cept Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. The cross, and all that it represents, is meaningless to so many. Please pray that the team members will be given many opportunities, by God, to explain his perfect and eternal rescue plan. In the following stories initials have been used to protect individuals’ anonymity. Bin-men! What have they got to do with Nightlight? Well, when most of us are tucked up in bed, many binmen are out in the small hours cleaning the streets of Belfast, which of course includes the Golden Mile area. The bin-men have been grateful for the cup of tea or coffee offered to them during the cold winter nights. And, like so many, they have been baffled as to why this group of Christians are out at that time of the morning. They have since recognised the effect that the team members have in this area of town. The team members are conscious that the bin-men are working but have been able to share a little about Jesus Christ. ‘S’ is a young Roman Catholic lad from Belfast who stopped for coffee and a chat at our tea table on Botanic Avenue. He said that although brought up Roman Catholic he has
attended a number of services in Protestant churches. And while he respects what they believe and teach, he suggested that he would not be travelling along the Christianity road. He believes that all faiths are right and all faiths are equal. Please pray that ‘S’ would be challenged to look again at the Christian faith. “God must hate me because of the suffering I have had to endure during my life.” A statement made by ‘M’ at the beginning of the summer. He claimed to have researched many religions and went as far as to say he would like to believe in God but just couldn’t. He believes Jesus was a prophet but does not believe He is the Son of God. When the team member gave answers to his many questions ‘M’ simply did not accept the answers given. He could not understand that God loves him and has a plan for his life. Surprisingly, he is interested to talk some more. Please pray that he would stop by again very soon. ‘R’ spoke of how after fourteen years living with his partner and children that the relationship has ended, and not harmoniously. He is angry with his ex-partner’s pastor for not making time for him and, as
he sees it, rejecting him. He told the team member that even though he does not go to church he does believe there is a God. ‘S’ also mentioned that he believes God is not perfect and that Heaven is not a perfect place. He therefore believes that he will have no problem going to Heaven as he has lived, in his opinion, a reasonably good life. Please pray! Please remember the Odyssey team as recently they have had a number of very intense and difficult question sessions. Some questions have related to demons or fallen angels. Others have included people distressed that a parent, whose mind is too confused to consider eternal life, will spend eternity separated from God. A young man, ‘C’, was asked to leave one of the Nightclubs at the Odyssey. As he stood complaining at the door of the Club, and asking to be let back in, he noticed Brian and made his way over to him, mistaking him to be a doorman. Brian told him that he would be much better not going back in as it was a waste of money and ultimately
not good for him. Surprisingly ‘C’ agreed. He said that he had come out with £80.00 and had already ‘drunk’ £60.00. He told Brian that he and his girlfriend had recently had a baby and were intending to marry. Brian suggested that he would be far better getting a taxi to his girlfriend’s house to spend time with her and talk about their future together. Brian also suggested that they go along to a local church and get to know some people there and through time learn just how much God loves them. At that ‘C’ broke down and cried for quite some time. He said that he was leaving to go and see his girlfriend, but before he left he asked could he give Brian a hug. Certainly was the reply. He thanked Brian and noted that it was no coincidence that he had been thrown out of the nightclub and had had this conversation. Please pray for ‘C’ and his girlfriend that God would guide them to a church where people will be welcoming and non-judgemental. Pray that God would be pleased to move in their lives. About a year ago a young girl at the Odyssey asked for a Bible following a conversation she had had with a team member. A Bible was supplied and she promised to read it. She was in the Odyssey a few weeks ago and asked if it was possible to get