Over spring break, Steph and I were privileged to go to Cuba for an evangelistic series with the annual Andrews University study tour. Many, many things happened over those 10 days, but I want to share with you the real-life story that impacted me the most.
Near the beginning of the weeklong series, we prayed that God would bless the children’s program at our church in the same way that He would bless the adult meetings. But you know how things go. We completely forgot about that prayer almost immediately. Exciting things were happening, and we “moved on” from that prayer.
Our children’s program started strong. On the first night, we had around 40 kids! The area was a little cramped, but we were fortunate enough to be able to do songs and dramas for the kids. In Cuba, the vast majority of people speak Spanish only, but the kids loved to learn songs in English! We taught songs like Jesus’ Love is a Bubblin’ Over and With Jesus as the Captain. It was incredibly fun.
We also were fortunate enough to have some wonderful children’s plays and stories. We would tell the stories in English, and a local translator would relay it to the kids in Spanish. A church member provided us with some costumes, and we were ready to roll!
We had a few stray issues, but everything in the kids’ program went quite smoothly. We had forgotten about that prayer at the beginning of the week — but God didn’t.
On the last night of the program, the local church leaders called us up front and allowed the meeting attendees to comment on their experience in the week. A few people stood up and told some heart-warming stories, but for me, the heavy impact belonged to an older woman with bright eyes.
What she said absolutely blew all of us away.
She stood up, gripped the microphone that was handed to her, and smiled. She told us that she is a local school teacher. Early in the week, her kids came to class and wouldn’t stop talking about the dramas and songs that was going on at a nearby church. Being a curious person, she decided to see what they were talking about for herself. She attended the meetings for the rest of the week.
The woman continued on to tell us that she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She wanted to get baptized that following Sabbath!
I suddenly remembered that prayer that was prayed at the beginning of the week. God didn’t forget it. Not even for a moment.
I imagine Him smiling as He knew what amazing things would happen through the genuine witness of children.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
Your age, education, and skill set is never a limitation for the Creator God. Regardless of your situation, God can use you right where you are to bring others to Him.
So, I challenge you to take the first step this week with a simple prayer.
“God, I don’t want to be a bystander anymore. Help my plans to be interruptible. Let me know how to show just one person your love this week. Amen.”
Jonny has been involved with Enspire Productions since 2009. He is currently enrolled in the MDiv. program at the Andrews University Theological Seminary.