One of my most favorite memories I have while in Abidjan was meeting this guy named Guy. Seriously named Guy, I remember asking his name after he told me and I was rather confused. So Guy was a extremely wanted criminal. Right away I noticed scars on his forearms, which he later showed me and told me that they were from trying to jump over a wall that had the shards of glass on the top to deter from that. He opened up very quickly about what a bad person he was, he has don’t everything.
Currently running away form the police, he has stole, murdered, stabbed people, and lied, “I am a very bad person” I remember him saying numberous times. Then like most conversations this month, it went straight to God and religion. Right away told him about how forgiveness is something that can be freely received and continued to listen to his amazing story. It was something you would find on America’s Most Wanted, but for Cotè D’Ivoire I guess. So Cotè D’Ivoire‘s Most Wanted.
After him opening up to me I began to feel the conversation taking a different form. “I want to change but its very hard.” I could see it in his eyes that he desired change but was being chained to his past. I was shocked when he said he was trying to be a Christian but he did not feel good enough to be one.
It broke my heart to think that people don’t feel adequate to recieve the free gift that is given to them by Jesus. Where did they get this thinking from? I began to pour into Guy and lay out to him that he is worthy because he was made in Gods image and its never to late to turn your life around and be forgiven. Making it clear that it is not okay what he did but can still recieve all God has in store for him.
After pouring into him he said something that really hit home. He said, “I can tell there is something different with you, because you are not afraid of black people, and you are not afraid of me.” My heart shattered into a million pieces as I tried not to cry right infont of him. I couldn’t find any words for me respond with, so I just listened and smiled. I was utterly speechless and felt those words radiating though my body being etched into my brain. That was a perspective changer for me.
He then asked for prayer, prayer that he has permanent change in his life. That his past stays in the past and the baggage that comes with his past be given to God. Pray that he has true transformation, gets away from his situation and has a fresh start that only God can provide. It was one of the most impactful prayers that was spoken through me. I am so thankful to have meet Guy. The emotional pain I felt listening to hist story, hearing his questions, and that one sentence that pierced my heart will be something that sticks with me for the rest of my life. It was one of the hardest stories to listen to. Yet the the desire for change was like a mustard seed. Seems like his chance of having a relationship with God was so small and so insignificant, yet, it prevailed.
”If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move the mountains. Nothing will be impossible for you!” Matthew 17:20
