a neat story

On the 3rd day of the project, I was tired, hot, and cranky. I was even more tired, hot, and cranky when we walked on a dusty road uphill for 40 minutes to a small cluster of houses…and no one was home. I kept on trying to pull my attitude up by my bootstraps – and was largely failing.

That night, after a decent time introducing Frisbee to the kids and singing goofy kiddie song, I was mentally checking out. I was thinking that I had survived most of the day and that I’d be better tomorrow after a good night’s rest. Checked out, indeed. Then I met M**.

I knew I was to introduce myself to her and her family – I don’t know how, but I knew. We sat next to each other for the film. From the beginning, she started shaking. For awhile I thought she was shivering because she was chilly. But I later sensed that she was shaking because the Holy Spirit was working in her. I sat closer to her and prayed. I could hear and feel her reactions to what she was seeing: a nodded head, a gasp, a deep sigh. When she saw the beginning of the crucifixion, I looked over at her. She looked confused for a little bit, and then leaned over to me and said, “He did this…for me?” Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone here that understood that so clearly. I continued praying for her; not really knowing what to say or do.

When the end of the film came and a repeat prayer was presented, I asked her if she wanted to pray it together. She nodded. So, sitting right next to her family, she and I whispered the prayer together. We continued on for a bit afterwards – I talked to God in my broken Albanian and she prayed, too. It was beautiful. New life in Christ is beautiful. And realizing that God would use me despite myself is something beautiful, too.

[Although I was unable to get through to her number on the night of the villagers-connected-to-local-believers, I was able to get some literature to her via a soccer dude with a ponytail from her village. We’ve since talked on the phone 3 times, and I’m praying that she’ll take time to do some reading and will have courage to venture out in search of other believers.]