“It was good for you to come today,” she said as she walked
me home, “I did not know before that Jesus died for MY sin.” This was the third
time we had met for me to tutor her in English. She could not get enough
Truth. During our second meeting we began going through John together. She was
amazed by this Jesus and commented, “I think Jesus was a good man, but I think
He was more than that. I think He is the Son of God.” I sat in complete
amazement that this woman would openly confess Jesus as the Son of God. Upon our third meeting she had read through 11
chapters of John in both English and her native tongue, and had written out several
questions for me. Questions like, what is sin, why did Jesus die, what is
resurrection. We even talked about the Holy Spirit and His role in our lives.
How He is our comforter, counselor, and He shows us Truth in scripture. When
she asked about the trinity, I hesitated to explain knowing that with the
little bit of English she knew I may only confuse her. But as I tried to
explain she said, “I think the Spirit is giving me understanding.” It was
rather obvious that God had been at work in her life and was calling her out!
The fourth time we met, I brought the English teacher with me to help translate
and explain some of the harder concepts. Even then it amazed us at her hunger
to know Him! My last time to meet with her came after a tragedy killed many
people from her town. We talked about how God is in control of all things, but
that He uses them for good, and that He promises to walk through them with us.
God never promised we would not face trials, but He promised to always be with
us. She stopped me and struggled to ask, “how do I . . . the Spirit . . . in me . . . how do I
get the Spirit? I want to follow Jesus”
Never before had God allowed me the privilege of this
moment. To witness Him raise the dead. Right there and then I had the honor of
sharing with this precious woman that if she asked, God would forgive
HER sin and give HER new life. She then asked if she had to pray in English,
with eyes open or closed, hands open or folded. It was totally new to her to be
able to come before God just as she is, and talk to Him straight from her
heart. That day, the day before I headed back to the States, she walked into
new life. Grace upon grace! I did absolutely nothing, and yet God in His grace
allowed me to walk with her into life! He never ceases to amaze me!
The past 6 weeks I have been in East Africa. I did not
really know why God wanted me to go this summer, the summer before I start
medical school. I almost regretted staying so long because one week after I
returned I must move to Blacksburg, VA. But now, I know. God took me out of
life as I knew it here in comfort and ease, and took me where He could humble
me and show me Himself in a way that will help me trust Him throughout medical
school. This was a very hard trip for many different reasons, but the fruit
that came of it was worth it all and so much more! Not only did He use me, but
He taught me each and every day. He reminded me that I am His, He called me by
MY name. He is enough for whatever I face, especially when HE called me to it!
So many great things happened in East Africa this summer!
But because I must now switch my focus to packing, moving and preparing to
start school, I will have to wait and write about the rest later. But for all
of you who lifted us up thank you so much! God did amazing things there this
summer and He is still working there! Please continue to pray for our new
sister in Christ. Pray her faith will grow and spread like fire. Pray for her
family especially her husband to be drawn to Christ as he sees a difference in
her and as she has already begun sharing with him. Grace upon grace, this is
our God. Amazing grace!
