I enjoy all encounters with students, but one event stands out in my mind. One Sunday I was invited to address the youth after the church service. I didn't know what was expected of me, so I was praying fervently for direction. Then a thought came to me: 'if you can preach only one message to them, then preach about God's heart for lost people.' I challenged them to imitate Jesus and become true friends of sinners. As I preached I sensed that this was a timely message.
It was only after the meeting that I realized that this had been a 'divine appointment'. Two girls came up to me. One had invited the other and the latter came thinking that for once she'd get to hear a local preacher (ironically a local preacher was instead preaching in the place of her American pastor that day, but she didn't know it!) The girls said they were touched by the message and that they wanted to make a difference among their peers this year- so they asked me to pray for them. Only the night before the leaders and I had talked about the importance of identifying younger students and getting them thinking early in their education about being salt and light in the lives of their unbelieving friends. Suddenly here were two Christians, freshmen, wanting to do this very thing! I was simply amazed at God's timing, and humbled that I got to be used by Him.
