Two days prior to writing this blog, Something More School of Ministry went on a treasure hunt. As we walked the campus, we stumbled upon a group of five guys taking turns smoking hookah and walking a slackline (think of a tightrope tied between two trees that hangs three feet off the ground). Leanne, one of the SMSOM students approached these guys asking about their slackline and hookah. After introducing herself, she related to them like a mother, striking up a conversation, asking about their majors, where they were from, and their interests. They asked Leanne if she wanted to walk the slackline. I began encouraging her to give it a try. Keeli (who must have been preoccupied with Anneli) did not hear them ask Leanne if she wanted to walk the slackline and, instead, thought they offered her to smoke hookah. This gave Keeli reason to believed I was encouraging Leanne to smoke up! I couldn’t figure out what the big deal was. It was a total Three’s Company scenario – a complete misunderstanding and gap in communication that left us laughing when we finally got on the same page.
Leanne began telling the group of guys about the love of God and how He had an amazing plan for each of them. With all eyes fixed on Leanne, they listened intently. One guy spoke up and thanked us for not shouting at them and calling them pagans like the hellfire preacher does when he comes on campus. Leanne’s response was inspired by the Holy Spirit:
“We just need to pray that he [the hellfire preacher] experiences the love of God too.”
Leanne’s words left everyone stunned. They began nodding in agreement. The young men started to see how limitless the Father’s love was for all people – even those who have a tendency to do us wrong – and how compassion doesn’t cut down someone many would consider a confused, misled enemy in disagreement.
Leanne asked if she could pray for them. She and I sat in the circle around the hookah as she began to pray the most encouraging prayer for their futures, their spouses and families, and gave thanks for the great plans that Jesus has for them. They lifted their heads and began thanking Leanne. One of the guys hugged Leanne and asked if he could be sent one of the photos (below) to show his mother. These students were blessed by the encounter but it blessed us to see the Holy Spirit pour out love and grace through Leanne.
As we left, Leanne said, “I’m excited for their future because God is excited for their future.”
Jonathan Fawcett
