We were sitting at one of the launch training sessions in Atlanta, GA before embarking on the World Race. Five volunteers were pulled up on stage, each representing a missionary who would at some point minister to one person over a period of time.
Number one broke the ice and initiated the first relationship. Weeks, months or even a year later, woman number two came and began to tear down the stereotype that Jesus was just for white Americans. More missionaries came to minister to and love on this one individual over a period of years until finally, the veil of darkness was torn. Light and truth came pouring out as she came to understand and accept the love and forgiveness of Christ.
The purpose of this illustration was to show that it often takes many individuals to witness to one person before they come to accept Christ. Some plant the seed, others water, and finally there is the bountiful harvest. I think we all want to be that last individual to see the harvest and fruit of the work of others. But little by little I believe God is revealing to me that he has called me to be that first individual, the seed planter in a long line of broken earth. Here is a story to testify to that.
In little Xenacoj, Guatemala part of our ministry this month is serving meals at a few local schools and loving on the children. In addition to the love and food, our contact also wanted us to go into the classroom and teach. Now I’m all for hanging out with kids on their free time, but during class time? Would the teachers really allow some random gringos to stop in and teach their students? They sure would.
We received the go ahead to do activities with the fourth grade class and all eyes were on me, the main Spanish speaker in a group of three obviously awkward gringos. Thankfully one of my teammates knew a few Spanish songs we could teach so we spent some time singing. Then we played a little of your traditional duck, duck, goose. The activities soon came to an end but we had at least an hour before our contact returned to pick us up. What next?
“Tell them a Bible story,” suggested my teammate.
Spanish is my second language but what could I possible tell them and do so in Spanish? In my own ability I couldn’t remember anything as I was put on the spot. But the Spirit was already at work in that classroom and in my heart. From our previous month on the race I had taught the story of Daniel 3: Meshach, Abednego, Shadrach and King Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. That was the message God chose.
As the story came to an end the children were surprisingly still attentive and interactive. Connecting this message to the salvation we receive from Christ was also easier than I imagined. Before I knew it I had already shared from beginning to end not only an incredible event from the Old Testament but also the most important event from the New Testament: Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross. I continued by asking them questions to see what they knew. They responded with a few spot on answers and then some interesting remarks that coming from children just make you shake your head and smile.
Little by little the Spirit was nagging me to ask a more relevant and important question. Out of all these children, how many of them know Jesus as their Savior? So that was my next question. No hands went up. The Spirit probed further, “Who wants to know and accept Jesus as their Savior?” Two little hands lifted up. Brandon Michael and Irma.
For some reason I hadn’t expected such a beautiful and innocent response. What do I do now?! I’d never been in this situation before. Mind you, prior to the race I’m pretty sure I could count the times I had shared the gospel on my two hands. The Spirit continued to lead me each step of the way as I led (in Spanish) a prayer of repentance, asking for forgiveness, acknowledging Christ as Savior and seeking to follow him in their life.
As soon as the prayer ended the children went back to talking amongst themselves. We sang one last song to celebrate the day and the event that passed. “Adentro, afuera, arriba, abajo que feliz estoy. Porque Cristo me salvó y mi corazón limpió… Adentro, afuera, arriba, abajo que feliz estoy!”
I look back on that moment wondering if what happened was really as significant as some people might think. Did that make a difference in this child’s life? Will they really live out their next days, months and years seeking discernment and direction from Christ? Only God knows. But what I do know is that he used me to plant a seed that months or years down the road another missionary can build off of. And hopefully, sooner rather than later, these children will truly understand the depth of God’s love and the beauty of a relationship with Christ.
