On a medical/dental mission, we can so often get caught up in being the "hands and feet" of Jesus that we forget about the "mouth." It's easy to think that our patients will respond better to an official "pastor" or "trained minister" and that our role is simply to keep our noses to the grindstone and heal as many as possible. But you never know if the Holy Spirit is working on someone to respond to you and your own personal faith story.
Recently, my wife and I went on a dental/medical trip to care for women and children who have come out of sex trafficking. On the first day, a downcast 15-year-old girl came to our chair to have a couple fillings done. At the end of her appointment, the Spirit prompted me to stop and just tell her how much God loves her and ask if she knew Jesus. She said she knew about Him, but she didn't know Him. I spent some time sharing how much I need Jesus in my life and talking about the gospel. Then I asked if she wanted to give her life to Christ and accept His free gift too, and she said yes! We had the privilege of praying with her and welcoming her into the family of God. What an honor it was to watch the Holy Spirit at work. It was awesome to see her physical transformation over the next few days as she really began smiling from the inside out and just seemed like a burden had been lifted. This girl had been at the home for over five years, hearing the gospel regularly through that whole time and never showed interest. Every seed that had been planted culminated in this beautiful moment of salvation (and our team leader happened to be walking in during the time and was able to capture it on camera).
Take home message: be BOLD with your faith! We all have a story of how God has redeemed us and welcomed us into His family despite our sin. It does not take training, a polished presentation, or a degree to share how the gospel has transformed your own life. The power is in the message, not the messenger. Our job is the share it and the rest is up to God.
Recently, my wife and I went on a dental/medical trip to care for women and children who have come out of sex trafficking. On the first day, a downcast 15-year-old girl came to our chair to have a couple fillings done. At the end of her appointment, the Spirit prompted me to stop and just tell her how much God loves her and ask if she knew Jesus. She said she knew about Him, but she didn't know Him. I spent some time sharing how much I need Jesus in my life and talking about the gospel. Then I asked if she wanted to give her life to Christ and accept His free gift too, and she said yes! We had the privilege of praying with her and welcoming her into the family of God. What an honor it was to watch the Holy Spirit at work. It was awesome to see her physical transformation over the next few days as she really began smiling from the inside out and just seemed like a burden had been lifted. This girl had been at the home for over five years, hearing the gospel regularly through that whole time and never showed interest. Every seed that had been planted culminated in this beautiful moment of salvation (and our team leader happened to be walking in during the time and was able to capture it on camera).
Take home message: be BOLD with your faith! We all have a story of how God has redeemed us and welcomed us into His family despite our sin. It does not take training, a polished presentation, or a degree to share how the gospel has transformed your own life. The power is in the message, not the messenger. Our job is the share it and the rest is up to God.
