Met Isaac; Missed Abraham

One of our assignments on a recent mission trip to Swaziland, Africa was homestead visitation. We were working in an area of Swaziland where there are few churches and where people have very little exposure to the Gospel message. The Swazi people are gracious and friendly, and readily welcome even strangers into their homes. In fact, they count it as an honor that someone would make the time to visit.

Our assignment on this particular morning, a Saturday morning, was to concentrate in an area where we were conducting evangelistic services in the evenings under a tent; invite people to the evening services; and to speak a word of witness if the opportunity presented itself. As several of us walked along a dirt path, we came upon a homestead where two young men were working in the yard. Our translator asked if we could visit, and willingly permission was granted. The older of the young men invited us into the house.

Once inside we discovered that this young Swazi spoke very good English. So, there was no need for us to go through the translator. We spoke directly to him and he to us, while the other young Swazi—whom we learned was a nephew—sat quietly in the background. As introductions were made, the young man told us his name was Isaac. We commented on the fact that his name had such biblical significance. Then he told us that his father’s name was Abraham and that he was a committed Christian and would be sorry he missed us—his father wasn’t home. He also told us about a sister in South Africa who was very sick and asked us to pray for her.

As the opportunity presented itself, we asked Isaac about his faith. He told us without hesitation that he was not a believer. We asked if we could share with him from the Bible, and he said: “Of course!” We shared a passage from John 10 where Jesus tells us He is the Good Shepherd who loves His sheep and laid down His life for the sheep. Some of our team members shared their own testimony of Christ at work in their lives. But in the end Isaac, who was never disrespectful or disagreeable, shared that he was not ready to make that decision. We didn’t force the issue, that’s not our style, nor do we believe it to be biblically sound. We continued our conversation, learning more about Isaac and his family.

As we prepared to leave, we asked if we could pray, and in particular pray for his sister in South Africa. Again, permission was freely given. As we departed Bert, our missionary host, asked permission to come again another day and talk some more. Isaac was more than willing to accept Bert’s offer.

That night at the tent one of the ladies who lived nearby, asked if we had visited in the area that morning. I think she saw our vehicle in the area and was simply curious. We told her we had, and without giving details we told her we visited with Isaac. She commented: “Oh, yes Isaac, he loves his women and his marula” (traditional Swazi beer). I will always wonder if Isaac’s love for the things of the world was the reason for his hesitation to follow Christ.

There is one thing for sure, Bert, our missionary friend, knows where Isaac lives. In fact, we marked his homestead with our handheld GPS and saved the coordinates. If I know Bert like I think I do, Isaac hasn’t seen the last of him. But more importantly, God knows where Isaac lives. Moreover, I trust he hasn’t heard the last word from Him!
Blessings,
Jimmy