Earlier that day, before my encouraging conversation with P, I met another man: C. C was asking me about the missionary training and about what a missionary is. When I asked about his reading and understanding of the Bible, he told me of his confusion. He wanted to read it more, but didn't understand it when he did. Then he told me about a voluntary meeting he was attending in the mornings. He said that one day, the leader of the group, "...prayed with me and told me I was saved or something." He didn't understand what that meant. I gave him "By This Name", which is intended to help people understand the Bible, even if they had little or no previous knowledge of it. Then he had to go attend a meeting.
This was when P showed up. He overheard me talking with someone and explaining what New Tribes was. Before that, he just assumed I was one of the clients. He was obviously excited about the Lord. He told me how he had, "...already led 2 brothers to the Lord." He was the one who prayed with C for salvation. This was when I realized one of my objectives in ministry there. Not only do I need to talk to the unsaved about their understanding of God and His Word, but I also need to help those who are believers clearly communicate the truth to their peers. They have much more time and opportunity to impact the men around them.
So does the word of God return void? Obviously, God says it doesn't. But what does that mean? Are we just supposed to haphazardly "scatter seed" by throwing verses at people, even though they don't understand them? The verses may be quite appropriate. However, people need to understand the gospel before they can place their trust in Christ for salvation. I think that 'God's word doesn't return void' should be read in context. It seems to be referring to the promises of God and His power, that He accomplishes what He says He will, or He has the power to speak the universe into existence. Let us all consider how we may clearly communicate God's truth.