May 2, 2021: I Could Not Believe It!

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26, KJV).

When I was just beginning ministry, Mary, a very missionary-minded sister, asked me to go with her to a Bible study that took 30 minutes
by bike down an unpaved road. When we arrived, we found a family in extreme poverty. As we began studying the Bible, a mean-looking man suddenly stepped out from behind a curtain with a machete in his hand. I looked at Mary, my eyes urging us to leave. She remained calm and without fear. Fortunately, the man left the room.

When we said goodbye, Mary said, “Tomorrow, we will return.” I whispered to Mary, “I am not coming back tomorrow.” She immediately told me, “You study the Bible, but you do not apply it to your life. [As Matthew 28:20 states], the Lord said He would be with us.”

We visited this family five more times, and every time the man appeared with his machete. I finally made the call for baptism and the lady accepted. She said to me, “I have a surprise for you. My husband also wants to be baptized.” Seeing my surprised face, she explained, “My husband does not know how to read. He always pretended to be angry so you would not ask him anything. But he stayed behind the door and listened to the studies.”

I could not believe it! The Word of God is powerful and can transform hearts. With God, all things are truly possible.

Father, thank You for the privilege of experiencing the power of Your Word. Amen.

Carlos J. Torres is the director of Family Ministries and Personal Ministries for the New Jersey Conference.