I wasn’t excited to be setting out into the heat to explore yet another neighborhood in La Vega. I, honestly, was ready for a nap and a good movie. Just an afternoon to not think about anything and forget I was in the Dominican Republic. But God had other plans for me.
The streets were littered with mud and trash, and the small shack like buildings around looked more like broken down sheds than homes that contained extended families and the lives of a community. I was ready for this to be another prayer walk through a community that already knew Jesus and just wanted us to pray for health and prosperity. But God was reshaping my heart for the Dominicans.
The first house we came to could hardly be considered a house. It was simply four ramshackle walls placed on a small, rocky patch of dirt. The broken down chairs outside contained a couple that greeted us warmly and had the air of grace around them. My team began talking with the couple and we found out that they were the only Christians in this small community. The woman glowed with the love and truth of Christ. She wept as we prayed over her house and for her life to be a testimony to her community. She was the only Christian in the area, but God was going to change that.
The next house we came to was the brightest of oranges, and the cement walls and floor gave a sense of security to the house. All that the first house was lacking in structural integrity was there, but it lacked the peace and strength of Christ that the first house exuded. But with one small conversation, God was going to change the atmosphere of the house.
My teammate Tanner started to talk to the woman who owned the house and we found out that she didn’t have a relationship with Christ. Earlier she had prayed to God to do something about the pain in her back, then our team walked by outside on the way to the first house, and her pain went away. The mere fact that we walked by allowed healing to take place, and it was that very event that God used to point this woman to Him and cross the threshold into a relationship with Him. We were electrified walking away from that experience, but God wasn’t done working miracles that day.
The next house we went to had children running around everywhere outside. Broken toys littered the muddy yard, and a feeling of exhaustion seemed to rule the house. Tanner is amazing at talking to people at the drop of a hat. He has a way with words and truth that I could only hope to have some day. As we approached the house he stated that he felt like he was supposed to take a step back and have someone else lead. The normal stares went through the group, each person hoping that he was talking about someone else. I knew God was nudging me forward.
Stepping up to talk to a stranger about Jesus is scary enough; now imagine knocking on their door and sharing the Gospel with them on the spot. I automatically assumed that God would just have me pray a nice prayer for this mom of 8 and move on. But He had bigger plans than that for me.
I have never led anyone to Christ before. I have always loved discipleship far more than evangelism. But in that moment all I could do was pray that the Holy Spirit would give me the words to say. And when you ask, the Holy Spirit never ceases to show up. The words about Jesus, love, and forgiveness started flowing out of my mouth and by the end of my ramblings this precious woman was accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior. But God wasn’t done with this family.
My teammate, Christian, was outside in the yard talking with a man on the street as I was leading this woman to Christ. This man just so happened to be the woman’s husband. A conversation started about Jesus and not more than five minutes later this man was accepting Christ into his heart. This family of 10 will be forever changed by our one chance meeting with them. A marriage will be renewed because God showed up.
We started the day talking to the only Christians in the neighborhood, and walked away 45 minutes later with 3 new followers. I’m sure heaven was as excited as we were in that moment.
I’ve realized over the month that God loves to show up and show off. When we are obedient God loves to use us. The moment that we are obedient is when God will blow our minds and have us welcome a new sister into the kingdom. I have learned a lot this month, but I know this is just the beginning of a mind-blowing journey with God.
