SO, this past week was NC State's Spring Break, and since I am not a student I didn't get an official spring break. However, my boss is pretty much the coolest guy around and he let me have a whole week off to lead a spring break mission trip to the University of Connecticut, home of Jonathan the Husky (a descendent of a wolf, like the NC State Wolfpack, if you catch my drift. Though, technically they were founded before us...).
ANYWAY, there were 5 of us in total who went on the trip: Zach, Anthony, Sarah, Jordan and myself. Four of us spent a great time driving the 12 hours up to UConn, while we picked up Anthony (a truck driver who drives enough) from the airport up there. Also, 2 more folks flew up from Florida: Mark and Katya. I know you may not know these people now, but you will by the end of the story.
The story actually begins on the drive up to Maryland on Saturday. We stopped in Maryland at Oak Ridge Community Church to hang out with the college group there and then stay at a friend's house and go to church the next day. Well, Saturday night with the College group (C-Group) was extremely encouraging and Spirit filled. Before the meeting "officially began" there were groups of two's and three's praying together and having fun catching up and introducing themselves to us and eating the food that was there. Once we finally got started, we went over John 16, particularly verses 5-15 dealing with the Holy Spirit.
A lot of people went around giving their testimonies of how they had the joy and peace of Christ because of His Spirit even though according to this world's standards, they should have been downtrodden. It was simply an encouraging time of hearing the Truth of the scriptures and then after the discussion, one of the guys in the back spoke up and said that he was Jewish and he would go out and party and talk to other people and not understand how they could still have joy and peace and happiness even though they didn't go out and party. The bluntness and honesty of him speaking up in front of everyone like that really shocked and encouraged me! He simply said that and that these verses really made it make sense to him at that time. It was a direct application of how the Spirit is the one who convicts the world and not us, and it was exciting to see and be a part of.
After some more discussion, we broke up into small groups. Little did I know, but I was in for another shock. We were told to simply share a little of what we learned with each other and pray for each other and have some fellowship. However, the first girl that spoke up said something like this: "I just wanna say that I'm not saved, but I can't help but see the happiness that you guys have and I want it." Immediately, someone asked, "Well, do you know how to be saved?" and she said that she didn't. So everyone started explaining their relationship with Christ and how it has changed their life, and all I could think about was sharing a clear gospel presentation to her. I was literally trembling by the time I finally got to share with her.
When it was my turn to talk, I asked her if I could show her what we would be sharing with the people we met up at UConn. She said, "Please!" My heart almost melted in my chest at being with someone so hungry to hear God's word of truth. So, I sat down in the middle of the circle so that she could see my handwriting better. This is what I shared with her:
For the sake of length, if you'd like to see The Conversation, simply follow the link... or read the previous blog post. HahaSoon after I had finished, the rest of the group continued to encourage her to pursue Christ and know Him. One big comment that I really appreciated was by a cool guy near the end of our time. He said,
"Listen, don't do this for us. This shouldn't be done because you feel like we're pressuring you. We just see you in the same position we were in before we accepted Christ. We have so much that we would want to tell our former selves, but instead are telling you. No, don't do this for us. Do this for God and you. Realize that the relationship that you will be entering in is one that will change your life forever and for the good."
I really appreciated that guy! We then prayed, and we asked her if she would mind if we laid hands on her, and she said that'd be fine. So we prayed over her and it was overall just a great time! Though she did not come to Christ right then and there, I am confident that she will soon seeing as she is the one pursuing the rest of the people at the C-Group.
Soon after, the team and I went to our friend's house and rested for the evening. We woke up to a great breakfast and then a great service at church that morning. The trip had just started, we weren't even in Pennsylvania yet and we were already ready and raring to go share the good news of Jesus Christ!
NEXT Time, we'll hear of the fun exploits on the road and perhaps the beginnings of UConn (finally).
No comments:
Post a Comment