Sunday, July 28 – approximately 9:30 p.m.
I walk to my car parked in a deserted street in Cambridge. As I'm getting in I notice a guy walking by. I plug in my phone into the charger. As I turn on the ignition I look in my rearview mirror only to see the same guy walking back, towards my car. I quickly lock the doors. The guy approaches my car and taps on the passenger's window.
It's amazing how many thoughts go through your mind in a short span of seconds. "If this is my time, then take me Lord." is the one that stuck.
I crack open an inch. "Can I ask you a question?" He says. I nod. His mouth opens and the words, "If someone told you, you only had 6 months to live…What would you do?"
My first instinct is to drive away, fast. But, I'm not afraid. So I say it.
"I would tell everyone about Jesus".
He doesn't skip a beat, "I only have six months to live".
I can't tell if he's lying. It's so dark I can't make out his face entirely. Then I realize if something bad were to happen I wouldn't be able to give the police a proper description. But still, I'm not afraid.
"Well, have you found Jesus?" I ask. "Yes, I have Jesus" is his response.
Tuesday, August 6 – approximately 8:00 p.m.
I'm sitting on the dock taking pictures of the sunset over the Charles River. The city is behind me. Its reflection sprawled across the river in all kinds of crazy colors. I'm looking for something instagram worthy when out of nowhere I spot a man on a canoe.
I immediately recognize the man. I remember reading about a guy living in a canoe around the harbor in the dead of winter. I remember his name, Michael. I remember this because I posted the article to a friend's timeline whose name is also Michael, who also lives on a boat, and I got a lot of likes from his friends and I felt wicked cool.
So I shamelessly point my camera to the man in the canoe and take a picture. He waves. I smile.
I quickly open Safari and start a web search for the article while simultaneously trying to pick out the best filter for the picture, and while also trying to come up with a witty hashtag. Before I can even crop the picture, man on the boat pulls up next to me. I say "Hi".
I ask if he lives in the canoe and if he was on the news earlier in the year. He says no.
We start the proper exchange: Whereya from; Where d'ya live; What'reya doing; H'about the weather; How old areya; Whatschya name..
Ana, I say. Michael, he says.
Yup. Confirmed. I'm never wrong when I recognize someone, specially not by name.
"What's your thing? What's your passion?", he asks. "Jesus" I say and I tell him about the Race. I tell him where we're going and what we're doing.
He shares with me his passion: "reformation of the public school system". He even has a sheet of paper with his ideas numbered from 1 to 10, how and why. I'm impressed.
We talk for about an hour.
"Well, here's your chance to get a head start on your missionary work. I have this kink on my back. It really hurts and I can't sleep", he explains.
I'm intrigued. "Okay. Do you want me to pray for you?"
"No!" he shouts. "I need money or a massage."
Is this guy for real? I think. "Since I'm a missionary, I have no money. And I'm not good with massages. But I'll pray for you on my own."
He goes on, "It's always the same. You have a beautiful smile but nothing to give. I need a job, or money. I don't need prayer. Your Jesus can't do anything for me. You think people in Africa need prayer? They need food and water and money. No one needs your prayers."
I feel paralyzed, so I just listen.
"Just promise me, if you find people with faith, you won't take it away from them just because their faith isn't the same as yours"
I don't want to agree, but I nod. He canoes away. I feel powerless.
And then he shouts "There aren't many faces like yours. You have a kind face and smile. That's hard to come by."
And with those words, I knew something had happened. I wasn't powerless at all. I might've not known the right words, the correct scripture, nor how to handle the situation. But one thing I was sure of, it wasn't my face he was seeing. It was someone else's.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:14-21)
I need your prayers.
This isn't the first and last time I will be challenged this way. I, myself, am praying that God continues to use me in any way He sees fit. But I need you all to cover me with your prayers.
I have "put on the whole armor of God, so that I may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Join me in this battle by praying for my squad and I.
It is clear our Race has already started.
-A
