Oktober Fest

For the past two years I have had the opportunity to work at our church's booth at the La Mesa Oktober Fest. For those of you not familiar with this event, let me explain. For Oktober Fest, they basically close several blocks of a street and set up booths selling arts and crafts, advertising businesses, or selling food. Our booth--along with a couple of others--would be the exception to that. We weren't selling anything, but rather provided free literature to anyone interested. Several banners posted prominently with questions like "What is the bridge to eternal life?", "Why is there death and suffering?" and "Is there really a God?" brought many seekers as well as agnostics by to talk with us. Our assistant pastor, Mark Robinson, came up with this idea and put together a schedule for those who volunteered to help.
I was given the time slot of Saturday from 11AM until 3PM--along with another couple from our church. The morning hours weren't very busy, but after lunch there was a steady stream of people passing. Most people sped up or looked away when they saw our booth, but a few stopped to look and a few of those actually were willing to talk with us. Some believers stopped to take a few tracts to share with unsaved friends or just to say "thanks for doing this", or "keep up the good work."
I was grieved to see many people who weren't even willing to consider what the Word of God had to say to them, but also encouraged to see people really seeking the truth. I just pray that those who listened to us share the gospel will take it to heart and read the literature we gave them. No one got saved--as far as I know--but I know that many seeds were planted. God will give the increase and only eternity with show the effects of our efforts this weekend.