Why
not? Probably seems like such an oddity to have such a title as that, but I
have come to know this phrase all too well while being here. Why not learn a
brand new language and culture? Why not join a soccer team with the hope of
checking off a task on the bucket list? Why not befriend the many here in
Manakara to establish growing relationships for the next missionary? And most
of all, why not extend the hand of God through your words and actions in order
that some might see the truth and be saved?
I
should have written this blog a lot sooner when the joyous moment occurred, but
I guess this will do. I’m pretty positive that ya’ll have heard of our friend
Fanza who is the owner of Om Snack (one of our favorite restaurants).
Well….’why not’ happens to be a phrase that we know her by more or less. Haha
When we asked if she could teach us how to make her delicious bread, she
grinned from ear to ear and said, “Why not!!!” When we asked if she would come
to church with us one Sunday she laughed and said, “Why not!” And when the
girls asked if they could work at her restaurant and serve the customers with
her she cracked a smile, laughed for a moment and said, “Why not!!” The phrase
has almost become an inside joke between her and our group and we have heard it
more and more as she continues to open up to us. She has been a wonderful friend
here and has had such honesty and a willingness to be real with us that I
cannot thank God enough for her.
And now…..to the ‘why not’ I would argue
is the best one I’ve heard yet! This last week I realized how little time was
left to ask her if she really knew who Jesus was and finally mustered up the
courage to present the gospel to her. She had been coming weekly to church with
us over the past two months and attended the church (alone mind you) when we
were gone on break. It impressed me that she had such commitment so quickly in
the process so I didn’t think to ask her right away about her faith. I knew
from previous situations that her family was Catholic, but she didn’t fully
agree with how they ran things so she didn’t claim Catholicism herself. When I
asked her about our church she said she liked it quite a bit and bluntly
stated, “If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be coming with you.” (it was very
humorous!!)
Anyways…with this simple understanding I
knew that she was at least close if not already a Christian (mainly the
willingness, commitment, and questioning of religion gave it away). And it
couldn’t hurt to ask the question if she was. So for 5 days straight I went to
her restaurant with another task (giving her worship music and American music)
and took the time while she downloaded the music to ask her questions. I drew
out the two paths illustration and tried to help her see the two paths that
were possible to take. Unfortunately I forgot my bible the first day so it
didn’t really click with her. The next day I made sure to bring my bible and
asked her to bring her Malagasy bible with her. We went through the various
verses in Matthew and Romans as well as Psalms, John and Galations. She read
each of the verses in Malagasy and asked me questions if she had any….
fortunately there weren’t many. Haha By the end of it all she came to the
conclusion that traveling down a broad path leading to destruction was not her
cup of tea and she recognized that Jesus was the only way for the narrow path
that led to life (Matt 7:13,14) I couldn’t help but ask her in that moment,
“So, what do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus is your Savior and the only
way to have a relationship with God?” And her answer was almost too
perfect….”Why not!!!!!!!” It seemed to really make sense for her and I could
see it as I looked at her facial expression in the moment. I was so excited!!!!
Now she is very young in faith and you
cannot always be sure what a person’s heart really says, but I do believe that
on Wednesday, October 30th, she became part of God’s family. With
that being said, I ask that you pray for our brand new sister in Christ as she
starts to learn more and more about who God is and what it truly means to live
by faith. She is a wonderful lady and we are very blessed to call her our
friend!! Oh and here is a picture so that ya’ll have a face with a name! haha
In him,
Matt
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