I’m sitting
on the boat taking splashes to my face, enjoying the beautiful sun, the calm
sea, and the cool breeze against my body.
I’ve had a great day of snorkeling and relaxing, a $15/day
excursion. Amazing, but something
was missing. I look around the boat, and realize “I haven’t talked to the other tourists on this boat yet. Why not? Okay God, lets do this.” I leaned over to a
tourist next to me and asked him how him and his friends were doing. The others on the boat weren’t his
friends…
“By
yourself? Cool, How come? Where
are you from?” -I ask
“Taiwan. I came here out on vacation.” -Howard (smiles really big)
“How old are
you?” -Noe
“I’m 28” -Howard (again, smiling really big)
“Ahhh,
sweet, me too! So what do you do
Howard?” -Noe
(at this point we talk a little sports, tv, and really just smile and laugh. We’re really enjoying the boat ride back to the shore and our new friendship)
“I work
Taiwan in Marketing” -Howard (I forget exactly what he said)
“That’s
great man. Well these other 12
people are my friends. We’re here in Cambodia volunteering with Churches and
Ministries to share Jesus’ love.
Are you a Christian or have you heard of that?” -Noe
“Christian,
oh yeah. My parents are that. I been church before. But I no Christian. I searching a little. I see what I believe.” -Howard
“Oh, that’s good man. Do you have any
questions about Jesus or Christianity? Ooh, let me show you this book I have.” -Noe
I put my
hand in my murse (man purse-a necessity on this race) and show him a Philip
Yancey book I’m reading. I flip
through it but because of the language barrier we’re unable to use this as a
connection. But he smiles and
likes my gesture. I sit
there and pray in my spirit, “Lord, how can I share you with him in the last 5
minutes of this boat ride?” I tell
him how the Lord is truth, joy, and love.
I smile as big as I can as I share the Lord. Howard’s really open.
As we stand together on the sandy beach shore, he tells me…
“I’m
open. I will look more into what
you have said.” -Howard (smiling really big, knowing he wants to have this joy in him. How do I know, because that’s what he told me…”I see you really happy.”…I respond, “I am. It’s the joy of knowing God, Howard, He makes me happy. He can make you happy too.” Now I’m smiling real big!
I was so
grateful to the Lord for meeting Howard. My spirit jumped at his response, his joyful acceptance of our conversation, of our snorkling friendship. We were two young men, single, traveling, and talking about
the hope of God. PRAISE God!!!
