I have two stops to make before driving back to my discipleship Bible study and the rest of our group waiting for us there.
First to get Joey, then Brian.
Grace and I chat in the car as I drive through the Chivoc hills. She’s struggling being the only active believer in her home but is determined to follow the Lord no matter what.
We laugh about how incredible it is that we’ve only known each other for a year and a half. Ever since I started discipling her it feels like we’ve become more like sisters than friends.
“I can’t believe it took me so long to start going to church again after my family fell away.” She shakes her head. “But now that I’m here, I’m here to stay!”
We stop by Joey’s house. He’s already waiting outside, his Bible tucked under his arm, and his new glasses that he got for his birthday proudly displayed.
“Hey, guys!” He grins and hops in the car. Joey also faces the struggles of being an isolated believer. Even though his mother is a Christian, they live with an oppressive family. That’s why she stays behind when he goes to Bible study. Just in case the owner of their home locks the door before Joey comes home.
I adopted Joey as my nephew years ago and have been encouraging him to follow the Lord ever since.
This year I’ve been having more serious conversations with him.
“You’re twelve now. You’re going to have to make a decision. Do you want to be like those guys that push you and your mom around?”
“No.” He tells me, determination in his eyes.
“Then follow Jesus and don’t stop.”
Joey, Grace, and I laugh and talk as we go back down the hill to Brian’s home.
Although Brian has attended the discipleship group for a year now, he is the newest believer, having just accepted a few months ago. But the change in him has been nothing other than miraculous. When I first started helping him as one of my students stuggling during the pandemic, he was depressed, alone, and felt his life had no worth. Then Christ made him new.
Brian bolts from his home and waves goodbye to his little brothers and sisters as they watch from the porch. He runs to the car. “Ready!” He beams with excitement.
“No, you can’t go like that!” Joey protests. “You’re not wearing your glasses. Right, Natalie? He has to use his glasses or his eyes will get worse. That’s what the eye doctor told me.”
I shrug and give Brian a look.
He rolls his eyes. “Okay, fine, fine. But wait for me.”
I smile and take my hands off the steering wheel. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Brian dashes out of the car and sprints back to his home.
The light of a motorcycle approaches us through the night. I maneuver my car to the side so it can pass us on the tight, dirt road.
“Miss!” The motorcycle stops and the young man waves.
“Anthony!” I’m so happy. I haven’t seen this former student since he graduated before the pandemic. “Hurry up,” I say with a grin. “Let’s go!”
“Let’s go!” He responds to my joke. We both laugh.
“Where are y’all going?” He sits back in his seat and settles his foot on the ground to keep the motorcycle still.
“We’re going to our Bible study. You should come.” Anthony and I had so many different conversations about faith during his time at the school. He even prayed with me to accept Christ during his last year. But then we lost contact and this is the first time I’ve seen him since.
Anthony nods. “Alright, yeah. I’ll come. Just let me go get my Bible first.”
I’m surprised by the ease of his response. “Great! We’ll wait for you here.”
The motorcycle hums as Anthony beams a smile and drives off.
I look back at Grace and Joey. “Guys, see how good God is! We’ll just wait for a few minutes for Anthony to join us.”
Brian rushes to the car, breathing hard but now with his glasses in place. “Okay, sorry guys. I’m ready now! We can go.”
Joey bursts out laughing. Grace and I exchange looks.
Brian’s eyes widen. “What? What did I—”
“It’s not you,” I assure him. “We’re just going to have to wait for someone else.”
Brian grins and gives a playful swat at Joey. “Gosh, and y’all had me worried.”
