sometimes, I find myself with a bunch of head knowledge about different concepts of my faith but a lack of practical experience behind those beliefs. this year is about the conscious decision to battle the lies inside and truly walk out my faith and abide in the greatness the Father has called me too.
Team Reckless Pursuit, Christine, Tony the Inca Link intern, Buff and i went to Plaza de Armes after a morning of ministry, looking for dessert and wi-fi. the plaza is a great place to shop and people watch. of course, my eyes made a beeline at a really disturbed looking old man with a bag of his belongings and a tamborine, half talking to himself and others passing by in the middle of the pedestrian walkway. his leg was not full developed and he limped steadily in sky blue sandals. i distinctly remember thinking in my head that I felt like taking a break from ministry seemed like I was seeking a break from God. I don’t know why I had that thought but it had the makings of a spirtual attack. so I said one of the silent prayers that is not really a prayer. it’s like one of those random streams of thoughts that you just tack the word “amen” to the end. anyways, i basically said:
the hunt for food is always successful but internet access can be elusive and oddly enough, the McDonald’s we visited claimed their network was unavailable for the afternoon. leaving after about an hour, i saw that same thrifty man hobbling in the same direction as us. Steven noticed writing on his tambourine about Christ. i can read a good bit of Spanish and because i'm blessed with curiosity and little fear, I nonchalantly walked to stand beside him and read it, which essentially proclaimed that Christ would return for His followers. Steven offered him his pocket change. the man instantly lit up! he was so happy! he opened his fanny pack to retrieve his heavily notated New Testament and started dropping truth, truth, and more truth in super fast Peruvian Spanish. it was amazing.
still praying for fluency. i had an understanding of about every third or fourth phrase.
also, John 3:16 speaks for itself so i reminded the man how much we and God love him!
then, i asked, in Spanish, if we could pray for him and i have not ever witnessed such eagerness to receive. his joy in removing his ballcap and bowing his head was unparalleled. i had to restrain myself from crying on that street corner. Steven and i both prayed big declarations of thankfulness and healing and encouragment over him, which i'm realizing more and more is just as necessary as vying for a person's salvation.
i wish there was more understanding between us and that man, but the Holy Spirit goes before us in all situations and prepares the hearts of man. Steven reminded me of that. God knows that man needed to see a glimpse with his natual eyes, members of his large and unseen family of faith through Jesus Christ, and what a surprise for him to find that in a giant white guy and a hip black girl from the United States!
there is not a chance God will neglect to hear this kind of prayer if you have the courage to pray it. these results are not limited to the foreign mission field. the Lord is waiting for our “okay” and then He can hit the ground running. I know He can work in your life just as mightily. let’s commit to remain prayerful and willing to be led by the Spirit.
