My coworker (Josue) and I (Kevin) decided to spend some time doing outreach in Masaya, the big city closest to the training center. While we were there we were praying for opportunities to share the good news about Jesus, the Lord brought Santiago our way. Santiago Mercado is a self-employed merchant who sells various things to the tourists and locals around the Central Park area.
I asked him if we could have a moment of his time to share some good news. He agreed so I started with this statement: “God loves you so much regardless of what you have or haven’t done and wants you to have eternal life in heaven with him.” Then asked him an open question: “What do you think is necessary to be saved from eternal condemnation?” He said that we must do good works, love our neighbors, go to church and keep God’s commandments. I told him that it is certainly true here on earth that we have to earn everything by working hard. Eternal salvation, however, is a free gift! “For by grace we are saved, through faith (in Jesus), it is the GIFT of God, not by works, so no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) From there we used the gospel cube to guide our conversation. He said he has gone to church and all his life he has heard that you have to do all of those good works to be saved. From our conversation He understood that the Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift trough trusting in Jesus alone. This was the first time he had ever heard this good news and he responded eagerly in prayer.
Now I want to ask you to join with me as we PRAY for our brother Santiago Mercado. He is our new baby brother in Christ. Pray for him as he grows in his relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Kevin,
