While passing out water on a hot New Orleans day, two teenagers met a woman who had literally just prayed, “God, do you even care about me?” Their meeting changed her life.
It’s amazing how something as simple as a bottle of water can change a life.
When this group of 109 students and volunteers came to New Orleans, they were ready for anything. So we split them into smaller groups and sent them throughout the city.
Some painted and sorted clothes. Others did doing VBS clubs. Some went prayer walking. But all groups at some point in the week, got on the street trolleys and explored the city while searching for people to share the love of Jesus with.
Their assignment was to take bottles of water with them and pass them out to people—while telling them of the Living Water that would refresh their every thirst.
On a hot afternoon, one group ended up on the riverfront with water in hand, ready to talk to whoever they could.
A couple of the 15-year-old girls in the group were naturally a bit reluctant about just walking around and handing out water. Naturally, they were very nervous and did not know what to do or how to have a meaningful conversation with a stranger. So, my wife, Becca, pulled the girls aside and encouraged them to pray and ask God who they should give the water to.
One of the girls said a simple prayer asking God to show them who to talk to. As soon as she said, “Amen,” they turned to walk down the sidewalk, and to their immediate surprise there was a woman, whom they almost ran into. So, of course, one of the girls extended a water bottle and asked if she would like some water.
Before taking the water, the woman said, “It’s not really about the water, is it?”
The girls replied, “Well, we wanted to just give you some water for your day.”
The lady pressed in with further skepticism and asked, “What’s this really about?”
The girls then explained to her that they were there with a church group, and that they believed that God wanted them to give her the water and offer to pray for her if she had any need.
The lady nearly began to cry and began to explain that just 30 seconds before she was in the bathroom praying what she expected to be her last prayer.
She’d told God that He would have to show her that He still cares, because she was dealing with some tough issues and ready to give up on God’s help.
God sent Living Water to her almost immediately.
The girls said that after praying for her, the lady had an entire new presence about her. She clearly understood that God was not done with her, and that He heard her.
It is amazing to think that God uses in these ways!
The 15-year-old girls were scared to walk up to a stranger and start talking, but they realized this is what God wanted. They understood that God can use us in great ways even for people we call “strangers.”
You never know how God might use you to be His voice, His love, His care, His answer.
Is God calling you or your student ministry to serve Him in New Orleans? Click HERE for youth group trips and HERE for adult trips summer 2016!
