After we picked up Noah and his dog Jack, we started back towards the ranch. On the way home we shared a few things about each other and slowly got to know each other better. Once we arrived at the ranch, Noah wanted to take his dog down to the lake so I offered to walk with him. I learned that he went to college for 6 years and studied biology. After his dog Jack played in the water, we walked back to the ranch and hung out with the rest of the group outside on the front stairs. Everyone was very welcoming. Eventually we went inside for dinner. Noah sat down with people from our group and everyone started to chat with him. After dinner was over, we prayed over Noah and asked God to bless him and get him home safely.
After Noah and I left for Knoxville, he shared with me how much our group had touched him. I could tell he was moved because his voice would quiver and he would turn away to face the passenger window. He also shared with me that he began praying to God (even though he wasn’t Christian or a believer). He said things had gotten very hard and he couldn’t do things on his own. He asked God for help to get him back to Cincinnati, OH. We were the answer to his prayer. As we talked more I asked him if he had ever heard the biblical story of Paul on the road to Damascus. He had never heard the story, so I told him the story and pointed out the parallels between his story and the biblical story of Paul. I also began to speak life over him and tell him about his identity in Christ. Once again, I could tell he was moved as he turned away several times to face the passenger window. As we continued to talk and share stories, he asked “how do I ask God into my life?” I told him it was a simple prayer. He reached out his hand inviting me to pray with him. I eagerly grabbed his hand and we began to pray. That day a miracle happened as Noah asked Jesus into his heart and into his life.
As we continued down the road, God laid it on my heart to get him a Bible. I quickly checked my GPS and found a Lifeway Christian Book store. We exited the highway and immediately went to find Noah a Bible. He went to the bathroom as I looked over Bibles trying to find the perfect one for him. I also picked out 4 Bible covers ranging from a leather Bible cover to one with a periodic table. When Noah came out of the bathroom, I asked him to select a Bible cover. He didn’t hesitate and pointed directly to the periodic table (probably because of his background in science). As I was paying at the register the woman behind the counter asked me if she could pray for anything. I immediately replied “YES!” and told her Noah had just given his life to Christ. She was so excited and ran around the counter and grabbed two of her co-workers to pray with us. Her name was Jan (which is the female version of John according to her). Her two co-workers were Matthew and Christian. So imagine a picture of Jan (John), Matthew, Christian, Noah, and Paul standing in a circle holding hands in the middle of Lifeway Christian Book Store. I laughed and thanked God for allowing me to be a part of this story.
As one of the guys began to pray, he starting speaking life over Noah and reminded Noah who he was in Christ (his identity). After we finished praying, we asked Jan if there were any affordable hotels in the area that would allow dogs. She told us about this one hotel and picked up the phone to call them. She verified that they accepted dogs, she made sure a room was available, and checked the price. After she got off the phone she told us where to find this hotel. It just so happened to be right off interstate 75, which is exactly where Noah had told me he wanted to be (in a best case scenario). After he was checked into the hotel, I helped him carry his bags to his room. Afterwards he repeatedly thanked me and couldn’t believe how God had answered his prayer that day.
If you think I’m anything special or that you have to be a great evangelist, don’t believe the lie. Actually, before going on The World Race I was frightened by the idea of doing any type of evangelism. I believed the lie I wasn’t good enough, I wouldn’t know what to say, I would screw things up, or I would not say the right words to lead someone to Christ. These are all lies from the enemy who would rather see us sit on the couch and stay in our safe little world. I’ve come to realize that when I am working out of my strengths I don’t rely on God much. However, when I’m working out of my weaknesses, I can’t help but ask God for help and direction. In my weaknesses He is made strong. In other words, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called (John 14:12-17). And guess what… He called ALL of us to ALL nations (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15). He didn’t call some of us to some nations. So what does this mean for you? Is God calling you to physically go to some foreign country? I don’t know, but you should ask God. However, I can tell you if you say YES when God nudges you to do something, you will see miracles as God uses you to LOVE others. So the next time God nudges you, GO speak to the person. Listen to their story and pray for them. It is that simple. Sometimes we complicate the gospel, but Jesus made it pretty simple… LOVE your neighbors (Matthew 22:37-39).
