Why Mission

What would you do if a stranger knocked on your door and insisted on coming in? Read the story of someone from a terrorist group, desperate to be made right with God.

Story from Peru... It was just another ordinary day in the small Andean town where I worked. It was mid-day and someone was knocking at the door impatiently. 

When I opened it there was a middle aged man very happy to find someone at home. He was desperate to talk to someone and I was the  third missionary he had tried to find that day. Normally with a stranger I would talk with them at the door but, he insisted that he come in and kept looking over his shoulder.  Finally I gave in, only because I felt God telling me to and because my roommate was home.

He said his name was Daniel and that he was with a leftist political group (considered by most as a terrorist organisation) and that he had come to confess. That information immediately put me on edge and I thought, “oh no what have I done letting this dangerous man into my house.” I tried to push back the fears and scary thoughts that were crowding into my brain and remember that I was here to serve the Lord and that He was with me.

He said he was tired of doing bad things and that he wanted to confess to God and receive salvation from all his sins. “WOW”, I thought, “most of the work is done.” He then proceeded to share all that he had been involved in and done. It  all just came pouring out of him with great sobs and regret. His stories were chilling and very hard to hear. At times I wanted to run crying from the room but instead, I sat there and listened in silence.

The whole ordeal took close to three hours as he had a lot to download and we spent a very long time in prayer afterwards. I remember him saying, “I know God can forgive me of these horrible sins.” “Do you believe God has forgiven me?” I spend a long time reassuring him of what his new reality would be like and what his tasks were from now on.

I remember him finally standing up and saying he had peace to start his new life with God now. He gave me a big hug and that was the last I ever saw of him. He was running away to another country that night to start afresh.Never have I witnessed someone so desperately seeking restoration with God and wanting a true relationship with Him. It was an incredible insight into how big God’s grace and mercy really is. Daniel’s salvation was a true miracle.

Afterwards, I felt very privileged to have been God’s instrument that day. I am forever changed. Even now, years later, whenever the door bell rings my first thought is “is it another person in need of God?

Please pray for Daniel and the rest of the people who have been involved in this horrible group. Pray that they too may find new life and come to know the God of grace and mercy.

(Names have been changed to protect anonymity. Image from of sixninepixels /FreeDigitalPhotos.net )