We sat on their corner and waited. Four o’clock came and went with no sign of them. Maybe they’re just late. Maybe they wanted to make sure we’d actually show up before they committed; after all, no one likes to be stood up. Fifteen more minutes passed before I accepted the realization that they weren’t coming. This doesn’t make sense; how could 6 guys willingly, of their own accord, come to church 3 nights in a row and yet not show up for a soccer game? They obviously like soccer because at least one of them had a soccer jersey on at all times. Plus they eagerly accepted our invitation last night. What changed? Where the heck are they? With a heavy sigh I got back in the truck and we left in search of a game to join. I soon found myself running up and down the field, but it wasn’t fun. This was supposed to go differently.
Today, as we trudged through a different barrio on the outskirts of Ocotal making house visits, I once again found myself struggling to feel engaged. The language barrier is the most frustrating to me during our evangelistic trips through the communities. I can’t say what I want to, and I can’t understand what anyone says to me. But as we descended a gradually-sloping dirt road, I got excited. Up ahead was a group of guys sitting along the side of the road. Maybe this group will be as receptive as the group last week. Maybe we’ll get even further with them. Here we go…
Although they were only mildly receptive, our time with them felt worthwhile. I gave my testimony, highlighting the points which I felt they would most identify with, and Dan gave a brief salvation message. We told them about this evening’s church service and invited them to come. At the very least we had just given them some tracts and planted a few seeds. I walked away feeling encouraged. After a few more house visits we began walking back towards our host’s house for lunch. On the way back we once again crossed paths with the guys. This time there were a few more of them, one of which was in a wheelchair. The one who had been the most talkative earlier in the day quickly identified the handicapped guy as his brother. We again invited them to church tonight and some of them half-heartedly said they would come. “Please God, bring them to church tonight!”
August is home to a Catholic celebration in Nicaragua. Each city is given some aspect of the religion to celebrate; Ocotal, I believe, is celebrating the donkey that Mary rode on, but I’m not positive of that. What I do know is that Tona, a Nicaraguan beer, is the main sponsor of this month’s festivities. The parades and loud music go on all day and last until the wee hours of the morning. This afternoon the streets were at full tilt as we tried to make our way through the masses for dinner and then church. As we moved down the crowded sidewalk, who do we come across but our new friend and his handicapped brother. This must be a sign! They’ve apparently been enjoying the parade and it’s sponsor’s product a bit, but they once again greeted us and said they would come to church an hour and a half from now. Get some coffee fellas…
Church was delayed a bit tonight because of the rain, which is a real hindrance when 100% of the congregation comes on foot by way of dirt roads. But the service was about to begin and our new friend was no where to be found.
“C’mon God, where is he? Are we really going to go through this again? Ah, there he is! Sweet! Oh man, he’s pretty drunk. Lord, I pray that you sober him up so that he can pay attention. Please speak to him tonight Lord. Please….WAIT! Where’s he going?! He leaving?! What the heck!!”
He stayed in church for all of 5 minutes before he left, which was just enough time for me to go from pumped to crushed. This was worse than the other guys not showing up for soccer. Before I could welcome him, before I could even figure out what his name was, he was gone. I had such high hopes, but he didn’t hang around long enough to fulfill any of them. And that’s when I got it. I’m convinced that God kinda chuckled at this point and said “See, now you know how I feel.”
“Hey, how are you?! I’m really glad you came this morning! I was wondering if you’d really make it up in time for church today since you closed down the bar last night,. It’s a beautiful Easter morning, isn’t it? After the Christmas Eve service I was really hoping that you’d come back and talk to me sooner than this. Wait, where are you going?! Yes, the service is over, but I have more for you! There’s more: more I want to show you, to tell you, to share with you! Don’t leave yet! Don’t leave! Ugh. OK, I’ll wait here for you to come back at Christmas.”
It was so frustrating to have him come to church tonight, only to leave before it started. There are plenty of excuses for those of you who aren’t attending church regularly: I’m just not very religious; I don’t have time; it’s my only day to sleep in; I don’t want to lose that time with my kids; I’ll go when I get older, etc. And you can talk yourself into believing that you’re justified in your excuse, but that’s really all it is, an excuse. God is waiting for you, wanting a personal relationship with YOU. He won’t force himself on you and He won’t approach you first, but He will wait for you. He will wait as long as it takes and will present himself throughout your life, giving you countless opportunities to place your trust in Him. But once your days on the Earth are numbered, so are your chances at salvation.
The guy left church tonight, but only for a moment. Then he came back in and stayed for the entire message. I pray that you will too.
