I got to meet a young man named Dennis in Romania. He walked in from the street, all tatted up… even a star one on his face! all homemade tats too. I felt God telling me to introduce myself so I did. He didn’t know much English so I couldn’t say much then. I left praying I would get to see him again and the next time with a translator. there was something about him.
Later that night, the whole team got to go to the night church service. I walk in the door and who do I see… Dennis! My heart smiled. I say hello to him and he comes and sits behind me. I find out he is 20 and super shy, so shy that when you talk to him he won’t even look at you. I could see he was lonely. I immediately begin to pray asking God:
“What do you want me to tell Dennis? Why does he look so sad? What does he need to hear from you? use me Father. Open those doors and opportunities. My heart breaks for him Lord.” I heard God tell me “love“. got it!
During the service we all got to pray for the people near us (just like we do at Watermark at Raise the Mark). I circled up with Dennis and Marcel (a friend of ours from the mission house). It was awesome to pray and show love for my new friends. The next day in my quiet time, while I was praying for Dennis, I heard God tell me “removal of guilt and shame”. umm ok Lord? How do I do this when I don’t know him? I saw him again later in the week and he asked me my story and how long I had been a Christian. so I began to share. I wanted Dennis to know more of God’s love. He wouldn’t say much about his story, but he did say he had found Christ back in January. I could tell he’d come from a hard life and just the fact that he was surrounding himself with people who love Jesus made my heart happy.
Unfortunately, I never got to know his story but I know God loves Dennis and has big plans for him. And even though that was all the interaction God had planned for Dennis and I, I smile in knowing that was all God needed to shine onto Dennis. I don’t know if I will ever see him again, but I continue to pray for him. That’s the beauty of the Holy Spirit :] I hope this encourages you guys on the daily small encounters we all have with strangers no matter where we live. no conversation is meaningless!
