Although his voice was fading and scratchy, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to talk with our Uber driver. We were getting picked up from a church service that morning. I asked if he was familiar with the church and if he’s been there before. He wasn’t able to attend church the week prior because he was in the hospital. And that’s when he spilled his heart out, sharing his story.
Jorge recently found out about his late diagnosis of stomach cancer. The tumor is currently too big for an operation. He is beginning the process of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor beforehand. He began to talk about his daughter, Rachelle, who is only 8 years old. It’s been a fight for his daughter keeping hope, even going as far as wanting to sell homemade bracelets at her school to raise money for his medical bills. He is worried about paying the house bills, food for the table and her schooling in the midst of it all and not being able to work from the chemotherapy. So he tries to make up for it as an Uber driver. Even though he was losing his voice, he still pushed through to share all the things he was going through.
I was spilling over with tears so moved by his story as I translated it for the girls in the back seat.
We prayed over him and his family aloud, my hand on his shoulder for five whole minutes.
Prayers for a miracle that his cancer would be gone.
Prayers for the doctors and medical staff over his case.
Prayers for financial support in this difficult time.
Prayers for his daughter and for her to have hope an strength.
By the end of it, he was wiping tears from his eyes as his hands were on the wheel, focusing on the road.
He shared that he had prayed earlier for God to put angels in his car when he left to work. His daughter had been trying to convince him not to work today and to rest. But he just couldn’t afford to stay back and it broke his heart to see his daughter like that. So he was beyond grateful that God answered his prayers and made it worth working today.
At this point we arrived to our destination and collectively were able to give him extra money out of loving obedience that the Lord put on our hearts individually. He was in absolute shock and sheer gratefulness. He gave us a big hug and told us that we had no idea how much this meant to him.
I felt moved to share Jorge’s story because I want you to take a moment to think. What would it be like if we shared Jesus with the random Uber driver that no one says a word to? Will we ever get pass shallow conversations about the weather? What if the kingdom of God looks like asking strangers for their stories and praying for them in their struggles? Isn’t this what humanity is about? Showing one another love, even in a stranger’s car?
My challenge is to share your faith, even if it’s in a time span of 10 short minutes. Go deep with a stranger and offer them hope and comfort. Truly, what the enemy sets out to seem as inconvenient and awkward will end up as a huge blessing of encouragement in your day.
I am only $770 away from my next fundraising goal of hitting $5,000. I am so blessed that God provides for me to stay on the field and it wouldn’t happen without the love and obedience of those who have contributed to my missions journey. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with me! Every little bit brings me closer!
When I saw the title of this message, I thought at first you were sharing the story of Duber Rojas of Codescol, who has stomach cancer. I don’t know if you saw this in Mark Wittig’s most recent Club News. I will keep Jorge and Duber in my prayers.
Thank you for being such a servant of God.
What another incredible story, Erica! You are so in tune w/every one you meet! This was truly what Matthew Kelly calls “holy moments!” You experience these daily-because your eyes are wide open to His message of truth and compassion! I cont to pray for your continued safety and guidance doing God’s Holy work! Love you!!
I continue to be amazed by the heart felt stories you write about people of this world that face so much hardships on a daily bases and have so little but yet are so grateful for something so simple as someone to sit and listen, share a hug or offers of prayers. It truly is testimony that material wealth is not as meaningful or as powerful as kindness and compassion for one another. So proud of God work you are sharing with this broken world. I continue to pray for you and your team. Love you!! Momma.
Divine encounters with a stranger because you keep your heart open to the Lord.So encouraging!!