Ithaca is gorges! That is the slogan used to promote tourism. It certainly is a most gorgeous area, with plenty of beautiful state parks, senic waterfalls and picturesque gorges. The abundance of beautiful groves may partially account for the large numbers of Pagans, Witches, Warlocks, and Vampires in the area. As we approached the downtown "commons", the first time, I could not believe my eyes! Right in the commons was a booth set up by "United Pagan Ministries", to promote Earth worship, Witchcraft  and other assorted New Age beliefs. This is a college town, and seems nowadays paganism and colleges go hand in hand. In fact the local University promotes the said "ministry" and favors them with a meeting room, and web space on the universities servers. I found out that this is not an unusual situation. A quick search of the Internet will show you that there are many Witches Covens at Colleges and Universities, meetings are held on school grounds. The US Military now has Chaplains for "Pagans" and "Worship" services. The city of Ithaca also has a lot of OLD Hippies and very liberal professors. I don't know if it is true, but I have been told that 5 or 6 kids a year leap to thier deaths in this town, sometimes a few in the crowd cheer them on. One thing the area does not have is any truth, or hope. They desparately need the light of the world, Jesus Christ!

 2Co 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Lost and blind, what a terrible condition. So much education but;  1Co 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." It is good to shine the light of the gospel in such a dark place. Many refused the tracts. When we commenced to preaching, the place came alive and many started howling! Some said we would rather have you give out tracts, that is the right way to do it. At one point I held out a tract and announced Gospel of Jesus Christ, one older man passing by, replied "NO THANKS! I wish you could follow me on this journey I'm on, but your obviously not ready yet." This is a city totally given over, sort of like in Paul's day. 
Acts 17:16 "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. "

As Bro. Bruce was preaching a group of witches and warlocks assembled nearby. They were noticibly upset with the preaching. Bro Craft tried to talk to them but they would have none of it. They gave him a "Jesus hates you and so do I" card.
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

At one point we noticed an older lady looking at the banner. Bro. Craft dealt with her for a good while.
2Peter 1:19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"
Amidst all the darkness; the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, shone in her heart that day!
She told Bro Craft she had never had anyone tell her this gospel before.  Paul the Apostle said it is our shame that "some have not the knowledge of God" 1 Co. 15:34

We hope to continue shining the light of the glorious gospel of Christ in the Ithaca area. On our second trip to the area the Police threatened to arrest us and to remove us from the area, for unreasonable noise. The officer told us city ordinances prohibit noise that can be heard 25 feet away. Please pray that we would have access to this area, again. We feel burdened to reach such a dark and unplowed field.

Please also pray for victory in federal district court, to open this rocky, unplowed field.