Three completely unrelated things? Nay. One thing I love about the Lord is that he uses any means possible for his truth to be revealed and for his gospel to go forth.
After many afternoons of handing out tracks at the market, we were sure that going to the “Industrial Park” meant doing something quite similar. We pulled up to a furniture store and were invited in. The store was large with many different looking couch sets, tables and lamps. We were instructed to take a seat. We weren’t entirely sure what was going on. Then they closed down the entire store. The owner came to share her testimony of how she came to know the Lord and asked us to share the gospel with all 20 of her workers. I was a bit taken back only because I cannot recall any major business in America that would actually shut down their stores so that the gospel could be shared.
We then launched into a two hour session of sharing testimonies, praying for specific burdens on these workers hearts and eating crackers. It was amazing to me how these people opened up to us. We got into some intense subjects, but ultimately were able to share with clarity the truth of what Christ did for them. I was thankful for this afternoon in particular because I love relational ministry. It is so much more meaningful to me to sit down with someone and pray one on one with them than to just pass by quickly and pray for something generic.
Last night, we had the opportunity to do street ministry with some local gangs. While waiting to go out, we met a group of boys who couldn’t have been much older than 10 years old. They were a “gang” with their symbol etched in the skin on their wrist. We invited them to the area we were going to go do ministry and they told us even they don’t like to go to this area because it was too dangerous. But they followed us there anyhow! We ended up going to the center of their small town. About 50 people followed us into town and we were able to share the gospel with them as well. We also did some silly skits and they were roaring with laughter!
Even though my spanish is limited, I had a great conversation with a group of four girls. And they asked me to sing for them the Titanic song. I’m not sure how, but rumor has spread quickly that I can sing, and that I can sing the theme song from Titanic. When placed in front of 50 or so gang members, I asked them who knew the movie Titanic and if they liked Celine Dion. I got a resouding “YES!” I don’t know exactly how the Lord works all the time. But I am a firm believer that he is using the song, “My heart will go on and on” for his glory in this country! After I belted a little Celine, it opened up an opportunity to share a song with them about the Lord and his desire to know them personally. It was truly a special time for me. And it was also a good reminder that I need to learn the words to the Titanic song as I have been asked to sing that song several times a day. I say, whatever the Lord can use for his glory, I am there.
