WOW! What a day it was yesterday. We went out door-to-door in the afternoon to an area around First Baptist Church (I realize you have no idea where that is). I was in a group with Jess, 2nd year at Jeff, and Elliot, an ER attending in Tyler, Tx. We were a little hesitant at first because we weren't given a translator in our group and the communities we visit tend to be very heavily spanish speaking. Jess speaks a little, but didn't really feel comfortable doing it on her own. Regardless, we set out and arrived at our assigned street. The first house we stopped at, a mother and child were outside talking with a neighbor. We approached and introduced ourselves, however, neither were interested in any medical screenings or about Jesus. So much for that. Across the street was an apartment complex, so we decided to head in there. No one home at the first door we knocked on... so far not so good. The next door a man and woman opened the door. They both were not interested in BP or DM screenings, but once we mentioned Developmental screenings for kids, she got very excited and welcomed us in readily. Turns out, they had a 8 month old girl, that they were trying to have see a doctor but hadn't been able to make it. I asked the developmental screening questions and the baby was normal. The man (boyfriend) decided he wanted his blood sugar and BP checked; we happily abliged. I noticed a framed picture on the wall with the words, "LORD." I dont think there could have been a better 'in.' I asked about the picture to seguay into a more 'spiritual' conversation.

The picture had been a gift from the woman's Aunt who is very catholic. We started asking more probing questions to find out what she believed, and found that both the man and woman believed in God, but not much more than that. I started presenting the gospel message using tracts we have with great illustrations and pictures. They both understood what I and Jess and Elliot were saying, but there was still something holding them back from taking a step of faith. They admitted to not having a bible, thus we left them one of ours with the verses we went over marked out. We ended our conversation with prayer and thanked them for their gracious hospitality.

We exited the home and proceeded through a common area of the apartments to the next house. As we were doing so, a mother, daughter and the daughter's boyfriend were all standing and talking. We introduced ourselves and told them what we were doing. The mother said she had hypertension and would like her BP checked. Jess and I went with the mother inside the home, while Elliot and Sophie (by this time another translator showed up and they dropped her off with our team) talked with the daughter and boyfriend. The time Jess and I spent with the mother was great, very hospitable and friendly. Her BP was well-controlled on Diavan (combo diuretic and ACE-inhibitor) and blood sugar in the normal range. I started asking about what she know of Jesus - which wasn't much - saying he was there to help us. She denied knowing him personally or his death on a cross for our sins. Jess and I walked through the gospel message with her outlining Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8 and Ephessians 2:5-8. She believed! Right then and there she confessed her sins before God and asked Jesus to be her savior. Awesome!

Unbeknownst to Jess and I, the daughter and boyfriend, while speaking with Elliot and Sophie outside the home, also made a profession of faith. 3 people in one household came to know Christ yesterday (the boyfriend doesn't actually live there however). They all desired for the pastor of 1st baptist to visit and thus we gave the church their information and setup a time when we all could return next week. When we came back and debriefed our day with the entire group, there were several stories such as this one. At last count, 10 people - just from yesterday! - wanted follow-up from the church. I cannot assume all of those accepted Jesus that day, but God is definitely at work in their hearts. The Holy Spirit was moving in people's hearts and we could physically see it. The previous times out in Tx have been a little discouraging because of rain and being set away from so many homes. Keep praying, God is working!