I’m a bit introverted so even writing about my experiences in a blog is a little out of my comfort zone but then again the last ten days of July were a lot out of my comfort zone. I was not even thinking about being on this trip and didn’t find out I was going until less that twenty-four hours before we left. Needless to say, I was not prepared.
About three hours into the very rainy start of our trip, warning lights went on in the lead van and something visible was hanging from below. After exiting the freeway, we searched for any sign of civilization and finally came across a small town which fortunately housed an auto service center. As we all emptied out of the vans and into the waiting area, something special was waiting. The wait area was decorated in Bible verses and various pictures and plaques distinctly putting the Christian owner’s faith on display. After a short time on the hoist, we were ready to get back on the road – at no cost. God made His statement that He would be very active in our trip.
We arrived safely and spent the weekend training for what was to come. On Monday morning I prayed a prayer that I don’t think I ever had prayed before. I asked God to make any opportunities He placed in front of me to be made very clear to me. He knows that I sometimes have a hard time listening. On Monday evening in one of the projects called Melph, a six year walked over to me and befriended me. Soon after he grabbed my hand and was walking me to his home to get a drink of water. After he went into the house, I was “greeted” first by his mother and then his father. Neither seemed too delighted to have me there but at that moment I knew that God had given me an opportunity. The next morning, a youth pastor from Michigan was having severe back problems so I drove him to the emergency room at the hospital in downtown New Orleans. Time seemed to stand still as I waited four hours before he would return. Many of the others in the waiting room seemed to be just as tired. As I began conversations with several of my new “roomies”, I knew that God had given me opportunities. Even on the way home filling the gas tank and talking to a lone motorcyclist on his way back to Georgia, I knew God had given me an opportunity.
As we completed our drive home and I was reflecting on all that had taken place, I couldn’t shake a question that Josh had been asking all week long – what about Monday? Although it was out of my comfort zone to approach strangers about the Gospel, what would I do when the trip was over? Then, I would be with my co-workers, my neighbors, acquaintances and family. Talking to them would be a lot more uncomfortable.
But what God reinforced to me over the course of this trip was that all I needed to do was to be faithful and that He would do the heavy lifting. So, Monday morning came and I prayed that prayer and my mini missions trip continues. ~ Cary T.
No comments:
Post a Comment