(photos to accompany this blog can be found on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/zach.murphy.5682/media_set?set=a.10153020290419300.1073741856.527984299&type=1&pnref=story .)
One of my goals on the race is to personally share the redemptive hope and joy found in Jesus Christ with at least 1 single person in each country. Being an evangelical Christian missions trip, that would seem to be quite obvious and easily obtainable. And in some of the ministries you partner with, it probably will be, but in others ministry can be focused on supporting missionaries that are on the field and doing work projects or sharing with groups or working with children. All really good, productive things, but I think it is a good challenge and something each one of us racers should be earnestly praying for and be seeking those opportunities to evangelize.
As the end of last month was approaching, I was looking back on my month and really shocked that I couldn’t look back on a single conversation that could have drastically changed someone’s eternal dwelling. I had taught lots of kids English and bible stories and memory verse and done manual labor and had preached in church, but hadn’t had that personal conversation yet. So I prayed about it and I really believe God gave me a divine meeting the next day.
Our last day of ministry in Peru involved a beach baptism for some of our squad mates as well as a time of worship and hanging out with the youth from the church jumping in the waves and playing soccer. As we were worshiping on the beach, I was observing, in awe of the vast ocean and thankful for the community God had given me for the year. Suddenly, in the distance I see a man walking down the path and past our group. He stuck out to me so clearly in his all white attire, leather sandals, beach swept hair, and bright turquoise man satchel. At first glance seeing him just so casually stroll down the beach with no real apparent agenda, you might mistake him to have the appearance of an angel. Either way, as he walked by I knew I had the perfect opportunity to discuss what we were doing here, worshiping God and doing a baptism. Of course, another challenge for personal evangelism is always the language barrier. But as soon as I began to speak to him, his response gave away his understanding of English. Though not perfect, he spoke primarily French and Spanish, his English was enough for us to have a conversation.
So after a few brief acknowledgements, I ask, “So, what is it you do here in Huaratumo?” He simply responds, “ Oh, I am a witch.” Instantly I knew this conversation was spiritual, divinely planned, and an answer to my prayer. First of all I never have spoken to someone who just comes out and says “I am a witch.” Its usually not their primary profession, and if it is I wouldn’t expect someone to just come right out and say it. But he did. I also knew it meant that he was very spiritually sensitive and I was really excited to talk.
We talked for half an hour on the beach. He had some very different beliefs; beliefs of reincarnation and connecting to past souls and a life of being enslaved by these past spirits, doing their bidding. He also mentioned that his spirit connects directly with John the Baptist. Another very interesting connecting point since right there behind us we were doing baptisms in the sea. Our conversation led to why these people were being baptized as a symbol of their rebirth and a life of not being enslaved to sin. I also spoke of the freedom Christ gave him and that he does not need to be enslaved by these spirits or an endless cycle of lives. He is loved by the creator of the universe who desires an eternal relationship with him. I prayed for him there, and as he walked down the beach as long as I could see him I was praying for him to find the truth and no longer be enslaved. Please continue to pray for Ty, the witch doctor, that he will meet Jesus and accept the sacrifice He has given him.
