Her name was Barbara. Robin and I met her in a cramped t-shirt shop across from Wakiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was the clerk behind the counter, an attractive dark-skinned woman about 30 years old. After some small talk about where we were from and what we were doing in Hawaii (we were there on an evangelism team with YWAM, Youth With A Mission), she blurted out through her tears, "Will you pray for me?" As she continued to sob at the cash register, we placed our hands on her shoulder and began to pray. She shared about her brokeness (not everything is as it appears in "Paradise"), and we encouraged her to allow Jesus to bring healing to her life. She thanked us with great sincerity and gave us a picture of herself to remind us to pray for her, which we have continued to do as God has brought her to mind. That was over 20 years ago now. A simple conversation led to a life-changing encounter for us, and possibly Barbara.

We were just two college kids on an afternoon "off" looking for t-shirts, but God turned it into an opportunity to care for a hurting person. I believe God gives us those opportunities all the time to care for hurting people. They are all around us. We simply need to be ready and willing to be used of God. That's why I'm so excited about the topic I'm teaching in Loaves and Fishes on Thursdays, Becoming a Contagious Christian. It's simply looking for those God-given opportunities and being faithful to demonstrate the love of Jesus, as the Holy Spirit leads us. Pat Joslin shared about such a "Divine encounter" last Tuesday evening at our Prayer and Praise Service.

Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago, offers this prayer to God every morning before he first gets up—literally before his feet hit the floor in his bedroom: "My life is in your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward you today—I promise to cooperate in any way I can. If you want me to say a word for you today, I'll do that. If you want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood, by your Spirit's power I will. I'm fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit."

Life is an adventure when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit!

Mark

P.S. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday for our Fall Kick-Off Celebration and potluck luncheon! Blessings!