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| photo by Sharaya Drake |
During a recent OM Arts outreach in Slovakia with the Bill Drake Band alongside an OM DanceLink performance, Mary had the opportunity to lead a woman to Christ. Months before Mary's mission trip, she
prayed that the Lord would use her to reveal the heart of God to someone. Mary was part of the outreach team that accompanied the OM Arts missions trip.
Towards the end of the concert, Mary overheard a man loudly saying "Katolícka!" while pointing his finger at the woman. She appeared to be in her forties, wore dark clothing, and sat lifelessly on a plaza bench. More notable however, was the empty, blank look on her face. Apparently the man was chiding the woman for being a Catholic and praying to Mary, Jesus' mother.
The man asked Mary to speak to her. Her name was Aranka. Mary, having come from a Catholic background, knew how sensitive one could be when one’s beliefs, true or false, are challenged. Gently, Mary explained to Aranka the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Aranka listened carefully, asked Mary questions, and stated bluntly that she had no joy in her life. Mary told her that if she had Jesus living in her heart she would know true joy. To Mary's surprise and delight, she promptly asked how she could get Jesus into her heart! Mary reviewed the Gospel essentials and asked if she understood and believed, and Aranka indicated she did. Then Mary prayed that God would reveal Himself to her. Mary excitedly told her that she had now passed over from death to life and she was now a part of the family of God. The two women briefly talked about praying, reading the Bible, meeting with other believers, and Mary gave her information about the local church.
Aranka thanked Mary and for the first time during their encounter, Aranka's face softened and then she smiled.
prayed that the Lord would use her to reveal the heart of God to someone. Mary was part of the outreach team that accompanied the OM Arts missions trip.
Towards the end of the concert, Mary overheard a man loudly saying "Katolícka!" while pointing his finger at the woman. She appeared to be in her forties, wore dark clothing, and sat lifelessly on a plaza bench. More notable however, was the empty, blank look on her face. Apparently the man was chiding the woman for being a Catholic and praying to Mary, Jesus' mother.
The man asked Mary to speak to her. Her name was Aranka. Mary, having come from a Catholic background, knew how sensitive one could be when one’s beliefs, true or false, are challenged. Gently, Mary explained to Aranka the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Aranka listened carefully, asked Mary questions, and stated bluntly that she had no joy in her life. Mary told her that if she had Jesus living in her heart she would know true joy. To Mary's surprise and delight, she promptly asked how she could get Jesus into her heart! Mary reviewed the Gospel essentials and asked if she understood and believed, and Aranka indicated she did. Then Mary prayed that God would reveal Himself to her. Mary excitedly told her that she had now passed over from death to life and she was now a part of the family of God. The two women briefly talked about praying, reading the Bible, meeting with other believers, and Mary gave her information about the local church.
Aranka thanked Mary and for the first time during their encounter, Aranka's face softened and then she smiled.
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