by Gail Pauls, Chile
1 September 2006

As I drove to our weekly Bible study, I prayed that God would free me from discouragement. After two years of meeting with my friends, the results were still unclear. Though they had heard the Gospel repeatedly and in various forms, they still had not come to personal faith in Christ. Was I to continue teaching them, or had I done all that God wanted me to do? I needed His confirmation that I persevere—or a sign that I should move on.

Arriving at Cristina's beautiful home, I learned that none of the other women could attend. Almost relieved that a sign was so quickly given, I would gladly have turned around and gone home. But that did not appear to be Cristina's desire. With her Bible on the table and her maid preparing our breakfast, she was ready to begin. I had to admit she had changed since our first class when, with arms crossed, she had interrogated me about my beliefs. Okay God, if You want me to stay, I will stay.

	Peter W. Morris photo

Our lesson was meaningful for us both. At the end of the study when we looked at Christ’s promises, I explained that they were directed to all who could call Him their personal Savior and Lord. With an intriguing smile, Cristina said she had some news for me, but it would have to wait because she needed to pick up her boys from school. What?! And leave me in suspense? She did not have to beg me to accompany her. And I did not have to beg her to spill the news.

While showering one morning, she began to think about my ongoing theme: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She had grown up believing in Him, but surrender and commitment were not part of her belief. Though she had always considered herself a Christian, a year of studying the Gospel of John had made her feel a need for something more. Still in the shower, she decided to bring her fears to an end. After telling God that she wanted to be His child, she committed her life to Christ. Immediately, indescribable joy caused her to kneel down and weep. With the water pouring and tears flowing, she felt a cleansing from sin and a freedom she had never experienced before. Finally she understood the personal part in salvation. And she was overjoyed.

Listening to Cristina's story, I could hardly contain my own joy. When I told her that angels had also rejoiced with her, she was delighted but not surprised. She had felt their celebration in her heart. The moment of Cristina's salvation was between God and her. But the timing of it was God's kind answer to me. And as if she had heard my morning prayer, Cristina added, "Now you know that your work is not in vain."

Peter Morris Photo