Edward and Earl continued

after Sarah told them that God would definitely take away all bad thoughts that they had, they seemed a little more at peace but there was still something holding them back. Edward repeatedly said that he did not want to fall off track. It was so sweet how much he expressed that he by no means wanted to be hypocritical, if he changed, he wanted it to be for good. He did not want to go back to his friends a changed man and a few weeks later be the way he was before again. He just didn't think that God would want anything to do with him since he would probably go back to the way he was before.
and this whole time, I just kept praying, "Lord, speak through me, because my words will mean nothing. Give me the words to say that they need to hear." And seriously, as Edward was speaking, God helped me to remember the story of the lost sheep.
I then told Edward and Earl how we all will stray off the path, because the path is narrow and the devil will always be trying to deter us. The great news is, is that Christ will always leave the 99 other sheep, to come find us, to come find Edward and Earl wherever they have strayed too. and when Jesus finds them, He will pick them up and sling them over his shoulder and carry them back to the correct path.
Their faces lit up and their entire countenance began to change and they truly smiled for the first time.
Shortly after, I told them that I would pray the prayer of salvation and that God knew the desires of their heart and he would hear their prayer. After i prayed, I asked if they wanted to accept Christ and if the prayer i prayed was something that related to what they wanted.
And praise the Lord, they said YES!
i then asked for him to pray it out loud, and adorably he asked if he could repeat it after me.
When I opened my eyes, they could not stop smiling, nor could they contain themselves to sitting in one location, i think they were about to jump out of their seats for real.
Sarah asked where Christ now was, and they said, "in here (and pointed to hearts)."

I was ecstatic to say the least. Just to think, that the angels in heaven were rejoicing and singing praises that 2 more individuals could join them in heaven singing praises to our Father in Heaven.

I said, "wow, guys, just think, NOW, when you die and go to heaven. You'll stand at the gates of heaven and the angel will open the book of life and begin looking for your name, and He'll find it!"
at that moment, Edward jumped up and exclaimed, "and i'll RUN in through those gates!"

oh my goodness, that just makes me teary eyed every time. one of the hardest things i've ever had to do was walk away from those two men without being able to at least leave them a New Testament or something. One of the hardest things i have struggled with this summer is witnessing to random people and not being able to stick with them and help them on their journey to a deeper relationship with our Savior. My heart absolutely breaks when people see the love of God in me and others on my team and we walk away never to see them again. Almost every person I have talked too, particularly Terrence, Edward, and Earl, are so thirsty for true love, for something more than what's on this earth. Never before has it been so evident how ready the harvest is, and how few the workers are. We do not have to go overseas to have plenty of mission opportunities. The next time a homeless person asks you for change, i STRONGLY encourage you to not pass them by. INstead, STOP and ask if they would like a meal or if they would want something better than change, Jesus Christ. And you know what, the homeless people i've met, are really nice. Yes, they may spit food all in your face while they are eating, but you might too, if it's been awhile since your last cheeseburger :)
ok, well i just got on a soapbox a bit, but it's something i have come to feel strongly about since being here.
and back to the struggle i had just leaving people after we witness to them.
I have come to realize that if God can bring a random person like me into someones life, then by all means He can bring someone else into their lives to help lead them in spiritual growth. I must depend on God to do that, because i am nothing and i can't do everything. I must trust God and everything will be ok for Terrence, Edward, Earl, and others who we have witnessed too.

But please pray that all three men will go to the church that we directed them too in their community. So that they may have accountability from other believers so they may stay on track and keep their focus on Christ.

Christ is the light of the world and we should all strive to keep our focus on Him at all times.
PRay unceasingly and Praise Him even more than that for He saved us.