By Tim Allen, pastor, Glenview Alliance Church, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
Just five weeks before Christmas, my wife, Susie, and I had the privilege of helping a shop owner find the greatest gift imaginable—new life through Jesus Christ.
“That’s What We Believe”
In November Susie and I, the pastoral care team for Burkina Faso, had the privilege of participating in the All-Africa Forum in Spain. We arrived a couple days early to do some sightseeing.
Toward the end of an afternoon of shopping, Susie noticed one more little store she wanted to visit. As we entered, Haresh, the shopkeeper, was alone. Perceiving that we were tourists, he showed Susie a necklace with a small bell inside.
“Travelers are comforted by hearing it ring because it reminds them of their guardian angel,” he said.
“Can I show you what brings me comfort while traveling?” Susie asked.
From a cell phone app, she read two Scriptures that promise us God’s presence at all times. Those verses opened the door to a conversation about spiritual things, as it was clear Haresh was searching for truth.
He told us he was born in India, educated in Great Britain, and had lived in Spain for more than 20 years. Since we knew little Spanish, we could not communicate well with most of the other shopkeepers. Yet God led us to a man who not only spoke impeccable English but also was eager to hear the good news of Jesus.
After he told us about his cousin, who had recently become a born-again Christian, we said, “Yes, that’s it. That’s what we believe.”
Watch this “First Christmas” video as Mally shares his remarkable testimony on the “ghosts of Christmases past.”
A Burden Is Lifted
Three days later we went back to the shop. He welcomed us warmly, and once again, in God’s providence, there were no other customers.
When I asked if we could pray, Haresh closed the door of his shop so we would not be disturbed. The three of us joined hands in a circle as I asked the Lord to open the shopkeeper’s spiritual eyes.
Susie then asked Haresh if he would like to trust Jesus to be His Savior. “Oh, yes!” he said. I led him in a simple prayer of confession and faith.
As soon as we finished, Haresh patted his chest with both hands. “I feel light!” he exclaimed. What a thrill to see the joy on his face!
Haresh will be celebrating his first Christmas this year as a new brother in Christ. Jon Neff, an Alliance international worker in Spain, has followed up with him and hopes a discipling relationship will develop.
Plant, Water, Harvest
Susie and I are keenly aware that God made sure others had planted and watered the seed of the good news in Haresh’s life before we met him. We were just one link in a long chain of people and events and were privileged to be there when he prayed and trusted Christ.
My prayer is that whether I am called to plant, water, or harvest, I will always be sensitive to where God is working and then join Him there.