Gasparilla Again
The Tampa Pirate Festival, Gasparilla is a two-weekend extravaganza. Last weekend was the "kids' parade." My wife and I both wrote about our horrific experience with that one. My point was less about being stranded for hours in the cold rain and more about my frustration with our effort of servant evangelism on the day. We handed out candy necklaces attached to cards... if you missed it, you can read my thoughts on the day here.
This past Saturday was the real deal. I thought of it as a little local thing that gave people an excuse to get wildly drunk and carouse around for the afternoon. Apparently, it is a bit more of an event than that. It is Mardi Gras-esque, with people coming from all around for the privilege of having "been there." We were there, attempting to bring God's kingdom to the party goers. I was sans wife and kids this time. Partially because I could never beg, bribe or beat my kids into going to another Gasparilla parade, but also because we knew this one was not intended to be family friendly. The plan was to meet at Raymond James Stadium and pass out free bottles of water to the literally thousands of people who would park there and ride the shuttles to the parade route. For some reason, the subtle differences between this project and the last one made this past Saturday's attempts very enjoyable and rewarding for me.
The concept is basically the same - approaching strangers and giving them something they really don't need and might not even want, in an attempt to point them to the no-strings-attached love of God. I had a blast with the water though. We had the canvas bags like the paper boy carries stuffed with about 25 bottles of water. It's always a bit out of my comfort zone to approach strangers, especially with hopes of talking to them about Jesus. But when I make myself do it, I always see God "show up." First let me list some of the more humorous items that put this event in the "good" category.
- I was told by one group of already-drunk-girls that I am quote, "the sh%@" To which I replied, "I am indeed."
- Another couple drunk girls, after taking the water bottles, asked if I wanted them to lift up their shirts for me. That's what they do to get free stuff along the parade route. "Uh... no thanks. The water comes no-strings-attached."
- I delivered free water and cards from our church to a bunch of guys in their car, hitting from a huge red, acrylic bong (if you don't know what that is, you're all the better for it).
Scott Bane
6 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (6)
In my one "real" experience with this, I don't know how grand of an opinion I'll have. Although, I must say that having a card attached seemed to make people suspicious, in a way....as if all the more reason to assume that I wanted something in return. They read the card immediately, I think, to figure out what the "catch" was.....maybe it was good they had a card to read to see that there really was no catch at all....I don't know. In my gut, however, I feel that it is just as "genuine" of an event to hand out no cards at all. I think people might have asked me more questions if I didn't give them the "answer" along with the roll of tape. I almost felt like the card got me off the hook of having to do much talking at all.....don't know so much if that was "Spirit-led" either. I like how you are experimenting with all of this so we can all learn from your experiences.
Trish
I think that your hold the cards till they ask questions is awesome. I hate that when we do SE at our church it always seems more about those stuipd cards than the gift. I don't pass out many cards either becuase I don't care if they come to "my" church just that they experience God's love with NO STRINGS attached. Just His love!
Love it love it LOOvvvvvee IT! You were not looking for anything in return, from them immediately! Maybe it is just me, but if someone gives me something with something attached, I won't take it, you want something from me! Glad this weekend went so much better and it sounds as though you were received well! And now, God can continue and the seed will grow!
Now, this summer, at the kids soccer games a big tooth came out a couple of times with bottles of cold water! On the label they had their advertisement! I did take the water and found it so cool they just handed and walked! Cool thing about this is: I didn't read the label til they were gone, I still remember the Dentist Office that was handing them out and I think I really want to try this Dentist out! All because of this bottle of water. Maybe the label on the water would work as well, don't know just a thought.
Anytime someone is approached with God's Love, and they receive what you are giving (cards or no cards) I believe it opens them to receive from God!
Oh and with all the "ACTION" you saw I bet the family is glad to be left behind! I really liked reading about the people you were able to talk to FUNNY!!!
I like the idea. Of course, you are a "pro" by this time at being willing to listen to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit. Excellent, however!
Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I was really energized by the whole day. The best thing is that it all happened in 1 hour! I was personally able to give out 500 bottles in 1 hour. That is certainly a function of the event itself (tons of people all in one place), but being at the parking area instead of the parade itself really lent itself to having conversations. That's what I dig.
I think it's great that you were willing to go talk to people partying at this event. It can be intimidating enough to talk to people, even more so when they are going to be drinking and high on stuff. As far as the cards go, only you really know what was in your heart, but I seriously doubt you would cop-out of anything.
Thanks for the conversation. I miss your teaching gift. So many times you say things in a way that I get. I'm glad you are learning and doing servant evangelism, and very glad that you have kept the lines of communication open so we can still learn from you.