I just returned from a mission trip to India (or at least that’s where I think I went).
Here is what happened …
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The scammers have been getting more sophisticated about tricking me to pick up the phone. When they call, my phone now regularly shows numbers of cell phones in my area.
My kids sometimes use their friends’ phones when their own phones are dead. I don’t like to ignore my kids, so I pick up when these numbers show up on an incoming call.
Today, I hesitantly picked up the phone knowing it could be another warranty on my car expiring, or worse, the IRS being after me.
The clicks gave it away. I listened carefully to the voice on the other end and calmed my spirit.
I tried to be as gentle as I could.
“No, I am not responding to your offer, but want to ask you if you know Jesus.” I said.
“Pardon, ma’am?” a man with an Indian accent replied.
“I know you don’t like what you are doing. God sees you and doesn’t like that you are taking money from people either. Would you lie like this to your mother or your sister? You would not like it if someone did this to them. Get out of this business and seek God! I am praying for you to find the Light.” I was still calm.
“You are right. I don’t want to be here!” the man’s voice sounded like he was looking over his shoulder.
Then he said it,
“Please pray for me!”
“What is your name? And don’t tell me it’s John!” I laughed.
“No, it’s not John.” He chuckled, but hesitated to say anything else.
“Never mind. Don’t tell me your name. God knows you well. I am going to pray now … if that is ok with you!”
“Yes, please, pray for me. I want to get out of this business. Please pray.” His voice was quiet.
I told him that God would provide for him if he was going to seek him.
Then I prayed for him. He stayed on the line until I finished begging God to make His Light, the Light of Life, known to this man who was walking in darkness. Then “John” thanked me – over and over.
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If by any chance you are heading to India anytime soon, and if you talk to “John”, let him know I am still praying for him.
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone
who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respect”
1 Peter 3:15
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(Devo and Pictures by Heidi Viars, 2020)
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You rock. 🙂 Praying for “John”…..
Thanks for reading and praying, dear friend ❤️
How awesome is He , to arrange this for John! And he probably thought it was going to be another day like the day before . :). No way! God’s ambassador , Heidi , was taking calls and giving out Good News and prayer! Blessings and love as you minister wherever He leads!
Thanks, sweet Debbie … May He open our eyes to those opportunities all the time. Much love your way, friend
You know what? I don’t often think to share posts, but this is one of those posts that really needs to be shared. Sharing via Facebook. Thanks again. ☺
Thanks for that vote of confidence and for sharing. I would love to visit you on Facebook, but I am not mature enough for most social media …. maybe when I grow up 🤣
Wow! Amazing and encouraging. Thanks for sharing. We need so many more of these reminders that if we just speak and trust in God’s power He will move in our faith. ❤
Can you imagine what would happen if we all answered those calls like that? I am smiling thinking about it. Yes, He does the moving ❤️
It would indeed be amazing! ☺ ❤ Thanks again for sharing and inspiring acts of His love.
Oh Heidi, this is so beautiful. I love how God connected you with “John” and gave you the opportunity to offer him hope in Jesus. You are a beautiful testimony of His love.
Oh Jeanne, I’m not quite sure what to do with your statement of being “a beautiful testimony”. I think I might show it to my kids … as I just tried to settle an argument in my house between two teenage girls … YIKES. 😂 I think we can agree on Jesus being beautiful and that we (all) are in dire need of Him. Hugs to you, dear friend 🤗
Absolutely wonderful!!!!!
Thank you, Anthony! I loved reading at your place. Thanks for visiting here 🙂
Lord, have Your way in our lives! We pray that You will forever use our hearts as the parchment on which you write, and the canvas on which you paint!
“Our loving Creator and Maker, help us to be willing to display your beautiful art in us and others. May we be the pen, the canvas, the instrument and the song, always pointing to you!”
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In Jesus name, Amen!!!
Loved!
Loved!!
Loved!!!
Thank you for reading. Loved that you loved it ❤️
Great job, Heidi. We must always look for opportunities to plant seeds. The poor guy was probably yelled and cussed at ten times before your call. I think you would make a great Online Missionary for Global Media Outreach. I’ve been an Online Missionary with them since 2011. I have communicated and helped to disciple people all over the world. It’s rewarding. I have made friends, too. I have a longtime friend in Burundi, Africa and a Ph.D. student in Dubai.
Thanks, Brother! We have to talk about that, my friend!
Thanks for reading and continuing to inspire me to plant God’s Word and Gospel … much love from here to you and Mary!
Wow thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes. Praise God.🙏🙏
Thank you for reading and caring 🤗🙏
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Praise God!!! This is beautiful!
Thanks for reading, Linda … Praying for more of these kind of calls 🙂
I don’t quite understand what the call was all about but presume there was something potentially fraudulent about it. That was such a beautiful thing to do, to challenge and then offer your prayer. Let’s hope circumstances and pressure from others does not find him returning to whatever he was doing.
No matter what happens, precious seeds where sown and the Lord is perfectly able to take things from there.
God bless you! 😃
I have been getting a lot of scamming calls. It seems that once you have been identified as a “live” number, calls increase about car warranties expiring, credit card offers, and even the IRS investigating you. The Lord has been convicting me to see the people (usually from overseas) as lost and in need of Christ’s redemption. Thanks for your comment!
No problem Heidi and thanks for enlightening me. 😃
What a Spirit-inspired, God-honoring thing to do, Heidi! You may never know the final outcome of that prayer–until you enter heaven. I have a feeling John will be there, based on his profuse gratitude for your prayer, and because you were responsive to the Spirit’s leading. Oh! And I “see” others there because of John, and still others there because of those people…the ripple effect can be far-reaching as you know!
It was a great conversation … I also pray that we will connect again, namely in heaven. Thanks, Nancy, for you part in showing the Light of Christ to those around you 🙂
Good for you Heidi! Excellent idea. Blessings!
Thanks, Bruce, for reading. I tired to imagine today what would happen if all Christians would share Christ on every one of these calls.
wow! I love this, what a beautiful idea:-) Thank you for sharing your experience
Thanks for reading, Diane. God is good 🙂