#ReflectCampusMissions - Almost Pursuaded

"'King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.' Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?' Paul replied, 'Short time or long--I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.'" Acts 26:27-29

One conversation Paul had with a King about following Jesus is definitely a short time. What about 5 or 10 conversations? Probably still a short time. Well, I would guess I've had about 50 conversations with the Chinese grad student, Yiming, over the last two years about the Bible and Jesus. (She's the one in the white shirt in the pictures). That's closer to a long time I'm sure. The first year was almost all about learning English. We read the gospel of John. Learning words, comprehending sentences, talking about American culture. I would share my faith when I could but I honestly didn't feel like I was getting anywhere with her spiritually. But I've been down this road before. It takes time to get the seed into foreign soil. You meet them where they are, genuinely help them with their English, invite them to meals and gatherings to meet other international students. I helped her with her car. We talked about some of her dating questions and friendships. God is such a foreign idea in Chinese culture. It takes time to change a worldview.

The second year we finished John and then focused on the book of Acts. I could tell our conversations were deepening and getting more spiritual. She got to read about the death and resurrection of Jesus for the first time. She asked spiritual comprehension questions not just English ones. She gave thoughtful answers when I asked her questions. It was huge that she accepted my invitation to come to our church a few weeks ago for the first time--first time in our church building in two years. She brought her boyfriend. I shared a sermon on baptism from Matthew 3. We had talked about baptism before as a commitment to follow Jesus, trusting in his death and resurrection. I knew what I wanted to ask her the next Wednesday when we met at our usual time. "Do you think you are ready to commit your life to Jesus?" I had been hoping and fasting and praying that she was ready. She told me that right now she needed to focus on finishing school, graduating and preparing for their big move to California. But she said when she got settled, she would refocus on Jesus and consider what she should do. I was disappointed but I also understood. It wasn't quite time. She talked to me about a Chinese church she's already found in San Jose. I'm praying it's a good, healthy church that will help her commit to Jesus. I told her that when she did decide to follow Jesus to please get a picture or video for me. She smiled and nodded like she would definitely do that. It made me feel like it is going to happen, it just wouldn't be here. She was almost persuaded.

I could certainly be tempted to think I failed, but I hope you see, with me, the progress that has been made and the planting and watering that we did while she was here. There were a lot of "firsts." I am comforted to remember again it is not my job to give the increase. That is God's job. But I did my job and I hope someday fairly soon, I will get to share that picture or video with you!

Please pray for Yiming and Rubai for their new life in San Jose and the new life we hope for them in Jesus.

For the Kingdom and the campus,

Casey