Last night I had one of my favourite experiences on my entire race. Possibly of my life and it all happened at a bar.
I was standing around with some other squad mates just talking near the front door. A few tables were scattered around with various patrons; everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as far as I could tell. My first time in a bar was on the race; I’m still figuring out how to handle myself in that environment.
This night was different though God had something in store for me. As we caught up with people about how their day had been and who was all planning on staying later. A young man I’ve never met before noticed me and asked me how long I’ve been growing my beard. It gets mixed reviews and I’ll let you decide for yourself what you think but he liked it a lot!
I told him it’s been about three months, as I’ve been traveling the world for the last nine months. Noticing one empty chair at his table I decided to sit down. We kept taking about life and what we do.
I learned he was from Syria but was more recently living in Dubai. He was in Malaysia on vacation and wanted to go to the UK to study business accounting. The conversation was full of interesting subjects; he had originally said he was going to the UK to try a drug he never had before. I just laughed that off, especially when he assumed I had done drugs being from Canada.
As the conversation progressed he asked me what I was studying. A question I’ve come to love on the Race as I went to Bible School and everyone in Asia wants to know what you studied in school. So I told him I went to bible school, which prompted the following dialogue:
My friend: So are you religious then?
Me: Yes I am a Christian.
My friend: Do you mind if I ask you a question?
Me: Not at all ask anything you want.
My friend: Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God? That he was God?
Me: Yes I do.
My friend: Do you mind if I ask another question, if Jesus was the Son of God why did he die?
At this point I was so excited I could barely contain myself, but I didn’t freak out. I calmly explained the gospel to this man I had met barely 15 minutes earlier. At the beginning of the month my team had gotten together and told each other personal goals. One of mine was to share the gospel with 1 person. I never expected it to happen when ministry time was ‘over’ and we were just hanging out at the bar.
We kept talking about what I can do with my degree and I told him about the good things I’ve done this year. About the homeless men down the street that need food but more than that they need love and friendship. He listened to all I had to say and we chatted for another 15-20 minutes.
He eventually had to go, I said farewell and blessed him as he left my presence. It was one of the greatest moments I’ve experienced in my life. It happened where I never thought it would outside a bar in Malaysia. To my family and friends who are struggling with the fact that I was at a bar to begin with, know that God used me there to speak truth to a man who would never hear it otherwise.
It might not be your preferred place to reach out to the lost but some of the lost will never come to you. Sometimes we need to go out and bring the light into the darkness. Loving people even when they are possibly drunk or high.
I am by no means saying let loose and do whatever you want but I know what God can do with a life surrendered to his cause. He can change a heart of stone to flesh and shine his light through his people, even at the bar.
P.S. Here are a few photos from Malaysia
Hanging out on top of the mountain
A cutie from a local village
Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation
Cassie enjoying the strawberry ‘fields’
