Witnessing a Man’s Faith in Jesus
In February of 2019, God truly surprised me with the opportunity to go to India! It was so funny, I literally joked with God around two years before doing my DTS in Hong Kong. I was in Barnes and Noble, picking out a beautiful, handmade red journal (which said “made in India”) to use during my missions training, and little did I know, God was going to send our team to India!
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” (Acts 9:15)
Meeting the community of believers.
My heart was so overwhelmed and filled with joy when I met the community of believers in Goa and Panjim. Connecting with the YWAM Goa base was also a really awesome moment. We spent time praying, praising God and encouraging one another, sharing stories of where we were from and how God has changed our lives!
In India, there is a huge stronghold of confusion and idolatry. Hinduism is the main religion and very strong influence, so it is very challenging for believers to step out in faith and boldness. There is persecution and rejection from the community, and even their own family members. We heard many stories about the hardships of following Jesus, but even so, the brothers and sisters we met were so passionate about the gospel and being the light in their community!
Witnessing a man’s faith in Jesus.
Our team went to Panjim for a couple days, which is the capital of Goa. Strongly influenced by Portuguese Catholics, it’s easy for Christianity to just be a religion, “do’s and don’ts”. We were at Bom Jesus Basilica, our team split into two groups to reach out to people around the area. With the group I was with, we saw a group of women and children, and we decided to sit down with them, get to know them and teach them some worship action songs! Little did we know, there was a security guard checking up on us, asking our leader, what we were doing.
The group of women we met at Bom Jesus Basilica (Panjim). The daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law’s cousin, sister’s kids, a whole family and more extended family! Loved how they were all hanging out together in a beautiful afternoon. Their husbands were there too, and we took selfies with them!
The guard asked some questions, engaged in conversation, and then it opened up the opportunity to share the gospel and about God’s power of healing! He had been suffering with a painful disease in his colon for 4 years! Our leader prayed over him to heal his sickness. We also laid hands on him to pray and believe that God was going to heal him at that time. I had never seen a man with such faith! He was really praying and asking Jesus to heal him.
The Holy Spirit led my leader to also tell him that Jesus heals our physical needs, but our SOULS are more important to Him! Our bodies are temporary, but our souls are eternal.
“Do you want to receive salvation of your soul? The forgiveness of your sins?”
Without any hesitation, the man said, “Yes!” As we prayed for his salvation, as he confessed that he needed Jesus as Lord and Savior, we also encouraged him that this decision would change his life forever! I received a word from the Holy Spirit which was, “Now your name is written in the book of Life! No one can erase your name. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit!” It was so amazing to witness the guard receiving Jesus, and suddenly, it was already time for him to go back to work. In just a few minutes during his break, HE RECEIVED JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR! HIS SOUL WAS SAVED! Hallelujah!
I will be posting more stories about our outreach in India. Stay tuned! :) I hope these stories encourage you!
