We Need Our Equipment!
In my early days of Latin American missions I was apprentice to an experienced missionary in Mexico. He had planned to show a film in a new slum area. The plan was to show the film in the evening at a tent that was set up for the event.
In the afternoon before the showing of the film, we used those hours to invite people to the tent. We used a Mexican method of inviting people. My friend had a Ford Bronco which had a CB radio. The radio had a feature that was like a public address system. We set a loudspeaker on the front of the truck and drove through the area. An invitation was given to all as we drove down every street we could find. With the loudspeaker blaring, we covered the entire area, inviting people to the evening's event.
As it began to get dark that evening, people started coming from all directions. Nothing else was happening that night, or any night. Soon, it became surprising how many people were gathered at the tent ready to watch the evangelistic picture. After some greetings, some music, and simple announcements my friend started the projector. Something was wrong. It would not work. Everything we could think of was tried. The crowd was getting antsy. Because there was such a long delay in starting the movie, a few people were leaving the meeting.
It was now fully night and I went a ways into the darkness to pray. I said, “God, so many people are here. We invited them and promised them a movie. Now our projector won't work. We desperately need our equipment to work!”
Then, I heard the most shocking thing, “No, you do not!”.
I was totally stupefied. The voice said, “What you need is My power.”
I returned to the tent. My friend had given up on starting the projector. A little apologetic, he announced to the people gathered that he would pray for the people instead. He ministered to their sicknesses and their personal needs.
I saw a man return from the front of the tent's platform to his family which was seated about in the middle. He had just witnessed something which made him astonished. He tried to tell his family about what he had just seen. With the most bizarre look on his face he told them, “ I just saw...it grew out in front of my eyes...just like...you should have seen it...I just can't believe it!”
At least one man was powerfully impacted by the power of God. God was right. Our real need is not for equipment or anything like that. We do not need buildings. They are nice to have. We do not need money or equipment, while it does make many things easier. The real need is to have the reality of God working with us as we share the Gospel.
Oct 11, 2024