All 46 of us piled in 2 trucks and took off down the roads of Chinendega. We drove for awhile, and finally came to a bumpy stop in the middle of a small village. Not sure what we were getting ourselves into, we were told to split up into groups and begin knocking on people’s doors. “Knock on doors, and tell people about Jesus,” were our only real instructions. So, we did. House after house, we visited with people. Of course, there was a bit of hesitation and fear within us at first. Yet, person after person welcomed us into their homes and made sure that we were comfortable – grabbing us all chairs to sit in, offering us shelter when the rain came, and even sharing food. Here we thought we were going to bless them, and they were the ones to bless us.
A group of us walked up to a house, and a little old lady stood facing us on the front porch. Her presence was welcoming, and it was apparent that she had Jesus in her heart. Just by looking in her eyes, we could tell that she had Christ in her life. Through a translator, we found out that she did have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but she asked if we would pray for her son, who was an alcoholic. “Of course,” we said. So, we followed her inside, and out back behind her house was a man laying in a hammock. My eyes were drawn to three water bottles filled with liqueur laying on the ground beside him. He looked at us through sunglasses, and listened to what we had to say. The mother waited behind him, as we spoke and shared who Jesus is. We shared testimonies of how God transformed some of our lives through alcohol and addiction. He listened, but his hands began to shake as we talked. We prayed over his life, and answered many questions that he had. It seemed like we were there for an eternity as we prayed, and his mother wailed through each prayer. The man told us that he wanted to accept Christ. He wanted to, but he also wanted to wait until he was ready. He wanted to prepare, and then go to a church to do it “right.” We started noticing this with person after person, in house after house. No one felt prepared, and wanted to wait for the right moment.
I began asking the Lord how I could reach these people. What could I do to help them understand that they need a Savior and that nothing else will satisfy? How do you get that across in a 5 minute conversation as you invade someone’s home?
Then, one day we went to the beach to watch the sunset, and I was reminded of God’s timing. Sunsets are GORGEOUS. We long for that time of day when we see the sun set, and when the radiant colors will fill the sky. At lunch time, how can I look at the sky and expect the sun to set? It doesn’t happen like that, because God has created the sun to set at a certain time. If the sun set too early, then we would miss the daylight. If it set too late, then we wouldn’t have the night. It would mess everything up if everything worked the way we wanted it too. The same is true for this evangelism and door to door ministry we have been doing. How can I look at someone and demand that they accept Christ into their lives right there and right then? Instead, I have to wait patiently on God’s timing, and trust that the seed we are planting is enough, just like we have to wait for the sunset. Be encouraged in that in your life as well. Sometimes we are discouraged when things are working the way we want them to – in our families, in our jobs, in our relationships – but wait on God’s timing.
When I think about our time here on the World Race, I find myself always mind blown that I have the opportunity to visit 11 different countries. I will forever have each city and each country on my radar throughout the rest of my life. Whenever I hear “Chinendega, Nicaragua,” my ears will take more notice and awareness in what is being said. It will forever be something that I take notice of. The way that these cities and countries will be etched on my heart forever will be the same way that Jesus will etched on these people’s hearts forever. They will forever have Jesus on their “radar.” Maybe we aren’t seeing an incredible transformation in each house that we enter, but we are putting the name of Jesus on their minds. The next time someone comes to talk about Jesus, they will already have heard about Him, and might be more receptive to what is being said.
Another cool thing is for every area in these villages, there is a pastor. There isn’t necessarily a church building in every village, but there is a pastor who lives in each area, ministering to the people around. So, when we start conversations about Jesus, there will be a pastor who lives nearby that will be available for questions and follow up.
We are learning to be bold and confident in what God has done in our lives, and fearless in sharing that with others. We are praying for the Holy Spirit to work in us, so that our words become His as we speak with each person. Our days are filled with door to door ministry, as well as gatherings in the villages where we preach, have space for worship and prayer, and share testimonies. We are putting Jesus on people’s radars, and that in itself is a major blessing!!!!
