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 Michael with his translator on the left. |
An Experience of a lifetime
July 21 2006 / ShareHim in Benin, Jun. 2 - Jun. 17 '06 #36by Michael Campos
Personal Testimony of Michael Campos.
Michael Campos
Religion Major at Andrews University
Benin Global Evangelism Trip
When the trip to Benin was first mentioned, I had a strong desire to be a part of it. Many of my friends had been a part of the team that went to Zimbabwe the year before and they had many good things to say about it. As I heard them share their experiences, I could sense that the Lord was calling me to take part in this mission. I prayed that if it was His will for me to go, that he would open up the right doors to get me there. God worked a miracle just a couple of days before our departure. It was His plan for me to go and He would see to it that it would happen. There were some financial challenges that almost prevented me from going. As I was in Dr. Russell’s office explaining to him that I didn’t think I was going to be able to go because I didn’t have enough money. Just as I was finishing, the secretary of the department came into the office and told us that someone had called and wanted to donate money for a student to go to Benin. I almost burst into tears of joy. One of my favorite texts came to mind, Rom. 8:28. The Lord was continuously working in my life and He was giving me the assurance that He had a plan for me and that I would not be alone.
The first couple of nights, my translator and I were still getting used to one another. The night that we presented the message of the Gospel, when we spoke of what Jesus had done for us. I could see something different in the eyes of the people. Not many stood for the appeal but many did say that they understood that Jesus paid the price and when we come to him, He takes away our condemnation. Every night after that message was different. More people started coming and many of them began to ask for special prayer. I noticed that little by little they were surrendering their lives to Jesus. They were being more receptive to the word.
Two nights later we presented the message of the judgment. I knew that this would be an important one because many people have a misunderstanding of it. It can seem like a scary thing to stand before the King of the Universe and give an account of all that you have done. I know that this is how I felt before I gained an understanding of it. I went into that night’s message as if I was talking to myself when I was younger and did not know. As we were unveiling the truth on the subject, I could see the happiness on the people’s face.
At the end of the service a couple people approached me with a smile and said thank you. One of the visitors said to the local elders that this was a message of hope and that they no longer have to fear the judgment because they have Jesus by their side defending them.
It is so uplifting to see that night after night their burdens get lighter. All of those things that once troubled them seem to no longer have a hold on them. I was truly blessed to be involved in this mission trip. As was said many times throughout our stay here, this trip was both sowing and reaping. Even though I may not have a large number at my site that are going to be baptized, I know that the word of God which was sowed in their hearts will bear fruit. His word will not return empty. If I have the opportunity to see one or two people follow Christ into the waters of baptism then I will consider myself blessed to witness that glorious event. The work that was done was not in vain, it was successful.
Religion Major at Andrews University
Benin Global Evangelism Trip
When the trip to Benin was first mentioned, I had a strong desire to be a part of it. Many of my friends had been a part of the team that went to Zimbabwe the year before and they had many good things to say about it. As I heard them share their experiences, I could sense that the Lord was calling me to take part in this mission. I prayed that if it was His will for me to go, that he would open up the right doors to get me there. God worked a miracle just a couple of days before our departure. It was His plan for me to go and He would see to it that it would happen. There were some financial challenges that almost prevented me from going. As I was in Dr. Russell’s office explaining to him that I didn’t think I was going to be able to go because I didn’t have enough money. Just as I was finishing, the secretary of the department came into the office and told us that someone had called and wanted to donate money for a student to go to Benin. I almost burst into tears of joy. One of my favorite texts came to mind, Rom. 8:28. The Lord was continuously working in my life and He was giving me the assurance that He had a plan for me and that I would not be alone.
The first couple of nights, my translator and I were still getting used to one another. The night that we presented the message of the Gospel, when we spoke of what Jesus had done for us. I could see something different in the eyes of the people. Not many stood for the appeal but many did say that they understood that Jesus paid the price and when we come to him, He takes away our condemnation. Every night after that message was different. More people started coming and many of them began to ask for special prayer. I noticed that little by little they were surrendering their lives to Jesus. They were being more receptive to the word.
Two nights later we presented the message of the judgment. I knew that this would be an important one because many people have a misunderstanding of it. It can seem like a scary thing to stand before the King of the Universe and give an account of all that you have done. I know that this is how I felt before I gained an understanding of it. I went into that night’s message as if I was talking to myself when I was younger and did not know. As we were unveiling the truth on the subject, I could see the happiness on the people’s face.
At the end of the service a couple people approached me with a smile and said thank you. One of the visitors said to the local elders that this was a message of hope and that they no longer have to fear the judgment because they have Jesus by their side defending them.
It is so uplifting to see that night after night their burdens get lighter. All of those things that once troubled them seem to no longer have a hold on them. I was truly blessed to be involved in this mission trip. As was said many times throughout our stay here, this trip was both sowing and reaping. Even though I may not have a large number at my site that are going to be baptized, I know that the word of God which was sowed in their hearts will bear fruit. His word will not return empty. If I have the opportunity to see one or two people follow Christ into the waters of baptism then I will consider myself blessed to witness that glorious event. The work that was done was not in vain, it was successful.