APOSTOLIC News

Brazil – February 3, 2010.  Camili has no last name.  She lives aside a highway, down an embankment. Her sad dark chocolate eyes tell her story louder than words: she is barely fifteen… she is a prostitute.

I saw her for the first time as we drove to an afternoon church service.  She was on the edge of the highway exposing herself to potential customers.  In a flash I rode past her… never to forget her sad eyes.  Then, later that week we saw her again, getting out of some car.  Her eyes were still dark and sad.

Then, a strange set of events brought Camili closer to God: an Apostolic youth group began strategizing for her soul!

That is exactly what Jesus did when he “must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4); Jesus strategized for that woman’s soul (could she also be described as a prostitute?).

In reality, there is more to soul winning than merely “praying”, expecting the Lord to perform some “miracle” wrought by a supernatural force that compels a sinner to come running into a church service.  Although such scenarios still happen in a grandiose manner, I fear that we have become too dependent on “letting God do all the work”, while we just stand basking in the expectant thrill of our “no sweat/no work” prayers.

Our prayers should provoke a BURDEN for the lost deep inside our soul!  A burden that incites us into ACTION!  Perhaps you felt a burden for that young man stocking shelves at Walmart.  What are you going to do about it? Don’t just pray for him asking God to send an angel into his life!  Strategize and put that plan into ACTION!  You be that angel you prayed for!

Back to sad-eyed Camili.  The young group also noticed the child prostitute as they were on their way to witness to some crack addicts down the highway.  Quietness settled in the van: sad eyes burn tender hearts from a long way off.

As they finished their witnessing mission, someone in the group mentioned their burden for the “innocent” hooker plying her body by the highway.  “Why not finish the day reaching for her also as we return home?” became the yearning of the youth group.

That is when the strategy session began!

How many cars are we in? (Three).  How many apostolic girls are in the group? (five). Who will do the backup and cover the ladies as they approach the girl? (the pastor, the men and Sergio, an apostolic undercover cop).

In the cars!  Let’s go!!!

Everything went as planned. Well, almost.

The three cars approached the “drop zone” hidden behind a diesel truck.  There she is!

The first car pulled off past Camili.  She turned to approach the “customer” when the second car pulled off and the young Apostolic girls poured out of the car.  The third car, back behind, kept a watchful eye.

The Gospel “transfer” began when Camili, surrounded by girls, began hearing about Jesus… for the FIRST TIME!

“My name is Camili”, she answered to the first question… then she went silent as the Gospel flowed out into her ears.  Camili’s tears began mixing with the water from the River of Life.

Out of the blue, she turned and ran down the embankment, leaving the girls wondering why.  It soon became apparent: her pimp was approaching from the other side of the highway.

Back at the church, another strategy session began.  It was decided that next time Sergio, the undercover cop, would approach the zone first.  He would “temporarily” detain the pimp for questioning… then the rest of the team would move in.

Meanwhile, down at Walmart, that young man stocking shelves on the midnight shift is awaiting your strategic move to reach for his soul.  Are you going? Or, are you going to stay home just praying about it?

John Bradley Lambeth