You coming or going? Peru - Day 7

So it's now day 7 and I hadn't really slept for about 24 hours.  In my last blog we reviewed cancelled flights and God's sovereignty.  Flashback to a couple days before and our guide, Adam, was telling us his story and his calling to Peru.  As he told us about how an Atlanta native ended up in Lima, Peru, the theme of his calling became clear: simply ask God what He wants you do - and do it.  Even the smallest step of obedience in our eyes, opens up huge doors for God to work.  Taking it all in, I mentally assented that perhaps sitting next to a total stranger and striking up a conversation, on an airplane, might be ok - under certain circumstances, weather conditions and specific days of the year.  See, it's like this:  I always had this picture of 'Airline Evangelism' as a sales call - one of those Amway deals where it all starts out pleasant enough...small talk, kids' pictures and then WHAM!  You're staring at a catalog trying to find the cheapest option in there (replacement press-on nails are high on the list of the CTTB scale - cheapest things to buy).  But in other times past, God has opened up doors of conversation in my life that have just come so naturally and flowing that it felt like there was no effort involved - and certainly no awkward mental maneuvering.

So there I was, one empty seat between the next passenger over and myself (everyone knows the 'chasm of aisle' deflects all conversation) and as I heard Adam's story linger in my spirit, I looked over and simply asked, "Are you coming or going?"  I could fill three blogs with all the information I learned.  An ambassador to the country of Brazil, my neighbor was in the states sightseeing, hanging with some other Brazilian Ambassador friends before taking his next station in Jamaica.  The flight was two and half hours and we talked the whole time.  We spoke of family and life, politics and sports and helping the poor.  He truly was a joy to speak to and as we parted ways, information was exchanged and it is my prayer that we will continue to correspond.  As he sees the work of God in my life, and the church, perhaps he will be reconsider his announcement early in our conversation, "There is no God." That's my prayer anyway.  For now, it's good to be home.  To understand most of the bulletin boards and store signs around here and feel fairly comfortable that I'm not going to get another Peruvian Americano at Starbucks.  So as you go on your way today, perhaps you will find yourself sitting next to a total stranger. Swallow, breathe and don't be afraid to ask:  You coming or going?

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10