Door to door evangelism is something we have done a lot of in most countries on the Race. It has never been, nor do I think it will ever be something I enjoy doing, but it has certainly taught me A LOT! This last month in Kenya we went out to a local neighborhood all day, 3 days a week. As I said, it has never been my favorite, and this time they split us into pairs – one American and one Kenyan… the pressure was on. Every house we went to I was asked to share a word from God, and most of the time I wasn’t sure God had given me a word. You see, in previous months I have found my role during evngelism is often to intercede. It was not to be this month, and I thank God for that. He had a lot to teach me through my discomfort.
After just the first day out I was feeling discouraged, but as a friend prayed over me the next morning, I was able to see how much of it was an attack to make me feel inadequate. I was able to start praying for boldness and that day I realized how different this ministry looks from house to house. I didn’t have to give a sermon at each house, or even share a Scripture with everyone I met. Sometimes I just felt I should ask them questions about themselves and get to know them, other times I spoke the truth about what I saw in them. Sometimes I just felt the Lord asking me to remind someone they are loved and cherished. The time I felt I should share John 3:16-17, as soon as I finished speaking the woman jumped at the opportunity to receive Christ. I began to learn the power of trusting in what the Lord was saying to me and being bold enough to speak it.
The response of people in these countries is so different than what I would have ever imagined, certainly different than the typical response in the States. In all of these countries people gladly invite us into their homes, bring chairs out for us, and serve us a drink. Many are hungry for the Word of God, but they ALL need to know they are loved. That is the impression that has stayed with me in evey country, that by far the best tool of evangelism is just loving people. Visiting their homes without an agenda and just spending time with them. And that is a lesson I believe can be universally applied. People aren’t always as welcoming to strangers visiting in the U.S. but don’t we still desire people to love us without an agenda? To get to know us for who we are and not what we can do for them? Let’s start living that way with the people we come in contact with wherever we are, whether close friend or stranger. Maybe eventually the way we as Americans flinch when we don’t recognize someone at the door will change, so that we too will welcome in strangers, excited to spend time with them and hear what they have to share.
