Austin and the missing part of his life...

"Hey, are you looking for something?" called the man in the wheel chair from down the sidewalk.

"No, I'm just checking in on my students." I had been wandering past several different wards on the hospital grounds in Bo, Sierra Leone trying to locate the different groups of my students. Early in the summer we had separated the students into "Evangelism Groups". We had sent them with some translaters in 9 different directions at the hospital to pray with people and share Jesus as they were able. It was my job to keep an eye out in case they needed any help.

"My name is Austin. What's your name?"

"My name is Margaret. It's nice to meet you Austin."

"Can you tell me why you are here?"

"Sure. We are here to pray with people and to share about our faith in Jesus Christ. Our group is mostly teenagers and I am one of the leaders. I see that you are wearing a cross necklace, do you know Jesus? Are you a Christian?"

"I know of Jesus, but I am not a Christian. Can you tell me more about it?"

I spent the next 15 minutes explaining the Gospel to Austin. However, there were many times when I would start reciting a scripture and Austin would practically finish it for me. After he finished explaining the trinity for me I asked him again.

"Austin, are you sure you are not a Christian? You seem to know a lot about this already."

"I am not a Christian. I've meant a few of missionaries like you in my life. They have told me the same things you have."

"Do you want to be? I mean, do you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?"

Austin asked me a few more questions and then replied with, "I would like to give my life to Jesus. How do I do this?"

"Has no one ever told you?"

"No."

I was astounded. Here was this man who had heard the gospel and although he never got to the point of prayer, God had written His word on Austin's heart.

I explained to Austin what prayer was and then asked if he wanted to pray out loud repeating after me, in his heart, or completely on his own. He chose to repeat after me. On July 20, 2012 a man named Austin gave his life to Jesus.

Almost immeadiately Austin started asking me how he could learn more. I promised that I would get him a Bible and try to set up having one of the local Pastors to come and visit him.

I ended up spending the whole time with Austin. It was the most amazing hour of ministry in my life. For all the people that we share the Gospel with in any given summer, there are usually only a few people that stand out as truly reborn. Most, because of cultural and language barriers, it's hard to discern if a true commitment was made or if the person was just trying to please us.

However, Austin is one of those that I know will do much with what he received that day. He expressed a desire to be a Pastor. Even though I prayed with him to receive physical healing (I believe it's Gods desire for everyone to healed and whole...you know, the whole "on earth as it is in Heaven" deal) there was something exciting about the things God was going to do through Austin's life right from that wheelchair.

Austin used to be a business man until he was in a terrible car accident 8 years ago that left him parylized. When he was talking about it Austin told me this:

"I should have died. God saved me. I've always known there was something missing in my heart. I know now that Jesus is what was missing."

Oh, and if you're wondering, Austin got that Bible (and a hope and a future).