I’m going to be really honest and raw. I came on a mission trip to share Jesus with people but talking to people about Jesus scares me. 

During our ATL (Ask The Lord) time in Albania we were on a bus headed to Vlorë, mainly because I was weak from being sick and my team loved me well with being flexible and taking a bus instead of walking. I was uncomfortably leaning on the back seat of one of the buses with my big pack on when a new crowd of people got on. This young woman stopped in front of me. A few minutes later she removed her jacket and I saw a butterfly tattoo with the word “undone” underneath. 

There’s A LOT of imposture syndrome I’m constantly fighting especially on this trip. There are people I get the privilege of traveling with that wake up everyday and want to hit the streets and speak to people, and I’ll say it, I don’t. 

During this time though, we all agreed we wanted to be stretched and be bold. So when the butterfly was exposed I knew in my heart that God gave me this as an ice breaker. So I stood quiet for a while but then I was faithful with a simple sentence “I like your tattoo, what does it say?” I can’t remember all the details because when I step out in uncomfortabilty I usually can’t recall all I say (a Holy Spirit black out, is the term we coined). 

I just remember that I got to share what we are doing (the huge backpacks are a great talking point and usually people are curious). She then responded with her sister is a Christian. So then I knew I had to keep going, the door was open now. I asked what she believed and she said, "I believe in Jesus but I don’t have time between school and work."

I was able to speak into her and let her know she doesn’t have to make time for Jesus. He is with us always. We don’t have to go to church to have a relationship with Him or to speak to Him. But I felt her response in my heart because I literally quit my job and signed up for the race for the same reason. I was too "busy" and I wanted to put my faith first. I now understand that I don't have to have this radical life change to feel close to God, I too can speak to Him just like I encouraged this young lady to do. He is always near!

Evangelism was not condemning this woman or shaming her or trying to argue that there’s more. I just saw her. I heard her. I shared what I do know personally, that even in the middle of Albania after being sick for days and being tired and weary, God was right beside both of us on the bus and I can only hope that my obedience allowed her to feel the freedom and love of my friend Jesus.

I'm learning evangelism doesn’t take having read the whole Bible or any special degree or any spectacular knowledge of scripture and God, or even to go on a mission trip; it only takes knowing God and opening your mouth and following the prompting He gives and leading with love toward others.