Would you think I was crazy if I told you I fell in love with a man and I don’t know his name? Shoot! If someone would have asked me that question I would have said “yes”! But I did fall in love with a stranger.
We need to rewind to the last ministry day in Haiti. It was a Wednesday afternoon. I had just gotten done running errands to prepare for my team to travel to the Dominican Republic. The clock turned 2:48 and I was out the door making my way to where we taught English Club. Class didn’t start until 3 but I was so excited that I couldn’t wait any longer. I had a feeling that session was going to be instrumental in the lives of our students.
At the beginning of English Club we reviewed the material from the month. The students were asking questions about grammar, definitions then one student asked a question that redirected the entire class. His question was “why do people keep on asking me about my salvation?”.
My heart was pounding out of my chest!
At first I thought I was scared because the question was directed to me because the previous day I asked him about his relationship with God. One thought that ran through my mind was “oh no, I made him upset”. That was when God reminded me that I do not have a fear of man. Therefore, my initial emotion was not scared. Instead I was feeling God prepare me to be His mouthpiece to the students. I was so excited that I stumbled over my first few words.
Side note- before the Race I would have been upset at myself since I messed up on my words, but now I love it. I love it because I was struggling to contain God’s joy, which we should not contain His joy. We need to share it.
I don’t remember what I said exactly, but I do remember looking straight into the man’s eyes who asked the question and saying,
“It’s because I love you so much even though I just met you a few days ago”.
Some of the other students snickered, which is when I turned to the rest of the class and said the same thing to all of them.
The Holy Spirit composed the sentences which explained God changed my heart to love family, friends, and strangers so much that I ask them (sometimes uncomfortable) questions about their faith.
I don’t know when but sometime in the midst of me sharing, the class recognized the seriousness and gravity of the moment. The snickering ceased and the students’ attention was captured.
The Lord moved me to talk about how salvation is a choice, a personal choice and displaying God’s unconditional grace. I noticed in Haiti many people were upset with leadership in the church.
The session went longer than the two hours, but every extra second was worth it. We ended the class by asking if anyone wanted to start a relationship with God, taking lots of pictures and saying our good-byes.
As I walked away, I felt the tears well up in my eyes.
No one accepted the opportunity for salvation. I wanted to run up to the top of our roof and just cry, cry for the students, everyone who doesn’t know Jesus.
But I didn’t.
I told myself that I need to appear and be strong. I regret this because it is incredible when God changes your heart for His lost children and you express the pain you feel. Jesus turned the world’s standard of strong upside down- “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.” Luke 19:41-44
I have not given up on my students’ salvation, and I truly believe God has not given up on them. It’s my prayer that the seeds that were planted from our stay in Haiti will be watered, weeded, and loved by other God fearing people.
To conclude I have two requests for you all:
-Please join me in praying for my beloved students.
-(most important) Please pray that God breaks your heart for what breaks His and gives you the strength and courage to love your family, friends, and strangers so much that you ask them about their relationship with God.
Thank you for reading. I love you all so much!
