Second chances

My heart is full of JOY this morning as I walk from the primary school back to my apartment!  I know I say this all of the time but… GOD IS SO GOOD!  I have just had the opportunity to teach children songs about Jesus!  Yesterday I ran outside as soon as I heard the children’s laughter and playful screams.  After being bombarded with hugs and kisses, I was greeted by three female teachers, all of which were in their mid-twenties (24, 25, and 26 years old).  Two of them claimed to be Christians and the other denied Christ as her Lord and Savior.  I wish I could tell you that I spent the rest of my day and night praying for Madame Anna but I didn’t.  My heart hurt for her in the moment but before I knew it, my mind was consumed with other thoughts for the day.  But God, in His goodness and grace, provided me with a second chance.  The teachers invited me to breakfast (porridge and tea) and then asked that I would come to their class the next day to teach the children.  Here was my chance… my chance to share Christ with Anna and invite her into my life in hopes of sharing and showing Christ to her so that she too could come to know Him as her Lord and Savior! 

Praise God for second chances!  Second chances to gain boldness from His Spirit, second chances to share the riches of Christ that we have with others, second chances to show Jesus to the lost, second chances to learn from our mistakes and be sanctified through them!  He pours out His grace upon us so freely and liberally!  Praise the Lord!

“Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I

Have my being.”  Psalm 146:1-2

After spending about an hour in the classroom teaching the children songs about Jesus we were interrupted by the clanging of a triangle to notify the children it was time for breakfast.  As the children ran to the “dining” (cement room with no AC and wooden tables and plastic chairs for them to eat a cup of porridge at) Anna and I walked slowly behind them talking.  She asked me if I could come again tomorrow to teach her classroom.  She then asked if I had a Bible that I could bring with me to teach the children from.  As we stood there talking my mind began brainstorming effective ways in which I could teach the children of Jesus.  Then God gave me my second chance…. Anna turned to me and said, “I would like you to teach me about your God.”  Ohhhhh, my heart literally felt like it was going to jump out of my chest with excitement!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!   I quickly responded, “Anna, I will teach you everything I know about God.” 

I feel renewed!  I feel excitement that I have not felt since I have been in Africa!  Here I thought I was going to spend the morning being fulfilled by the hugs, kisses and laughter of children… but God had greater plans!  Plans to save souls…

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”  Luke 19:10

My mission here should be that of John the Baptist’s, pointing everyone to Christ so that He may save the lost!  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is John the Baptist’s response to his disciples when they approached him pointing out Jesus’ baptizing people (the act that John the Baptist was known for starting)…. Instead of taking any glory, John the Baptist answered them with…..

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3:30

Oh, that I would have the mindset of John the Baptist… CONSTANTLY pointing to Jesus and giving Him ALL of the glory and honor He alone is due!  I pray that God would save Anna and open her eyes to see His truth!  I pray that through His Spirit, He would grant me grace and wisdom to point her to Christ in everything I do.  I long to spend eternity in Heaven with Anna worshipping our King and Savior!  Please join me in praying for the salvation of Anna.