I was eager to get home from Saturday Skate Bible Study today to share this miraculous story with all of you who helped during the Bike and Skate Fest 2011 back on March 26th through prayer, financial support, volunteer work and/or planning. This is the fruit of our labour that will leave you in awe of the miracle working God we serve.
"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Hebrews 2:3b-4
A youth at the Bike and Skate Fest 2011 heard the gospel and Alex Vestal's testimony and wanted to answer the call for salvation, but was not sure of the existence of God. Instead he prayed and asked God to show Himself real by healing his brother of a stomach tumor. Two days later, just before the scheduled surgery the doctor was astounded to find that the tumor was gone and the surgery not necessary. The doctor had no explanation. Jonathan then knew God was real and told his atheist family that God had healed his brother. They denied it and credited it to the uncomprehending issues of life.
Jonathan came to Skate Bible Study today and bought a Reliance skateboard with Jesus on it. He shared with us what God did for his brother. He is desperate to make his family and friends see the truth and begged us to take him to church so he could get saved. He is eager to learn about God and yet has never even held a Bible. Paloma and Stephanie translated for us and Addison led him in the sinners prayer right there in the dirt next to where we skate. Jonathan was stunned that such a thing could be done outside of an organized service. He wept the entire time we prayed over him.
The Sozo Skate team, which consists of our family, Paloma Rivera, and Stephanie Gonzalez, shared the truth with Jonathan for hours today and watched as God opened his understanding and he comprehended the scriptures. He was stunned and overwhelmed with joy to learn all of the things we taught him. He pulled truth out of us. It was the sweetest salvation experience I have ever witnessed. With complete abandonment and child like faith Jonathan received from His Saviour.
He hadn't known that Jesus died for him or for the whole world. He exclaimed, "Jesus died for me? What?" He was ashamed of his sin and then marveled, "All of my sins from 16 years are all gone? What? I am clean?" A friend commented on his Reliance board and Jonathan immediately said,"That's Jesus. He's in my life now." God put it on someone's heart to buy the board for Jonathan before he was able to pay. Jonathan was told it was a gift from God. He wondered at how much God could do for him, "He saved me and he is giving me a board? Wow!" He realized today that he would have gone to hell without accepting the free gift of salvation. He is in awe that he will spend eternity in heaven with a new body after he leaves this earth. He asked if it was like Dragon Ball Z. lol Addison knew that answer. He now knows he is God's son, the friend and bride of Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is leading and comforting him.
He shared that he had never known happiness until today. He had money and yet it did not satisfy. He had friends and yet he had still felt lonely. He use to cut himself and showed us the scars. Now he knows he will never be left or forsaken and that God's love for him will never change no matter how he behaves. He thanked us for coming to Guatemala because if we hadn't he says he would have never known Jesus. He didn't know whether to scream, laugh or cry. We told him that all are appropriate. Today is the beginning of a new life for him and we want to thank all of you for being a part of this miracle of salvation. Tomorrow Jonathan will be loving children at a local orphanage with us through skate and face painting. Next Sunday he will be going to church with us. Within two weeks we will open up our home and our discipleship classes will start so we can help teens grow in the knowledge of God's Word.
On March 26th, God heard the cry of a hurting and seeking teen and showed Himself real to him by healing his brother. Before we ever knew Jonathan, God called us to go to Guatemala anticipating Jonathan's cry and has called many to come along side of us to help in various ways. We just want to say thank you for answering yes to that call. We could not do what we are doing without you and your prayers, support and work. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making to fulfill the great commission to go out into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. There is honestly no greater joy than this.
Remember the Jonathan s that may be surrounding you while you go about your regular day right where God has placed you. You have a truth to share that may change a person's life for eternity.
YEAH!!!! Praise God!!!
Chantelle and Family
The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com
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