Over 500 conversations, 16 healings and 25+ salvations.. THAT was South Africa.
Wow.. where do I even begin? Last month in South Africa changed my life. Going into it, and going into the race, evangelism was my biggest fear. I had a story but I was so afraid of telling it. I knew about God and had so much love for Him, but I didn’t share that. And the worst part was that I had no excuse.
South Africa is the most wealthy country in the world (mineral wise). There are so many job opportunities and therefore people from all over the continent of Africa flee down south for employment. But, they have no income so they cannot afford housing. That’s what a squatter camp is for. It’s a place for unemployed families to find shelter until they get a job and have steady income. Millions of people live in these camps. They’re filthy, full of dirt, sewage, and housing made of all sorts of trash and metal. Definitely not a place you want your kids to grow up.
This was our ministry placement for the month of October. My team and I went into these camps 4 days a week, all day, to build relationships with the people who live there. Basically, we would walk around, get to know people, tell them our stories and have them share theirs while somehow pointing our conversations to Jesus in the process.
On the first day, I didn’t say a word. I watched as the interns and translators talked to various people. They did it so naturally, so easily. I remember feeling jealous, like I wish I had that gift. After watching the first conversation on the very first day of ministry, the man we met accepted Christ. I was in awe. That was the first time i have ever seen that take place in person. Immediately, I felt the responsibility of what we walked into this month. This is what they want us to do.. bring people to Jesus. The most important job as a Christian. I’ve never done this before, where and how do I start? I kept asking myself that, question, but I never found an answer.
So, I just started. I jumped right into it. (Which isn’t surprising, I naturally jump head first into hard things). About a week later I was leading conversations on my own, telling my testimony, reading scripture that was on my heart, and talking about Jesus with everyone I met. I surprised myself, honestly, with how well I was doing. It suddenly became so easy to me, I felt like I’ve been doing it all my life and in reality, I wondered why I never actually have done it all my life. Once again, I had no excuse.
Soon enough, I found myself leading my first person to Christ! I was so happy that my teammates John and Christian were there to witness it as well. (They cheered me on afterwards, it was so sweet!!)
On the last day of ministry, during my quiet time, I asked the Lord, “lead me today”. It was our last day, I wanted something BIG to happen. I asked Him to open up doors for conversations to share the gospel. Once we got into the squatter camp we split up into teams and claimed a “street”. We began walking down the street attempting to talk to people and my team got 4 rejections in a row. No one wanted to chat. Not a sign for a good day.. Our translator then said he wanted to follow-up with someone he met the previous day, so we began walking to her house. While walking, I looked to my left and saw 4 guys playing a game at their house. I said hello, they said hello back and seemed pretty friendly and receptive. I then heard the Lord say, “go to them”. My team did not want to go, but I chose to anyways. The spirit so clearly spoke to me and I had no idea what I was walking into, but I went to them. I had to obey.
We sat and talked with the 4 guys for a while. Got to know who they were, where they are from, how they got here, etc. Just forming a relationship between us. I kept waiting and waiting for God to open up an opportunity to share the gospel. And He did. Prince, one of the guys, randomly asked in the middle of a conversation, “How do you pray effectively?” BAM. That was God opening the door. We were literally talking about our families when he suddenly asked this question. My teammate and I began explaining to him that effective prayer only comes through a relationship with Christ. He listened so intently and asked so many questions. I could tell where this was all going, and I was hoping I was right. We kept talking, answering his questions, reading scripture and telling our testimonies. After two hours of conversation, I told him that he could have a relationship with Jesus, too. It’s not only for me, anyone in the world could have that relationship. The Lord is literally waiting for you, all you have to do is say yes. After a little while, he finally accepted the invitation. I held hands with him and asked him to repeat after me. “Jesus, I love you. I understand that you died on the cross for me. I understand that I am a sinner. I ask for forgiveness. I trust You. I want to pursue You for the rest of my life. Amen. “ And that’s when I suddenly had a new brother in Christ. He teared up, not knowing what to say. I asked, “Prince, how do you feel? What are you thinking?” And he said, “I feel different. I want to tell everyone how I feel.” … wow. The Holy Spirit was now so evidently in him. His life changed, right then and there. And I was a part of it.
After South Africa, I finally felt the weight I was holding as a Christian. I have the responsibility of expanding the Kingdom. I claim to know and love Christ, so I must prove that by making Him known. And trust me, when you know the God I know, there is nothing you want more than to let everyone experience it.
We all have a story to tell. We have a testimony. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. As Christians, we have the responsibility of sharing that but we choose not to simply because we are scared. Scared of speaking in front of people, scared of vulnerability or what others might think of you.. we can’t be that selfish. We just can’t. Your story can change someone’s life around. Your testimony could be the one thing someone needs to hear in order to turn to Christ. If we don’t share it, who will? It breaks my heart knowing there are people out there who do not know Jesus. They have literally never heard of His name and that is 100%, absolutely, NOT their fault. It is ours. We need to find them, reach them, and become our boldest self in sharing our hearts and the gospel. If you pass up an opportunity to testify, I 100% believe that God will bring someone else to this person who is much bolder than you are. But in the process, you missed an incredible experience of sharing the most important news in the world to someone. You missed out on the blessing God will give you from obeying Him. You missed out on the personal growth you will experience because your faith is being strengthened in the process.
If you claim to love and know Christ, please, stand up and share that.
