A Life Changed In A Day | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: A Life Changed In A Day | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sandi Lue
11/20/14
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Saki a nineteen year old young man, who lives in Florida, had traveled with a group from his church to one of the most dangerous areas of Central America. Their goal was to provide humanitarian aid to an orphanage there. Being with the children and watching the now smile on their previously hopeless faces, made his heart soar with joy. The team was never allowed to leave without armed guards and told always to stay together wherever they went. They ministered in a very tense and uncertain atmosphere.

Being the adventurous young man that he is, he decided to walk away from the confinement of the camp to observe what was around the area. The moment he stepped out he saw men and teen boys with guns strapped on their bodies. Shaken but still having this desire to go further, he courageously walked and prayed. As he journeyed into the unknown, his prayer consisted of asking God for guidance, protection and the revealing of the true purpose for him being there. He knew his presence was noticeable. What little Spanish he knew went out the window due to his already anxious filled mind, his having to nervously smile, wave, and yet keep a keen eye around his surroundings. Every now and then with this throat dry from edginess he would shout “hola” and in return be given a curious and sometimes friendly smile with a response of “hola”. At times humorously reflecting on how he now regrets goofing around in Mr. Alvarez’s Spanish class. His intended expedition to only walk a block felt like he was moving in slow motion. As he was about to cross over a street he heard a great big bang. He turned around, and heard screams and the screeching of tires. As his eyes followed the commotion of the people now gathered at the scene, his curiosity got the best of him. Probingly, he approached the small crowd that had now gathered there, and saw the body of a lifeless boy on the ground. He did not understand what they were saying, but he knew that visual tragedy had no language barriers. At that moment Saki looked up and said “God, guide me as I in faith, walk in your purpose.” Just then he felt this sudden peace and boldness begin to surge inside him. He went over to where the child was, knelt and cradled his head. The child was unresponsive and his body showed no sign of critical trauma. As he cradled the child’s head he began to pray and cry and with one hand he raised it to the heavens. When he opened his eyes, there were women, men and youths (with guns strapped) kneeling and praying too. Then someone shouted in Spanish “es un milagro” (it’s a miracle). He looked down and saw the child’s eyes open and tears streaming down his face. As the crowd parted in front of him, he could see a man and a woman with their hands stretched out saying “mi hijo (my son). As the parents approached Saki, the dad took the boy in his arms, a woman standing there shouted “Gracias Jesús, vemos el milagro a través de un extraño”, (Thank you Jesus, we see a miracle through this stranger). Saki stood in awe as he watched his surroundings, transformed from appearing dark and hopeless, now bursting with joy and praise. People started coming up to him for prayer as he called upon the Lord for a transformation of the village.

There were whispers in Spanish of “who is the man”?

Two teen approached Saki with a look of anger, and he knew if the situation was not different, he would be in harm’s way. Yet, as they came closer, their expression changed to one of curiosity. They stated that they would accompany him back to the camp. They walked in silence. When they were about to approach the camp one of the young man said to him in broken English

“Our intent was to rob you, but your God healed my brother. This has never happened before where the villagers prayed together. Thank you.”
Smiling, they willingly laid their guns down and hugged Saki, then departed with the international gesture of a hi-five.

As he walked through the gates, the guards there looked at him then on the young men and said “are you ok”.

Saki then raised his hands and jumped into the air shouting…
“I’m more than ok…..I’m changed forever.”

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