Missionary even on my “days off” ?

WOW, it has been an amazing last few months.  Our entire squad is currently in Granada, Nicaragua for a couple more days before we head to the Philippines.  Our team arrived 2 days ago after spending the whole month in a little town called Palacaguina.  It was a bitter sweet moment while leaving because we built such amazing memories and relationships with our contacts and the people there.  We worked hard and did a lot of different types of ministries.  But once we were packing up to leave I was also just ready to go, to move onto the next new place, to get to Granada to relax and not have to work or do ministry. 

Once we got to Granada our team walked to meet with others from our squad.  I was so happy to see them all and within 20 minutes of being there I was already off to a coffee shop with my squad mates to try, what all the locals say is the best coffee in town.  While sipping my delicious Americano coffee and talking to my friend Jonny I felt a tap on my shoulder.  Looking up I saw a young lady looking at me, pointing at the pastries, and then asking for money.  Even though I really wanted to give her something I am already used to people asking for money and begging everywhere I go.  I shook my head, no and replied, "lo siento, no tengo dinero para darte pero yo puedo orar por usted."  Meaning, "I'm sorry, I don't have money to give you but I can pray for you."  When I said that she looked at me, put her head down and nodded her head, yes.  In reality I didn't expect her to want prayer because a lot of people just walk away when I ask.  So I asked again if I could pray for her right then.  She nodded her head, yes.

We walked outside together.  I asked what her name was.  Brenda.  Then I began to ask her a few questions.  Brenda, do you know who God is.  She said yes.  I asked if she knows that Jesus died for her sins.  She said yes.  I asked if she had ever accepted Christ into her heart as her Lord and Savior.  She said no.  She immediately bowed her head and I began to pray.  I prayed for her life, safety, sense of hope, a real home (because she lives on the streets), for her heart, so many different things.  I looked up a couple times while praying and noticed tears streaming down her face.  This is when my heart really grew for her. She is hungry for more.

As we finished up praying and we said goodbye after a great big hug, I kept looking back becuase I heard a voice, Gods voice if you will, "I am not done with her, I am not done."  I didn't really know what that meant until I remembered that I prayed for her but never asked her if she wanted to pray Jesus into her heart to have an actual relationship with Him.  That's when I interrupted her while a stranger was giving her money.  I told her to come with me.  Again, we went off to the side, away from people, and I asked her if she truly wanted a relationship with Him and if she would say a prayer with me.  She nodded her head, yes.  Next thing I know, I am taking her through the prayer of salvation, in spanish, and she is repeating every word with tears streaming down her face. 

As she looked me in the eye, I reminded her; "Brenda, you are beautiful.  God loves you so much and is just waiting for you to run into his arms.  You have hope and there is more than you living on the streets and begging for food.  In the toughest times when you feel like you are at your lowest, things are possible with God.  It doesn't matter about your past and what you have done, you don't need to change to have your relationship with God, He loves you as you are.  Remember this Brenda, forever. He loves you."

We gave eachother a huge hug and that was the last time I saw or talked to Brenda.
I never expected this to happen.  I just planned on enjoying my coffee and chatting with my squadmates, but even this moment I will remember forever.  It was in my selfishness where God worked unexpectedly.  We just had an incredible month of ministry and it was a lot so I was looking forward to taking a break and relaxing. 

This is my life.  God lives inside of me.  Because He changed my heart and filled me with His love to see all people the way He sees them, why would I want a break from sharing Gods love in this way.  It really is not work, but a way of life.  Call me a missionary, I guess.  I am still getting used to the sound of it because I still find it weird.  But God has a purpose for all people and He loves all people unconditionally the same.  It is my way of life to get over my selfishness and remember that even on our "days off" of ministry, it doesn't mean it's a day off to seek these moments and divine appointments God has.