we had just been told we were staying longer in Sunyani than we had expected and had just finished a Leadership Development Weekend. The morning of evangelism was hard and I felt myself getting burnt out. I went home for the afternoon break and went to the Lord in prayer. He reminded me that choosing in was a daily choice, an hourly choice, and that I had a fresh slate that afternoon to make the best of if I let myself. I filled myself up with good conversation and more than a little worship music and loaded the vans that evening to go into a new neighborhood to evangelize.
I remember getting out of the van and assessing my surroundings. There was a little boy with a teddy bear that we ended up dancing with for a few minutes. My natural inclination is to gravitate to the children in the locations we go to and stray farther away from the adults, especially the men. I saw a man out of the corner of my eye and first glance would tell me to stay far away from him. He was dirty and dishevele and in that moment I knew I needed to go talk to him.
As I approached I noticed hands moving and no words being said. This man was deaf and I had a way to share the gospel with him. Flashbacks to seven years ago, the last time I used sign language flashed to my mind. I tried to remember all I could before approaching him. I introduced myself and asked his name.
He replied “My name is J-A-C-O-B”
He told me all about himself, that he had lost his hearing seven years ago because he got ill. He told me how he had taught himself to sign. He shared that he was a Christian and that was My in. I asked if we could pray. I used sign to pray with a man who had not prayed with anyone in over seven years. I prayed that God would show him how much he loves him. I prayed protection over him and blessings. I prayed for healing if that is what the Lord has for him.
I ended my time with him by reminding him that he is so loved by the father and that he is called son.
I invited him to church and said my goodbyes praying I would see him again. I later found out by one of the translators that he was known around town as a mad man, a drunk, and an angry man. I didn’t see that man at all. I saw a broken man, I saw a lost man, I saw a man who needed more of Jesus in his life, I saw a man who deserved to be loved unconditionally. I didn’t know when I left for ministry that afternoon who I would encounter, but the Lord did and he gave me the blessing of meeting J-A-C-O-B.
