Interesting fact: Christians in Nepal have church on Saturday.
Our Resurrection Sunday service was held the day before on Saturday. The service was pretty normal. Nothing special. Except worship. There were quite a few people slain in the spirit on this particular Saturday. There was a tall young woman I noticed who seemed intrigued by the worship and seemed to pay close attention to the Resurrection story.
When the service was over, one of the men of the church approached our group. He informed us that this young woman was here today because she wanted to know more about Jesus. She has been suffering through panic attacks and thought she might be ready to commit her life to God. One of the team leaders suggested it be a woman to share. I immediately turned my head and averted my eyes. I did NOT want to be the one who spoke to this woman one-on-one with all these people standing around. I heard one of the other women from the team say she would “if no one else wanted to.” Yes! Then I hear Harris say, “I think Steph should do it. Are you okay with that?” UHHH!
I was so scared.
I hadn’t ever done this before.
As I sat on the ground across from this young lady and our interpreter, I could feel all my fellow Racers come around us. My heart rate went up and I could feel myself get hot. I was freaking out in my mind!
I calmly asked the girl if she had any questions. She began by telling me that she keeps having panic attacks. I heard a voice say “Just speak truth.” The funny thing is I just had a panic attack of my own the night before. I looked her in the eyes and asked if her chest felt heavy and scared during these moments. Her eyes widened as she said it was so. I was able to tell her that I knew exactly how she felt because I had my own attack the night before. She got teary-eyed as I told her that I believed God allowed that to happen to me just that night so I would know exactly how she was feeling today.
We found out that her friend is a believer and stayed with her through the night to comfort her with prayer. She brought her to church this day to receive more prayer. I explained to this young woman that in moments when I feel scared, I cry out to God and remember that His Word says He will never leave and that He hasn’t given me a spirit of fear. When I do this, I feel His Spirit fill me with peace. I explained to her that Jesus never told us that this life would be perfect. When we accept His gift, it doesn’t mean we will never feel that way again. But He promised to send the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit.
I asked if she knew who Jesus is and what He did for us. Yes, she had. “What is keeping you from accepting His gift of comfort and eternal life?” Her response that there wasn’t anything, she was ready to accept now.
God, I’ve never done this. I’ve never led anyone in a prayer of salvation. I don’t know what to do!
For the first time in my life, I felt like I had the choice of choosing between religion and true relationship with God. I could get mixed up with the “right way” things should be done… Or I could just speak truth and leave the rest to God.
I walked this girl through the gospel and Biblical truths of what Jesus had done. When I was sure she knew the full meaning of Christ’s gift, I led her in a prayer. The prayer consisted of thanking God for sending His Son and intentionally, verbally accepting the gift of salvation.
She was crying by the time we were done and wouldn’t quit hugging and thanking me. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like it before. When we got home it hit me hard: I just helped save someone’s life for eternity.
I felt these 2 words flow all around me:
Well done.
