By Eddie Adalpe, CBF field personnel
I have been wrestling with feelings of disappointment because after almost nine years in Spain, it is difficult to see tangible, quantifiable impacts of our work here. Friends have tried to help me understand that my investment in those we have been ministering to has made an impact in so many lives, and yet I am not satisfied.
They all point me to 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 where it reminds us that some will plant seeds, others will water, but only God gives the increase. Somewhere along the way someone will come along and see the fruits of other’s labors. That still does not satisfy me.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Corinthians 3: 6-9
During our 14 years in India leaders were trained, churches were planted, children were educated and taken care of and the ministry not only continued after we left, but it flourished. Today, the churches we planted are going strong, and the kids are now grownups with well paid jobs and the education level of the communities has more than doubled.
A couple of weeks ago, we were reminded about how Jeremiah spent 40 years prophesying without much success and Haggai came along and had instant success. We have not been here remotely close to 40 years, but we feel like we have nothing quantifiable to show.
The following week, we had a brand-new believer from Pakistan visit our prayer service. When we heard his testimony, we started speaking Hindi with him. Hindi and Urdu are very similar, so he felt at home. We asked if we could pray for him, and he agreed. I put my hands on him, and he started sobbing. He said he had never cried in public, but he said that when I laid my hands on him, he felt that his conversion was confirmed. He had had a dream, and he was to seek a Christian. When he attended a church in another city, and he repented of his sins but was still having slight doubts. When we prayed for him, he was assured that he was on the right path. I was overjoyed but soon thought of the people that have been working with him. I don’t know how long they have been working and praying with him and here I come, and he feels confirmed. I guess it was my turn to be like Haggai.