“But like the stars in the vast circuit
of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay” (The Desire
of Ages, 30.1)
Last Sunday I was up at 4:30 a.m. to
get some study time in, because at 5:30 it was my turn to help prepare
breakfast in the kitchen. Directly after breakfast I had a group of colporteurs[i]
to keep occupied until mid-afternoon. I did not relish the thought of packing
books around all day under the hot sun, especially after already laboring for
two hours over the cooking fire! By the time the water boiled, I had
half-decided that we would stay on campus. I would have the kids work on their
door-presentations, which they still needed to memorize anyway. On the other
hand, I knew the kids could use some practice in the field. I only have a few
more Sundays here with them this year before I have to leave, so I need to take
advantage!
But then I heard there were drunken
festivities in Yata, our chosen territory for the day. Oh great, I thought. That is
the last thing we need! I could already picture potentially awkward and
even dangerous scenarios. That settles
it, we’ll definitely stay here today! I thought, happy for what seemed like
a completely legitimate excuse. But suddenly I was strongly impressed with the
selfishness of my decision. Don’t those
people need God just as much even if they’re drunk? My thoughts took on a
different tone. You know the holy angels
are with you! You have nothing to be afraid of!
So I went and talked to drunk people in
three different houses. At our first visit, a young man invited us inside. He
had obviously been drinking, but he listened to us respectfully and was able to
respond with a semblance of intelligence. Meanwhile a toddler played on the
dirt floor, occasionally looking up with wide, startled eyes. The man expressed
interest in our materials, but said he had no money, so we prayed with him and
gave him a GLOW tract. After we left, Gina, the student I was working with was
teary-eyed.
“It is so different out here than it is
in the internado[ii]!”
“What do you mean?” I was surprised at
her emotion.
“Being in that house brought back bad
memories!” She paused, and I waited for her to see if she would say more. “I am
so glad I am at the internado! I am
so glad God brought me here! I was thinking about leaving, but I don’t want to
anymore. I want to stay here for all four years of high school! That man back there reminded me of my
dad.” she added.
As we continued down the street to the
next house I tried to encourage her as my heart overflowed with joy to see the
working of the Holy Spirit. Thank God! Even
if Gina’s epiphany turns out to be the only reward for the day’s labors it will
be worth it!
In the background thumped the heavy
ubiquitous rhythms from a conglomeration of raucous party music.
“This music is awful!” Gina continued. “It
brings back bad memories! I’d rather be at the school singing hymns!”
At the next house two young inebriates
sobered visibly as I presented to them some DVD’s on the Great Controversy. They
bought the whole set on the spot, and I could hear them playing it already as
we walked to the next house where we sold Steps
to Christ and Bible Readings for the
Home to a very interested elderly woman while we also humored the
conversation of her drunken brother.
Today we went back to Yata and sold
nearly $100 worth of material in a couple hours of time. That is big spending
for the little town of Yata, where previous efforts never netted much more than
about a tenth of that amount! Even more surprising was the level of interest in
nearly every home. I’ve never seen anything like it here before! Even those who
were unable to purchase anything listened intently to our presentation and
expressed a desire to acquire our materials. Praise God for His sobering Holy
Spirit that is counteracting the foul inebriating spirits that have so long held this village captive!
For years
now I have been frustrated at what seems to me such slow progress of the gospel
in Yata, including our delayed church construction project. But next month the
church will finally have a roof! A sawmill was built in Yata just last year,
and it began operation a few months ago. The new mayor, Richard Cordero, has
four of his kids in our school, and has promised to speak to the mill owner and
secure us a discount on the lumber we will need for the roof! Combine all that
with this suddenly-heightening level of spiritual interest! Coincidence? I
don’t think so. God always has his timing![iii]
[i] Colporteurs are door-to-door booksellers. Our main
goal in colporteuring is to meet new people and find opportunities to do good
and to share Christ. The books we sell contain life-changing material that has
been of inestimable value in our own lives. (The quote at the beginning of this
story comes from The Desire of Ages, one
of the books we carry. It is widely recognized as the best and most complete
commentary on the life of Christ in existence.)
[ii] Internado is Spanish for boarding school, and it is the name
that most people use for our school since we are the only boarding school in
the area.
[iii] Another factor not to be ignored in all
this is the flooding we’ve had this year all across the northeastern part of
the country. I think God is using it to make people reflect. If a life’s worth
of work and savings can be swept away in moments, maybe it is time to look for
something sure and more lasting!
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