I believe…

In the spring of 2007, I went on my first mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico. God did so much on that trip, but one event in particular impacted me greatly.

 

It was day 4 on the trip. My team and I went out to a bad part of town to do an outreach. This area is known for its gang violence and drug use, even in kids as young as 8 or 9. As we began to set up peoples curiosity got the best of them and they began to come out of their homes and stores to see what all the activity was about.

 

After we worshiped, did a couple of dramas, and a testimony was shared, we all spread out to pray for people and share God’s word with them. This part always made me nervous because I couldn’t speak Spanish. I tried to be useful by praying for team mates and their encounters, when a big crowd of about 15 teenagers caught my eye. In the center were three of my team mates, trying best they could to share the gospel with them. As I watched, one of our guides came up to me and told me they were gang members. Many were addicted to drugs and the people in the area were pretty afraid of them.

 

As my friends shared the gospel with them in Spanish I watched the responses of the teenagers. Not understanding very much Spanish, I didn’t know exactly what was said, but the laughter and mocking tones of the gang said it all. Right there my heart broke and I started crying. Didn’t they understand how important this was? Didn’t they understand there’s a sense of urgency here? This isn’t a game or a joke! This is life or death!

 

A small group of my team and I prayed for them and for me, and when we were through I looked back at the group, still mocking my other team mates. That moment Matthew 28:19 meant more to me than ever before. “Go and make disciples of all the nations…” That moment I was done being reserved. I was done being timid. God asks us to be bold in our faith, and I believe boldness is the only way to win people to his kingdom. Later that night I learned that four of those gang members did chose to accept Christ. I pray that those four still know Him and are being bold. The influence they had as gang members paired with the boldness and strength of Christ will win people for His kingdom.