I have heard from many alumni World Racers, that everyone has their “one”. The one man, woman, or child that grabs your heart on this journey and shows you exactly why God called you to missions. This is my story of the one, or more accurately, the Juan.
Never have I ever witnessed a transformation in someones heart as I did this month. Being assigned to a high school teacher for the month did not seem like an opportunity to share the gospel. How do you sneak that in in between grammar and pronunciation lessons?
What I discovered was God’s real purpose for me there.
I wasn’t there to preach the gospel form day one. I was there to lay the ground work, to show love, true friendship, and peace to a man fighting more than I’ve ever witnessed.
Day one with Juan we were introduced and he asked, “are you the one I have to work with?”
Ha…Yep thats me.
Needless to say I was hesitant and felt like he would rather not have a shadow for the next three weeks.
In our introductions he learned a little more about me and I him. He was not one to talk for hours so I quickly learned to not drag out unneeded conversation.
One day on our lunch break I asked if he was a Christian. To which he responded, ” I used to be.” Of course this intrigued me and I asked what he meant.
He told me a bit about his past and how he has fond memories of being a Christian as a child, but he is not close with God now. The culture he lives in is one that has condemned him for numerous actions and beliefs, leading to him quitting religion all together.
I thought this may be my chance to share the Lord with him but I didn’t dive in. I told him that God is one of love and acceptance, leaving it at that.
That night I felt like a coward. Juan had told me where he was in his faith and I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to push him closer to God.
A few days later two of my teammates told me they were going to pray with him after school. Instead of joy, I felt frustrated; with myself, with them, with everything. That was supposed to be me. Why didn’t I have it in me to talk to the person I was with 6 hours a day and they did after a 30 min lunch break.
After hearing how it went I knew it needed to happen and I prayed hard for God to show me what I needed to do. At worship that night I asked God for the words to say. What did he want his son to hear? How could I help lead him back to his Father?
All I got was,” Show him love, be his friend, become someone he can trust.”
Although it was not what I expected I knew it was God’s plan.
The next few days I made sure to be intentional with Juan. I let him lead conversation and pressed into things he had questions about.
One afternoon we began talking about his faith. He opened up about everything, his family, his beliefs, what he struggles with when becoming closer to God. He seemed to confused and alone and I knew this was what God made me wait for.
I told Juan he was powerful. That he has God given spiritual gifts made to build the kingdom; that unfortunately have been used against him all this time. I explained how to hear from God and how he can discover how they communicate best.
The relief I saw was beautiful. He had felt alone for so long and now felt understood. He told me he felt closer to God after these conversations than he had in a long time.
We only had a week left in Ecuador and I began to worry it wasn’t enough time to accomplish God’s work with Juan. I prayed for Juan more than I have ever prayed for anyone. I had a sense of urgency and was constantly asking God what I needed to do or say. After seeking counsel from my squad leader, I realized it isn’t about what I do or say, because it isn’t me doing any of this; it was God! I don’t need to prepare the perfect speech to convince Juan to accept God into his life. God is already working in his heart, I am just there to be a vessel for God to work through.
As the week continued Juan spent time with my team and squad every night. I saw so many of my friends pour into a man they just met. Each had a way of relating to him in a different way, making him feel more love and understood with each conversation. We showed him what it was like to live in a community that loves and accepts each other, knowing they are loved by their Father as well.
One night he said he was ready to accept God into his life and let go of the darkness that has haunted him for so long. My squad leader, Myles asked me to take part in walking him through this, and I knew I had to say yes. I had no idea what this would look like. Juan had a long past of demonic experiences and I had never dealt with anything like that before.
Myles, Juan, and I sat down and we started asking Juan about what he felt like was inside of him. He could put a number and names to the demonic beings taking over his body and life, and Myles walked him through commanding those out of him. I was holding Juan’s hand and I could see how much pain and distress he was in. I became scared and wanted to run away, but I knew that wasn’t an option. I needed to be there for him. In one of his hardest times, finishing this last part of the walk back to his Father. After releasing everything that had been haunting him for years, he asked the Holy Spirit to fill him completely, to protect him and shut out all the demonic spirits he was battling.
Bear with me, I know this may sound odd. Before that night I had never witnessed or even believed in anything like this. I didn’t know what to make of it, but I also couldn’t ignore what I just witnessed. I don’t want anyone reading to picture an exorcism from the movies and think we were screaming at a demon to leave Juan. It truly was just a conversation to label what was inside of him and take authority over it.
One thing I learned for certain, was the power of taking authority over yourself. Not letting something else overpower the Holy Spirit that God put in each and every one of us. Whether that is a demonic spirit, and negative thought, or a variety of doubts that run through your mind. You have authority over your heart and mind and you can remove all the negative influences out of yourself.
Afterwards, Juan said he felt lighter and more at peace than he had in years. We discussed the next steps and how he needed to find a good community that can continue to pour into him and disciple him in his spiritual life. We empowered him to use his spiritual gifts and not fear that it will do harm to him or others.
The next day we had to leave Ecuador; although saying goodbye to Juan was my hardest goodbye yet, I knew he was ok. I knew he had made it back to his Father., that he had accepted him into his heart and God was now working through Juan and not my squad.
This month I not only learned the power of peace and patience, but also what it means to trust God. Looking back, God had a beautiful plan the entire time. From day one he placed me with Juan so a friendship could be built. So Juan could begin to feel accepted as he was and not someone who was condemned. This wasn’t a process that needed to be done in a week, which is why God allowed it to take all month. The fact that Juan accepted God into his life the last night we were in Ecuador was no mistake.
I challenge myself and everyone else to learn how to trust God. In His timing, in His power, and most importantly in the path He has put you on. It may not make sense and you may not see the ministry opportunity in front of you. It may take a month to come to fruition, but trust in it. Know and believe that God has put you where you are for a reason, all you have to do is figure out the why and act upon it!
I will never forget Juan or the journey I was blessed to witness. I asked God for more and He showed up. We have a good good Father who relentlessly pursues each of His beloved children and I am forever thankful for that.
