3/23/2009

Rare Blessings

Most any missionary in Europe would understand what a rare blessing it is to lead someone to Christ. Not the kind of rare that never happens, but the kind of rare that happens every now and then. So when it happens it becomes the highlight of the week (as it should be even if you get to lead someone to Christ daily).

Sometimes we pick the fruit after much work and personal investment. Those times are so rewarding knowing that every second you spent with that person was used by the Holy Spirit to work in her/his heart to lead them to that point.
Other times are a surprise, for you are picking up the labor of others. This is the blessing I received last Sunday. I was able to lead to the Lord a Spaniard lady whose son has talked about the Lord in several occasions. Let me share her story with you.

In 2002, M.L’s son died without any warning from a strange illness. He was a Christian, and at the time of death was doing a personal Bible study in “Things to come”. We know that because for 6 years she was wondering what that little paper inside her son’s Bible meant. It had a few letters and lots of numbers. There were Bible references from Revelation, Daniel…
He was young. He must have been an amazing Christian because, although his mom had never gone to church, she knows lots about the Bible. He must shared a lot with her. When he died, he left a mother searching for God. What she found though was a different thing. She found a “church” where, as she told me yesterday, didn’t use the Bible. Some people's eyes were in blank and moving in strange ways, and they brought her to the middle and told her to tell God to “accept her”. No Bible verse, no conviction, nothing. She left the church and never returned. After her son died though she fell into a great depression, missing her son much, and needing to take strong sedative daily to help her with anxiety attacks.

About a month ago, a young Christian lady, friend’s with her son (a different son) came to Spain and told M.L. she was looking for a church. M.L. told her about her pass experience. The young lady looked for a church in the web and found us, PRAISE THE LORD! Both of them came to church yesterday, the young Christian lady and M.L.

As soon as they came in, M.L. started telling me about what happened with the “church”, her son… She wanted to hear, she was so soft. She showed me her son’s Bible. I listened to her for a while and then started telling her how God was the only one that could heal her. How her son was now in heaven, with no sorrow, no pain… really in the best place he could be. She didn’t know that, she was so relieved. I told her one day she could be with him in heaven. I gave her the plan of salvation. She believed it, she wanted it. She prayed. And praise God, she got saved. She gave me a great hug.

Afterwards she told me that the day before she was so excited she forgot to take her medicine. God knew she needed a clear mind and that medicine takes that from her. She wants Bible studies.

I told her that when one person gets saved there is joy in heaven. I told her that her son must be jumping up and down.

He shared much with her before he died. His death gave her the need to search God. I was able to lead her to the Lord with his Bible. I think he was jumping up and down.
He will see his mom again in heaven.

15 comments:

Ashley said...

Praise the Lord!!!! what a great blessing.God is sooo good and faithful!We will keep this lady in our prayers that she may grow in the Lord!

Jen Price said...

Praise God! Salvation is such a process and I always thank God when He lets us be the part that is actually leading someone to Him. I'm sure her son is jumping up and down! Thanks for sharing this encouraging story!

Rachel Smith said...

What an encouraging post! Praising the Lord with you!!

Abbie's culottes- I found a couple of culottes at our JC Penney store for Abbie. They are really like gouchos, but Abbie is so skinny that they fit her very loosely like a skirt. Also her legs are so long that they aren't long on her like gouchos. I also had my sister in law make me several pair for both of my girls. She made a child size culotte pattern off of a small adult pattern.

Nina in Portugal said...

I've already sent you an email about this...but I'll comment too...can't help but to!!

Yahoooo...Praise the Lord!!

Europe is a difficult field. Fruit isn't just waiting for someone to shake the tree like in some countries.....I am celebrating with you!

Jill said...

What a beautiful story! Her son maybe jumping up and down in heaven, but I think some Starks are jumping up and down in Spain! I'm happy for you all!

Unknown said...

I have been rejoycing with you all!! We sure do undrerstand and know how much of a victory this is!! Praise the Lord!!
We will be praying for M.L.
You did a great job re telling the account.

Unknown said...

PS. did you see the award I gave you over at my blog?

Ingi said...

Woohoo!!!!!! Praise the Lord! That is really awesome!

Deanna said...

So, so wonderful! It is so exciting to read about what the Lord is doing. Praise the Lord for this lady's salvation. You guys must be so excited! We will continue to pray for her and that she would continue to come faithfully and grow. Wow, this is what it's all about,....makes all the tough times worth it! = )

Unknown said...

Oh Pilar, You don´t have to do the tag thingy.. I just wanted to make sure you saw the little award. ;) that´s the important part! Wanted to brag on ya a bit on my blog!!

Laura said...

Hallelujah! I am SO rejoicing with you!

Stonefox said...

Praise the Lord, Pilar! This is such exciting news; I'm rejoicing with you!

Arlene said...

Praise the Lord -- what a beautiful, sweet story! :o)

Shane and Kristy Davis said...

Hi Pilar,
Thanks for leaving the comment over on my blog. I have visited your blog a couple of times via Danni Joy's and thought your girls were so cute. Last week ( I think), I loved your tour of your city! Beautiful!
I would love to visit there.

What a blessing to see a soul saved! The story was amazing! It is tough here in Canada also. People are not very open until you get to know them and they trust you. Nice to meet ya:)

Rebekah said...

That's great! What a blessing and encouragement!