My wife and I were Southern Baptist missionaries to Indonesia. We were assigned to the Bandung station where we were to study the Indonesia language for about a year. Only a few months into the study the Lord asked me to witness to the gardener. I tried to excuse myself by telling the Lord I would not know what to say or how to say it. Surely it would be best to wait until I had “mastered” the language. The Lord reminded me that I was called to Indonesia to share the gospel and there was no need to put my calling on hold. It was much more important that I respond to His leading than it was to worry about my reputation as a linguist. Besides, I could use the Roman Road approach since I could find the verses in the Indonesian Bible. It would only be a matter of reading the verses, and the gardener could follow along in the scripture.

This approach seemed to make sense until I tried it. My poor reading of the verses quickly became a joke. The man tried his best to live up to the Indonesian custom of not laughing at another person’s mistakes. He did his best not to smile and quickly covered his mouth with his hand when a smile unavoidably appeared on his face. Then, he ventured a suggestion. Perhaps I could point out the verses to be read and he could read the verses out loud for me. It was a great idea. I wish I had thought of it.

Soon it became apparent that the Holy Spirit was going to deal with him in spite of my shortcomings. He stopped reading at Romans 5:8 which reads,” …God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He looked up at me with a tear in his eye and nodded his head. I asked him if he understood. He nodded again. I asked him if he would like to call on Jesus. I pointed to Romans 10:13, which reads,” … Everybody who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” He agreed and we slipped to our knees. I prayed in English and asked the Lord to save him. He prayed in his native dialect, and the Lord saved him. God honors His Word and uses the servant who is available.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Th. 5:24

True Story from the book “Not Return Void” Copyright © 2000 H. Warren Rice All Rights Reserved Used by permission Book Inquiries: warren-bette-rice@juno.com