You never know what will be a catalyst for a conversation. I had just finished speaking with Marlow, a young man from France in New York for 4 months, when I was walking by a bicycle courier in the back of Washington Square Park. As I was passing, I noticed this older gentleman was missing his right hand. As soon as that registered, he looked up and his helmet slipped off his head. I reached to retrieve it, but he beat me to it (with his good hand).
I asked about his hand, and he showed me a picture from his hospital room right before they amputated it... pretty gruesome to say the least. That started about a 45 minute conversation that quickly moved to spiritual things. Jose is originally from the Dominican Republic, and was enjoying a pleasant day at the park before his courier shift started. We talked about the most important things: life and death (he's experienced both) and eternity. I shared how my life has changed since I believed that Jesus was who he said he was; I shared the gospel. I gave him a Bible and a tract that explains the gospel. He was reflective and appreciative, but did not yet experience seeing Jesus the way I do. I'm hopeful he reads the Bible and that it has the same effect it had on me back in 1989.
Before we hugged to say goodbye, I told Jose that God loves him, and that before the foundation of the world, God orchestrated this conversation-- He knew at just the right moment to have that helmet fall...
I asked about his hand, and he showed me a picture from his hospital room right before they amputated it... pretty gruesome to say the least. That started about a 45 minute conversation that quickly moved to spiritual things. Jose is originally from the Dominican Republic, and was enjoying a pleasant day at the park before his courier shift started. We talked about the most important things: life and death (he's experienced both) and eternity. I shared how my life has changed since I believed that Jesus was who he said he was; I shared the gospel. I gave him a Bible and a tract that explains the gospel. He was reflective and appreciative, but did not yet experience seeing Jesus the way I do. I'm hopeful he reads the Bible and that it has the same effect it had on me back in 1989.
Before we hugged to say goodbye, I told Jose that God loves him, and that before the foundation of the world, God orchestrated this conversation-- He knew at just the right moment to have that helmet fall...