01/05/2026
// NOT A COINCIDENCE //
On the first day of a training outreach in partnership with Casey Church, Patience joined her team leader Sandy for an afternoon of practical canvassing. They prayed for an experience that would especially demonstrate the power of literature ministry.
The early part of the outreach drew on continued prayer and faith. Many homes displayed “Do Not Knock” signs. Other people were either not at home or not interested. A brief, positive interaction with two young men on the street was encouraging, but it seemed like the day might end without a clear answer to their prayer.
With just five minutes remaining, Sandy and Patience crossed the road to visit two final homes. It was there that they met Ryan.
Ryan greeted them warmly. As Patience introduced books about health, Ryan’s response was immediate and deeply personal. He was currently facing a recurrence of a rare cancer and was doing everything possible to fight it. Seeing these materials, particularly those focused on wellbeing and family life, he remarked with emotion, “This is at just the right time.” Throughout the visit, he consistently repeated that he had goosebumps because of the timeliness of their visit.
A single father of two teenage sons, Ryan expressed specific interest in resources that could help him connect with and support his children. As the conversation continued, Sandy gently started to introduce a spiritual book, explaining its emphasis on holistic peace and faith.
Before she could elaborate, Ryan began sharing his own spiritual journey. During one of his hospital visits, he had met a friend who was now encouraging him in his faith. This friend was a Seventh-day Adventist and had given Ryan a small devotional book. He was reading it daily. Ryan spoke openly about how much he was learning, particularly about prayer and surrendering his burdens to God. He said this was profoundly different from his previous experiences with religion.
As Sandy and Patience revealed that they too were Seventh-day Adventists, Ryan’s sense of amazement deepened. He spoke about ongoing conversations with his friend regarding faith and baptism, and the peace he had begun to feel through prayer.
By this time, Ryan was holding the full set of books, visibly moved by what he saw as a clear moment of divine timing. He eagerly said he would contact his friend that evening to share what had happened. The team explained they had prayed for an experience where they could be a blessing to someone, affirming that this encounter was not a coincidence.
Before leaving, Patience offered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude and blessing for Ryan and his family. She and Sandy also invited him and his sons to an upcoming “Jesus Seminar” at Casey Church, where the local pastoral team are connecting with them.
The experience left the team deeply encouraged, especially for Patience as a first-time canvasser. It was a vivid reminder that God prepares hearts in advance and brings people together at just the right time. We praise God for the seeds faithfully sown by Ryan's friend who had already shared so much of her faith and Biblical confidence with him.
