This post is a continuation of my ministry snapshot/portrait series. For Albania’s story, click here.
Theo (name changed)
One of our ministries in Greece was to go on prayer walks around Thessaloniki. We did not have any specific agenda other than to follow the prompts of the Holy Spirit. I was paired up for the night with Haley. Haley was thirsty; once we were on our own, her first task was to buy a bottle of water. She saw a man sitting nearby and made the decision to talk with him.
“Do you speak English?”
This simple question prompted a two hour conversation about God. Through a mixture of broken English and Greek, we got to know parts of his story. Theo spoke more with Haley than with me. I sat next to them, listening and praying in my heart. At one point in our conversation, we did not seem to be making any progress. I was about to suggest that we end the conversation and go somewhere else. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “Just wait.”
By waiting a few more minutes, we were able to hear the deep, hard questions of Theo’s heart about God. He has been dealt some hard situations in life, situations that made him doubt the existence of God, let alone His love. Theo is very hardened towards God, even though he is Greek Orthodox. While Theo spoke, something happened in my heart that has never happened before. My heart literally broke for him and the pain that he is carrying in his heart. I had to hold back tears and sobbing. I was so desperate for him to fully grasp that God exists and loves him.
We asked him to come back the following night for a further conversation. The second conversation was shorter. There was not a miraculous realization of who Jesus is. He did not accept Christ that night. Haley and I both know that seeds were planted and watered in both of our conversations. We most likely will never see Theo again, but we can still intercede for him, believing that God will change Theo’s hardened heart and mind.
