“Tell him about me.”
“Wait, me? I can’t do that.”
“You said you wanted to live a better story didn’t you? You desire to be bolder don’t you?”
“Yes, but how do I even start?”
“Ask him about his daughter.”
“What? What if he doesn’t have a daughter? I’ll look like a fool?”
“So, what if you do? She’s sick. Ask him about her.”
Several minutes prior to this conversation, me and two of my teammates hopped into a tuk tuk (a really cool taxi) and started the ride home. As soon as I sat down I felt the urge to pray for the driver. I had no idea why, but gladly did.
Over the last month I’ve had this overwhelming desire to tell people about Jesus. Every morning I pray for boldness and an opportunity to do so.
I was inspired by those in the early church whom immediately after some of them were released from prison and further threatened for sharing about Jesus, they surprisingly prayed “and now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). They could have prayed for anything-safety or wisdom-yet, they prayed for the boldness to continue to proclaim the love of God in the midst of persecution. Pretty incredible stuff.
As I started praying for the tuk tuk driver,I felt this tug on my heart that said “tell him about me.” I doubted at first that this was really God, but the Holy Spirit quickly showed me that in fact a prayer was being answered. So, as we exited the tuk tuk, I took a deep breath and slowly walked up to the driver.
“Hi,” I said nervously. “Do you have a daughter?”
With an odd look on his face he said “yes.”
“Is she sick?” I asked hesitantly.
“Do you know her?!” He said shocked.
I shook my head, “No, I don’t. Is your daughter sick?”
“Yes. She has been for two months.” ”He then described her illness as being similar to a really bad cold.
“Has she seen a doctor? What does the doctor say?”
“I don’t how to say it in English.”
“Well, we are Christian missionaries and are in Cambodia to show people the love of Jesus Christ. Have you heard of him?”
He shook his head and replied “yes, yes. I have heard a little of him.”
“We believe that Jesus came to earth so that we would be forgiven of our wrongdoings, live forever in peace and joy with God, and show us how to live a life of freedom and purpose here on earth. He died for our wrong doings and was risen from the dead so that we can have a relationship with God. We believe that we can talk to Jesus and he can heal us. He is the one who told me that you had a daughter that was sick. He told me to pray for her because He wants to make her better. What is her name?”
“Rema.”
“I believe Jesus wants to heal her right now. Can we pray for Rema and your family?”
“Yes, please,” he said quickly.
So, I prayed with more confidence than I ever had. I asked Jesus to heal Rema in that moment and that when her dad came home she would be fully better. I asked God to provide for all of their material needs, that they would want for nothing. I prayed that through this healing their family would come to know God and all the love He desires to pour out on them.
When I opened my eyes, the expression on his face was so peaceful. He thanked me with a big smile. As I turned to walk away I began to shake and cry. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. God used me to speak words of hope and love to someone. I had the utmost confidence that he answered my prayer and that Rema is no longer sick. I tried my best to imagine her dad’s response when he returned home and found his little girl fully healed…simply because Jesus loves them.
This experience made me think about God’s pursuit of us. I still can’t quite understand the magnitude of God’s love for me, but moments like this help me to get it just a little bit more. I mean on some level, God literally called me to leave my job, home, family, and friends just to tell this man about Jesus through healing his daughter. Of course, I know that God could have used anyone or any way to do this, but He chose me to be a part of it.
It makes me think about all the ways He pursued me throughout my life. All the people and circumstances He used to get my attention and to see my deep need for Him. All the ways He responded to my doubt, fears, and confusion. All the ways He just wanted me to truly hear and accept the truth: He loves me.
Now, 4 years into my life with Jesus and I’m finally getting just how wonderful, good, and loving God is. The only response I can think of is to tell others about Him. To try and open others’ eyes to God’s unique and endless pursuit of them. To give them a chance to receive the greatest gift of all.
MAKE A DONATION: I still need $2,845 to cover the cost for this trip. If you are able to support me financially, click “SUPPORT ME” on the left to make a tax-deductible donation. Or, cut out the small online processing fee by mailing a check to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Checks should be made out to “Adventures in Missions”
***Put “PERKINSSHATERIKA” in the memo line of the check!!!!!***
