in due time.
Agustin Soto holding up a portrait of his younger self.
Above is my grandfather, Agustin Soto. He lives in Santiago Maravatio, Guanajuato. He is 86-years-old and today, he has decided to take on Christ in baptism.
This past summer up at Camp Blue Haven, our camp director, Michael McCoy, gave a devotional where he challenged us to think of someone back home that we want to share the good news with. Normally, I think of a few friends here and there and hope that I can find a way to talk to them. But this time my grandfather came to mind. My heart ached because I knew he was so far away and his health was declining...but I was determined to call my dad and tell him that the next time he went down to Mexico, he needed to talk to his family about Christ.
So, I called my dad during our counselor meeting time and immediately said, "Dad, it's time for you to tell your family about Christ. You need to tell them."
"I know," dad said. "I'm actually going to be spending a month down in Mexico with them and have looked at a church in the area for some support"
His comment left me speechless. I had no idea my father was planning a long trip back to his homeland AND with the intentions of ministering to his family.
After a few weeks, my mom updated me on my dad's trip. She told me about how my dad would take his brothers to the local church, would invite the preacher to minister to my grandfather and how he always ended the night with his family telling bible stories. I was so proud of my dad and how he had followed through with his desire to minister to them. I knew this wasn't easy for him with the fear and possibility of feeling rejected by his family because they wouldn't respond to the good news. But God made him bold and he couldn't stop. And his family was responding.
My dad left Mexico uplifted. The preacher in Guanajuato assured my dad that he would continue the weekly bible studies with my grandfather. And with that, the seed was planted.
A month later (tonight) I'm having dinner with my dad, where he gets a phone call from the Guanajuato preacher about how my grandfather has decided to take on Christ.
And once again, I am reminded of being up at camp, thinking about my grandfather--and yet feeling as if there wasn't a way to reach out to him and tell him about Christ. But what is impossible for man, is possible with God (Luke 18:27). And I am reminded about how His timing is truly perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This event has left me humbled and amazed. It is never too late for someone to take on Christ. Nothing can separate us from His love. Neither distance, nor fear, nor AGE will be able to separate us from receiving His great love and mercy. (Romans 8:39).
All we can do is be patient and not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).