Memorable Christian Salvation Experience

     I had every intention of writing a humorous story from one of our books today, but that all changed as I listened to a true inspirational mission story this morning.  This story is a devotional in itself.  It does not begin with a humorous story or a joke.  It starts with a desire to do God’s work.  It ends with what reminds me of the words found in The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson; it is a part of the prayer which asks God, “Oh that you would enlarge my territory.”  That is just what has happened in the following true story.  Our Sunday school teacher and his wife had just returned from a mission trip in the Philippines, and he told one of the most memorable endearing salvation story I have ever heard. 
     Upon his arrival in the Philippines he instructed the children to call him Pops.  They loved that! It was easy to say, and they became attached to him quickly.  During one day on this trip a young girl, about the age of eight, hung onto Pops’ arm.  As he talked and visited with the girl, he found out her name was Marjorie, but it wasn’t until her brother joined them that he discovered their dad had died about three weeks before.  Before long Marjorie looked up at him and said, “Pops, I love you.”  After that she exclaimed, “I will be right back.” Upon her return, she was carrying a small book which she asked him to read to her.  Pops read about Adam and Eve, among other Bible character stories, which included the story of Noah and the promise God made when he provided the rainbow.  Afterwards, Pops looked down at the girl and asked if she wanted to know Jesus and if she wanted to ask Him into her heart.  She did!  So they prayed, and Marjorie asked God into her heart.  About that time Pops looked over to his right, and, through his tears, saw that Marjorie’s brother was leaning in over his shoulder clinging onto every word.  Next, Pops asked the girl’s brother if he also wanted to know the Lord.  He did!  They bowed their heads again, and the boy asked God into his life.  Within minutes after that there appeared, across the sky, a beautiful rainbow!
     What else can be said?  Doubts can be removed in the blink of an eye for God is in all things.   With their acceptance of God as their Savior, God gave those two children a sign of his promise to be with them.   
     From that one experience, “Pops” and his wife, Marilyn, left the Philippines with a much greater blessing.  They will always remember these two children anytime they see a rainbow, and those two children will always remember them, as well, along with God’s promise of His enduring spirit living within them.
    I look forward to the many other stories of their witness for the Lord and how their “territory has been enlarged” because of this mission trip.  This is my post today from "A Friendly Shade."  If you enjoyed it please pass it on.  It is a true story of how God will use people to do his work and what a blessing He will bestow upon them if they are only willing to take up His cross and and share His amazing grace.