OUTREACH, SALVATION AND THEN… BLOWS LOL

Destination: Cape Verde – a picturesque island country in the central Atlantic Ocean.

Outreach / evangelism is something you cannot do without as a missionary. It is the very essence of your call.
Beautiful day it was. I was on outreach as usual, just before a service.
On this particular day, my preaching partner (it’s always easier to go in pairs) was a bit indisposed so I had to go alone.

I met this gentleman sitting on a pavement of an uncompleted building.
I said to myself, ‘let me preach to him and take him to church’.
He was so receptive. And oh how I preached! I poured out my heart and eventually led him to Christ!
If you’ve ever won a soul, you know how exciting that is.

So well, as I always did, I had to get his details to help me follow him up. He said he couldn’t remember his phone number so I decided to give him the phone to type his number (maybe typing it would trigger the memory).
He tried typing some numbers but told me he didn’t remember so I took the phone from him.
Then he told me he had remembered so I should give him the phone to type.
It immediately it dawned on me that this guy may be up to something.
But for some reason I gave him the phone. He was my new soul after all wasn’t he?
Before I knew it, the guy had gotten up and tried to dash with the phone!
I grabbed him and struggled with him on the ground, actually to the point of exchanging blows!
I know you’re probably thinking ‘is this guy a missionary or a wrestler’. I asked myself that same question later when I was recounting the incident and concluded that I was very much a missionary who just happened to be very concerned about losing a major tool for the work – my phone! Lol.

Anyway so back to the scene… He said I should allow him to get up so he gives me the phone, I said no. I didn’t see why he couldn’t give it to me me while still on the ground.
So believe it or not I bit him (that’s all I could think of in that moment) to release the phone and then sped off.

I wish I could tell you he left me alone but he did not.
He actually came after me with a huge stone, threw it at me and it landed on my shoulder blade. I dislocated my toe and shoulder. I couldn’t move my arm or walk well for days.
What an ending right???
But at least I got the phone! Lol
An adventurous outreach indeed it was.
I’m much better now and yes I’m still going a-preaching!!! It is totally worth my every breath!
If you think this was brutal, take a moment to think about what Jesus went through on the cross to buy your salvation.
I’m looking forward to meeting that guy in heaven. I have just one question for Him: ‘wasn’t the GIFT of salvation enough for you?’ Loool

Glory Okokon (Missionary – Cape Verde)