The Great Evangelist

I rode the subway to my friend's house over the weekend.  I was with another girlfriend, Kristin, who had her baby with her so coming and going via the stairwell seemed silly when we could take the elevator up to fresh air.  We shared the elevator with a small, elderly Korean man who smiled at us.  He jabbered eagerly in korean  but we just sort of nodded with big eyes as though we understood every word.  We made a few "ahhs" and "ohhs" which come with many korean conversations as a sign of comprehension.  He stood about as tall as my 5'2 build but I probably had a good 20 pounds on him.  He wasn't much in stature but gave off a very familiar vibe that he was a wise man.  A man on a mission of sorts but well organized.  My Granddaddy's kind of 'ora'. As the doors opened, the man bid us farewell and went on his way in the opposite direction from what we were walking.  

We went about our business and returned to go home the same way about three hours later.  We walked up to the elevator now going down to find the same little man also awaiting for the elevator.  Kristin and I laughed at our interesting timing and greeted the man with a friendly bow.  In a city of 4 million- what are the chances we would share an elevator with the same stranger twice in one day? He immediately started in on us, still in korean, with the use of his hands being very expressive and an even different passion than before.  I felt as though the third level down could not arrive soon enough as I couldn't bring myself to tell him that my understanding of his language was no where near his used vocabulary. He was just so happy!  Full of cheer.  He finally put it together that we were giving him the glazed eye stare and he lifted up his left hand to reveal his Bible.  He put his right hand to his chest and staggered through the english term, "Christian." Then he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Christian?" It was like the entire 4x4 lift was full of love! We started bouncing up and down at the first sign that we all understood one another! He told us (we understood this part) he had just gone to church and how much he loved God!  All we could say was 'Yes! Yes!' 

The doors opened and the three of us walked gleefully towards our subway.  No words at this point were exchanged.  We just knew we were amongst Family.  A very warm and fulfilling moment.  Tears filled my eyes as we parted onto different tracks.  What an amazing testimony.  He didn't even know our language yet he found a way to ask us and share with us his love for God.    

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus.