gospel testimony being spoken the first few times we meet. A casual word about praying or going to "church" after awhile gives a new acquaintance a little understanding of who you are. "Good works" and soul-winning go well together. Don't spread yourself too thin. Take time to pray each day that the Lord will allow you to make contact in some way with someone. If the person is a Christian, rejoice in the blessing of "doing good to all men, especially those of the household of faith." There may be several days go by when you have not been able to make a connection with an unbeliever. At least use the phone to call one of God's saints who may live alone and have a talk about something that can cheer their heart. If you have someone of special interest in your life, ask for prayer and if possible pray over the phone with that person.

Fellowship in prayer is part of "casting your bread upon the waters."

Haitian Migrant Workers in New Jersey

Verlandieu Marcellus fellowships with the believers who meet at the Pennsauken Gospel Hall. We asked him to write the report below so others might pray for this work but also be encouraged to do something similar in their area when the opportunity presents itself. No tents or buildings are required. Set-up is minimal. A love to reach lost sheep is the prime motivator and essential ingredient in this work. In reading the story below don’t miss another story – as to how Verlandieu came to Christ. How much more encouraging does it get!

The gospel work among the Haitian people in Hammonton, New Jersey, started in the summer of 2002. Sisters Trudy and Judy Odom of the Barrington Assembly (NJ), and others, were visiting Mexican migrant-workers the previous year with the gospel in Spanish. At that time they took notice of the Haitian people nearby at the Mohawk-farm. However, no one in the group spoke Haitian Creole, which meant, unfortunately, nothing could be done as far as Gospel outreach was concerned.

Trudy Odom taught English at Woodrow Wilson High school where I was a student. Miss Odom was my teacher during 2001 and she invited me to an after-school Bible study that she and Don Draper held at the school. Two to three months later, I came to faith in Christ.

The following year while the Christians were visiting the Mexican laborers again, I was asked along to translate for Brother Andre from the Barrington assembly who was to preach to the Haitian people. My Creole was poor and my translation, at best, were paraphrases of Andre’s messages. Since that time, I have been associated with the work with the Haitian migrant workers.

 

At different times, others have been a tremendous help through much-needed encouragement, prayer, help with the cost of driving-expenses, typing and printing up Creole hymn sheets, providing Bible-texts, tracks, Bibles, reaching out to the English-speaking children and even with the preaching.

 

Nine years later, four new farms have been discovered while the work that started at the Mohawk-farm still continues. Visits begin around the first of June and run to the end of July or the first weekof August. My work schedule restricts the number of evening visits I can make; but I am often free to make three visits per week.

In the past, we took the Gospel to two or more farms per evening. But we have found that such a schedule leaves us with very little time to visit with the people after we preach. As well, for those who come along to help, who are either older or have a demanding career, the late-evening return after visiting two farms makes it impractical. We have, therefore, tried to keep the visits to one farm per day if it could be helped.

 
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It is a thirty to forty minute drive from the Pennsauken Gospel hall to Hammonton. We often arrive around 6-7:00 pm, not long after the people finish work. Those willing to attend would hurry for a bite then return to stand for the singing and preaching. For the past couple of years, we usually take fourteen folding chairs from the Gospel Hall for the comfort of those who would prefer to sit.

 

Receptivity varies year to year, farm to farm, week to week and visit to visit, but on the best day this year we had over forty in attendance and  on the lowest - six. Women, with the exception of one farm, usually make up over 75% of the meetings. Our meetings are usually outdoors as we do not like to impose on those who are resting - especially those who aren't interested. At one farm, the women prefer that we speak indoors and if there is ever a threat of rain we are always asked inside.


Visible fruit is obscured by the fact that the same people do not always return. Every year, therefore, there is always the added excitement of finding out how we will be received. But the Lord has been good in that there have always been those who wanted to listen.

 

For our part, we count it a privilege to tell precious souls of God’s free forgiveness of sin through faith in Christ while not pushing formulaic prayers, nor encouraging empty professions to affect results. If there has been any fruit, we are content that it is known to Him.

ESL in Halifax, Nova Scotia

God has graciously placed in the hands of the local church which meets at North Street Gospel Hall in Halifax an opportunity to work with a number of landed immigrants and international students. 

James Makes a Phone Call Requesting Help

The work began when a Chinese post-doctoral scientist came to Halifax to work for two years at the National Research Council.  Through a friend in Ottawa, James was encouraged to call us and ask for help with English. When James made his first phone call he said, ‘I want help with English and I want to learn about God’. Two Christian brothers went to meet him and his wife. They took along an ESV Bible and began, two nights per week, reading with them the Gospel of John at their home. These folks, as is the case with most of the Chinese and Korean people with whom we have worked, can write and read English, as it the official second language in their countries, but are weak in pronunciation. 

Two Years Later ESL Classes Established

After working with them for about two years, we have moved the program to the Gospel Hall where we conduct classes lasting for two hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. We are normally dealing with people who are well educated and who have a good grasp of the rules of English grammar. We also have had students from Russia, Mexico, Columbia, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Egypt, and Iran among others.

Read Aloud Approach to Learning English as a Second Language:

We believe that one of the most effective ways of teaching English is through the Read Aloud Approach. The student learns as he/she hears the words pronounced correctly by the teacher and further learns through the practicing of proper pronunciation. Each person reads 3-5 verses in turn as we go through a chapter an evening, normally starting with the Gospel of John. Vocabulary is being built as we read together. Comprehension and speaking are fostered as we discuss what we have read. Grammatical issues are discussed as they come up in the reading. 

Bible Translation Used

Believing that modern, present day English is what is reasonable and required, we have chosen to use the NASB but believe that the classes could be profitably conducted also with either the ESV or NKJV.

We want to teach English and believe it is our responsibility to ‘do good unto all men’--‘So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.' Galatians 6:10 (NASB) We also want to sow the Good Seed of the Word of God. We would like to see fruit for eternity. Can we accomplish simultaneously these purposes? We believe we can.

‘For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.' Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB) 

We have seen evidence that God is using His Living Word in the power of the Holy Spirit as per His promise. While many of the people come to us having never seen a Bible, we see evidences that many are seeking for Truth and in the case of the Chinese in particular, would like to learn about the God whom they have been told does not exist. 

Teaching - Not Preaching

We have decided not to preach in a traditional sense but to present the Word in a reading format and to allow the Spirit of God to use the Living Word. A foundation in the Word must be built. We are teaching, not preaching! We do, however, attempt to explain and share the Gospel from the reading each evening. We are not taking an apologetic approach. When questions arise we take them to verses that show what the Bible declares as the answer to the question.

We believe that we can help most by having students read related passages that answer their questions or are connected to the passage we are discussing. From this we elicit responses from the class. We want to be committed to teaching, not telling!

A Summary of the Strategy:

1. A number of us have taken a course in teaching English as a Second Language. A number of these courses are available online. 
2. We advertise free ESL classes but the vast majority of our students are brought by other students who are already in the classes. 
3. We begin with a light snack and social time. This starts at about 15 minutes before class. This is an important part of the work. 
4. Each person is given an inexpensive Bible on their first or second visit. 
5. Class sizes are best with a number not exceeding 6-7 as we are contacting them in a discussion format with the teacher sitting down. 
6. Each evening all classes do the same chapter but on Thursdays we do a different Bible book than Tuesday. The format may vary slightly depending on the teacher, but we begin with a handout for the class. We attempt to introduce first the vocabulary we will be meeting in the chapter. 
7. We then take turns reading 2-3 verses from the chapter. 
8. This is followed by discussion based on questions provided on the outline and on questions raised in the class. 
9. Having a memory verse that presents the Gospel clearly is very beneficial. The Memory Verse is primarily used as a means of clearly presenting and drilling a Gospel truth. It is difficult to memorize in a language that you are just learning but having each student read the verse aloud and then to try saying it is very valuable. Many students tell us that the Bible knowledge is more important to them than the English. 

In summary, there is a thirst for Truth in the hearts of many who come as students and as landed immigrants. There is also a desire to get as much help as possible with the language. We need a willingness to provide the ‘loaves and fishes’ and a confidence in the Living Word, in the gracious workings of the Holy Spirit, and in the truth that God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.' 1 Timothy 2:4

If you would like more information please contact Lloyd Cain, Matthew Cain or David Hull.