Today was a very special day for the Blue team. Our last scheduled day of ministry to close out the year together. Our choices were one of the following. Play with street kids, clean in a clinic, street evangelize, help build a fence for a family or go to an elderly couples house and just be with them. After praying as a team we all felt led to go to the elderly couple’s house.
Virgil; who was our translator; told us that we should be prepared to be uncomfortable in the setting we were about to experience. The town was just outside downtown Jeffrey’s Bay and was the poorest part of the town. The elderly couple was in their 80’s and living in a house about 10’ by 10’.
When we arrived in the slum we met Elliot. To our surprise Elliot’s wife was taken to a neighboring town to be with their children because of the very poor condition of the house. Part of the roof was missing and during the rain storms a funnel of water would stream into the house soaking all of the furniture.
As we entered the house there was a heavy stench from all of the wet furniture. Chad sat next to Elliot on the bed and Sarah, Cathy, Casey & Virgil crammed on the wet couch. Our main purpose in visiting Virgil was just to pour out love on Elliot. He was a man in need and felt alone in the world. We knew that the Lord wanted us to just be there with him.
Through our conversations we began to ask Elliot if there was anything that we could pray for in his life. He began to tell us about his wife’s health and that she was not doing so well. Chad then began to ask if Elliot had a relationship with Jesus. Elliot said that he used to go to an Apostolic church but really didn’t pray anymore. We then shared the gospel with Elliot and asked if Elliot would like to accept Jesus into his heart. Elliot gladly accepted.
As we began to pray the sinner’s prayer, the Holy Spirit took complete control of Elliot’s heart. There was a calm feeling in the house and we all praised God together as tears began to stream down Elliot’s face. Elliot was awestruck by what the Lord had done for Him this very day and couldn’t believe that the Lord loved him that much. We all sat around praying and just thanking God for this beautiful miracle that we were witnessing firsthand.
After loving on Elliot we were able to meet some of his physical needs. We got some more fuel for his heater and got him enough food to last a week or two. We also get to do one greater and that is to sponsor him for a new roof. Praise God.
God Bless Elliot.
