On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, our e3 team spent lots of time traveling in a bus, which was driven by a man named Ale*. Ale was friendly and very helpful. He worked hard throughout the trip, not only making sure that the team got to each destination safely and on time, but volunteering to help in other ways as well. The team quickly grew fond of him, and when it became known that he wasn’t a believer, each person took every opportunity to talk to him about Jesus and how much he was loved.
On our last day, one of the translators approached Sam*, one of the men on the trip, and asked if he would speak to Ale about the gospel. Sam agreed, and later that afternoon, the three of them, went to an area free of distractions, and Sam shared the story of the gospel.
Ale listened intently, and when Sam was finished speaking he said, “I know that everything you’ve told me, and everything everyone else has told me during your trip is true, but I’m just not ready.”
Sam told him that he understood and respected Ale’s decision, but felt like God was pushing him to continue the conversation, so he did. They continued talking about Jesus, what He did for us on the cross, and how that affects our lives today. Then, Sam said, “don’t worry about next month, or next week, or even tomorrow because none of us are promised tomorrow. Only worry about what you know to do right now.”
And as he said those words, something changed in Ale’s heart. His fears and reservations keeping him from accepting Christ were gone. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior right then as he cried tears of joy.
That night, the e3 team met, along with all the national partners who had worked with them throughout the week. They each shared their most memorable moments from the trip, and when it was Sam’s turn, he told the story of what had happened with Ale earlier that afternoon. As he finished the story, one of the national partners stood up to speak, and with a giant smile on her face she told everyone that Ale was her son and she had been praying for a long time that he would receive Christ, and today that prayer was answered!
God continues to show us time and time again that He can do incredible things through us when we step out in faith and seek to do His will. What a blessing it is to be a part of the amazing work He’s doing around the world!
*Pseudonyms