Testimony

Bringing God and people together is why He sent us and you support us. In June and July, several youth groups from the U.S. served on the Pacific coast of Ecuador. One night, I talked to young woman who could have been beautiful but the light in her eyes had faded, her lips were curved downward. She cast her eyes to the floor when I began talking to her about the love of God . . . .

Nervously, she danced from one foot to the other. She’d glanced over at smiling young woman. Her friend encouraged her to listen. I could sense her desperation as her friend explained to me her situation as hopeless. Music from the band broke into our conversation.

The girls sat three rows from the front on the left side. That night, the Spirit flowed through the worship, dramas, and preaching. At the altar call, the young woman came forward. I wasn’t sure if her friend had hauled her to the front or not. A young woman from the states began praying in English for her. It is moments like this that one understands the grace of God when two different cultures and languages come together at an altar that His grace is sufficient.

At the back door, I stopped the young woman and talked with her for a brief moment about what she could expect from Jesus if she would only trust him. She only nodded. Her friend gave me a big smile as if all was well. I thanked the Lord for a good church and caring Christians since the team and I were moving onto minister in other churches, schools, and parks.

In October, Deanna and I returned with a team from First Assembly, Monticello, Arkansas. We were early. The five o’ clock service was closing, so we waited by the front door as people milled around waiting for the next service. Through all the noise, I heard someone call my name. I turned toward it. A large smile greeted me. Bright green eyes sparkled with life. I struggled to recall her name. Her hand grabbed my wrist, and she pulled me toward her and whispered, “I am so glad to see you and another group here. Jesus has been so good to me and I want him to bless others through the minister of your group as he blessed me last summer.”

I thanked her for her kind words, and then I expressed a prayer of gratitude for the call of God and the great Christian people from home who allow us to be His hand extended.