This past Saturday we took our students out on the cold streets of Targoviste, to model street evangelism and teach them the importance of sharing the gospel. The second our students heard this they were both excited and nervous. Asking many questions like, “What are we supposed to tell them? We’re nothing special like you Americans, so why would they listen to us? What if they don’t listen?”
You, see, the culture of Romania has many emotional walls. It takes a great amount of time to get past the many barriers covering their hearts. People just don’t say hi to random strangers on the street or even nod their head in acknowledgement. Nope, they stare at you, checking you out, as they pass by…and the one thing you never do is try to approach someone “to talk” to them, because they will instantly assume the worst. Of course, you really can’t blame them for this attitude when twenty years ago they were under the oppression of communism and the only time someone “talks” to a stranger is when they’re poor and need money.
Leading my team, Passion, to the park, two girls caught my eyes. They’re names were Madeline and Alina and both were in high school. I knew that a guy walking up to two girls, asking to talk to them would inspire suspicion. So after our introductions, I looked at one of our more nervous, yet passionate students and told her, “talk to them about a passionate relationship with Christ. Let the passion bubble out of your heart.”
With clarity and boldness she poured out her heart, displaying a passionate love for Christ! After I introduced the opportunity to them to accept Christ in their hearts, this student led those two girls in the sinner’s prayer! We hope to continue contact with them as they start their new relationship with Christ.
However, the one encounter that struck me the most was with three teenagers, who decided not to accept Christ, because they wanted to think about it…This struck me as odd, considering out of all the people we talked to, they seemed the hungriest. They asked the most questions and took everything as truth. They talked about how much they would “like” a relationship with Christ; but when it came to true faith, their reply was, “We’ll think about it.”
My reply to them was, “Ok, you can think about it…but keep in mind that every second could be our last…and it would real stink to make that one choice, one second too late…” I opened the opportunity again to begin a walk with Christ…and one guy looked like he was about ready to say yes. He was the most intrigued about Christ’s transforming power at work in us…however, the leader of the group replied “We’ll think about it. We’d like to come to church to hear more about this personal relationship, but we need to think about it first.” This leader was equally hungry, but you could tell that she honestly thought the decision she made was wise…like visiting other stores before making a final purchase…
My hope is that the seeds we sowed take hold…and that we’re able to keep in contact with them. However, as we walked away something occurred to me: How often do we honestly do this to God…
God tells us to give a certain amount and we say, “Let me think about this.” How many times do we feel God nudge our heart to share Christ with a random stranger and we think, “Oh I’m so busy and they’re probably too. It’s probably not God and just my imagination and-Oh! Look at the time!” How often do we hear God call us, and we make plan B incase His plan A falls through…
Please be praying for the one that seemed especially hungry, Yulian. I would love to see these guys move from “thinking” to an inescapable passion.
Also, keep in mind of what your support has brought us. Because of our partnership and God’s moving, two people have confessed Christ as their savior, and many more have heard the gospel. Let’s continue to shake up this world together!
Thank You and God Bless
No comments:
Post a Comment