My Venezuela Testimony

I have wanted to go on an overseas mission trip for a long time. When the youth group finally decided that we would be going to Santa Fe, Venezuela, this summer I was glad but at the same time nervous. The trip that I had been waiting and praying for had finally come.

I can honestly say that the work that we did in preparation and the actual work and difficulties (heat, no running water, stress etc.) we experienced in Venezuela was pretty much what I had expected. Jenny and Dan did a great job preparing us for what we were going to be doing, especially with regards to traveling down and back and the “inconveniences” we would encounter in Santa Fe. So I was reasonably prepared for all that “work”, however I was totally caught off guard by the thoughts, feelings and desires that God put in my heart while I was there. Intellectually I knew that I would be seeing kids that had absolutely nothing except the dirty, raggedy clothes on their backs, but when I saw them I was affected in a totally unique and powerful way. For the first time I understood that they had absolutely nothing, including Jesus Christ.

Immediately when I got down there, I felt a great desire to help these children with their physical needs. This feeling did not go away as the week progressed, but instead another, greater desire slowly crept into my thoughts. As I watched these kids listen to the Bible stories and songs that we taught them, and saw their eyes light up and their beautiful smiles every time I looked at them, God began to give me a strong desire to help these kids not just physically, but more importantly, spiritually. They were hungry for the Gospel and the hope that it brings, and I had that Gospel to give them!

These feelings grew throughout the week and then finally culminated on Friday night, when we had a large rally to end the VBS, with the kids and their families and anyone else who would come. After the program part of the rally was finished, we all went off in pairs (one Beautiful Feet kid and one NISI kid) and began to share the Gospel individually with anyone who would listen. The NISI kids used these flip books that had outlined the salvation message. They would flip through these books and share the Good News with the people of Santa Fe, young and old alike. It was amazing to see the crowds grow when you started talking through the book. A few people left midway through, but most stayed, listening intently.

I don’t know too much Spanish, so I couldn’t really contribute too much to the actual preaching. Joyce (my partner from NISI) would read through the book and I just stood there, half understanding what she was saying. I was just beginning to get discouraged that I couldn’t do more to help when I decided that I would start praying. At first I did it because it was the “right thing to do”. But very quickly God put in my heart this un-explainable burning, passion for the people we were witnessing to. It was like I was desperate to see them saved. I remember thinking to myself that I didn’t know what I would do if they did not believe. This just made me pray even harder. I begged that God would lavish His grace on them and open their eyes. I was almost in tears but I kept my eyes held tightly shut. This happened every time we talked to people. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before. It was not of me, but was solely God giving me His passion and His love and His heart. I felt immense, sweeping happiness and joy when people professed their faith in Jesus Christ! It was as if their salvation was my only care in the world and when they accepted Christ it was the only thing that I desired in the world, so I was completely joyful! God heard my prayers and He answered them with a resounding YES! Over twenty people that Joyce and I witnessed to, professed faith in Jesus Christ! It was amazing to see God save so many lives.

Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

I had never before earnestly prayed like I prayed that night. I have never felt that ache and longing for the unsaved before. God blessed me with His heart that night. There is nothing more fulfilling than being used of God to spread His Glory to the unsaved. I am so thankful that He saw fit to use me and I pray that He does it again…soon.