At first I was hesitant, then excited and finally unsure. I left the Tampa International Airport on a flight destined for Managua, Nicaragua hesitant, excited and unsure of how God would use me over the next week. Hesitant because I did not think I was ready to share my faith with strangers, let alone pray with them. Excited because this was an opportunity God had placed in front of me to strengthen my relationship with Him. The thoughts of what God could do with this trip overwhelmed me. Unsure because I was afraid I would not be obedient to His Holy Spirit’s guidance and nudges. Would I step up to the plate when He asks me to be bold and offer pray to a patient who outwardly denies Christ?
Aware of my reservations, I turned them over to God that He would take them and strengthen me. On Monday, I started clinic in the optometry portion which meant I had the opportunity to fit the Nicaraguans with a pair of reading glasses. The actual optometry portion of the visit took about three minutes, so I had additional time to talk with patients about their faith and pray with them if they were willing. I dove right in with my first patient, trusting that God would provide me with the words and requests that needed to be said. For the most part, they were very receptive and grateful for the prayer. I grew to enjoy my time in the optometry clinic where we had the most time to spend with patients talking about their faith. Overall, the first half of the week God granted me the comfort to build my confidence. However, on Wednesday afternoon the time came for me to face my fear. I saw a patient and fitted him with glasses, at the end of the visit I began asking about his faith as I always did. He became reserved and hesitant, my heart dropped. As we talked, I could feel the Holy Spirit nudging me to share the gospel with him. I was tempted to brush over the conversation and let him leave, but I couldn’t. Next, I pulled out my gospel cube and stumbled through the story of Christ. He was very receptive and asked questions. In the end when I asked him if he wanted to accept Christ into his heart, he refused stating that he didn’t feel ready. I offered to pray with him and he gladly agreed.
In some ways, I was disappointed at this outcome, but I am grateful that I had the opportunity. God was faithful in providing the boldness I needed to share the gospel with this man and I know that He will continue pursuing his heart. My relationship with God was deepened in Nicaragua as I learned to depend on Him, trusting that He will provide me with the strength I needed. I pray that I will continue to have the boldness to spread the love of Christ daily.
Aware of my reservations, I turned them over to God that He would take them and strengthen me. On Monday, I started clinic in the optometry portion which meant I had the opportunity to fit the Nicaraguans with a pair of reading glasses. The actual optometry portion of the visit took about three minutes, so I had additional time to talk with patients about their faith and pray with them if they were willing. I dove right in with my first patient, trusting that God would provide me with the words and requests that needed to be said. For the most part, they were very receptive and grateful for the prayer. I grew to enjoy my time in the optometry clinic where we had the most time to spend with patients talking about their faith. Overall, the first half of the week God granted me the comfort to build my confidence. However, on Wednesday afternoon the time came for me to face my fear. I saw a patient and fitted him with glasses, at the end of the visit I began asking about his faith as I always did. He became reserved and hesitant, my heart dropped. As we talked, I could feel the Holy Spirit nudging me to share the gospel with him. I was tempted to brush over the conversation and let him leave, but I couldn’t. Next, I pulled out my gospel cube and stumbled through the story of Christ. He was very receptive and asked questions. In the end when I asked him if he wanted to accept Christ into his heart, he refused stating that he didn’t feel ready. I offered to pray with him and he gladly agreed.
In some ways, I was disappointed at this outcome, but I am grateful that I had the opportunity. God was faithful in providing the boldness I needed to share the gospel with this man and I know that He will continue pursuing his heart. My relationship with God was deepened in Nicaragua as I learned to depend on Him, trusting that He will provide me with the strength I needed. I pray that I will continue to have the boldness to spread the love of Christ daily.
