Yesterday, while we were in Central Park, some of our students met an older lady. She was sitting by herself, and our students walked over and started a conversation with her.
What a joyful woman she must have been! She was a Christian who had volunteered with Sunday school and nonprofits. According to our students, she was very talkative and spent a lot of time with them, laughing, asking questions, and encouraging them.
She kept telling our students how cute they were and even told them they were “the cutest people she’s ever seen!” She told them that meeting them had made her day. She even wanted their phone numbers, but our students couldn’t give them to her!
As they talked about their faith, she asked a question about heaven and hell: If Jesus died for everyone’s sins, why would anyone still go to hell?
One of our students, Maddie, did such a wonderful job addressing her question and trying to explain what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, using what we’ve been teaching our students about salvation and putting our faith and trust in Jesus. Hearing how she took what she’s been learning and put it into practice in a conversation with someone she’d just met was so encouraging!
They continued spending time with her, prayed with her, and gave her a flower. Before they left, she hugged every one of them. Our students described her as being just full of joy!
What was especially encouraging was that our students had already experienced rejection from some of the people they approached. Some didn’t want to talk with them at all. And then they met this lady, who couldn’t have been more excited to spend time with them.
One of our students later said, “She really touched us.”
Our students walked over hoping to encourage her, but she ended up encouraging them just as much. What a blessing!
NYC mission trip
The Walk Youth Group
Building 229
Venmo @oneneednow
Thomas County Area Ministry