Who is your Jesus?

This is a normal question for missionaries. We hear it often.

Last night while we were eating ice cream in the plaza in centro Colonia, talking with our friends Daniel and Amparo, seemingly out of nowhere a man showed up and posed that very question. Scott was ready with a response.

The way that man came upon us was unusual in that none of us saw him approach, and right away I felt very uncomfortable. He walked right up to Scott stood over him and asked, "Son Cristianos?" (Are you Christians?). Of course Scott replied in the affirmative.

Sitting down on the park bench, crossing his legs, and puffing vainly on his cigarette he asked Scott if he believed in Jesus. Again he received an affirmative response. This is where the conversation turned, well, frightening.

I wish I could tell you what was said after this but the man, clearly not in his right mind, (I would describe him as a maniac) was jumping so quickly from one thing to another and was so aggressive and antagonistic that I was doing more praying than listening. Especially as I watched while all the nearby people quickly got up and left the area.

I do know that at one point he commanded that Scott speak in tongues. Scott told him that he would not speak in an unknown language but he could speak to him in English. Scott was told that he couldn't speak in another language. So Scott started talking to him in English. That part was actually funny, and in my discomfort, I did giggle at Scott's response.

Suddenly he stood up, with the burning cigarette mere millimeters from Scott's face. From my angle I thought he was being burned. His voice changed from one of challenge to one of rage. He began calling Scott a pharisee and other things that I can't repeat. I thought that he was going to hurt Scott. Scott thought the same thing.

Obviously realizing that nothing could be said to this man Scott began to move away from him but the man wouldn't stay out of his face. He continued to say horrible things. At the same time Daniel began to move in between Scott and the man, while Amparo called for the Police. For several minutes he continued to follow us and yell at Scott, then just as suddenly as he appeared he was gone.

There are some interesting things about all of this. First, a message that was preached Sunday morning was out of the text in Romans 8 verses 28-31. At the time I was encouraged that we are protected by God. That nothing can separate those who are His in Christ Jesus from the love of God. Today, I have no doubt that God was preparing us for last night. Giving us a reminder that we are more than conquerers through Christ. Christ is the One who fights the battle for us! He was there with us, protecting us!

Secondly at the time this man appeared we "happened" to be talking about the Devil and how he can, and desires to, wreak havoc in our lives. And we needed to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions knwoing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 2 Peter 5:8-9.

Honestly, we all believe that man was demon possessed. He was more than drunk and more than angry. His questions were very pointed and were nearly spot on about some of the things we had been talking about. There is no doubt that Scott was steadfast in his response. I wish I could say the same thing, instead, I was in tears and truly frightened and doing all I could to stay out of the man's reach and praying he would not harm Scott.

Last night we were reminded in a very tangible way, that we are on the battle front. And it is God who calls us who will also prepare us to fight. We need your prayers! You all hold the ropes for us, please don't let go.