The kayaking day had finally arrived. We were divided into groups, with two tour guides each. My group’s guides were two young women who appeared to be around my age. They were a very sociable duo, and once the training on safety and instructions was given and we were all out on the water, they immediately wanted to get to know us. They had heard we were a church group and asked more about us. Given the opportunity, the saints with me very simply and openly shared that we’re like a big family, and we meet house to house like in the book of Acts. The tour guides thought this was great, and it was then that we learned that they were believers, too. One of the tour guides shared that she was the daughter of the owner, and that her family’s business was their way to outreach to people and disciple youth. What were the chances that upon traveling all the way to Lake Superior, the kayaking company we chose to go through would happen to be run by believers? We were so encouraged and thrilled by this discovery. Who’s to say we can’t find other seekers through our travels?
As we continued to paddle across the lake, we talked about other things too, and continued to get to know one another. One of the guides asked me if our group had been vaccinated for COVID-19 yet. I was hesitant to answer, anticipating a clash in opinions so early on in our journey, so I gave a simple answer, and then took the opportunity to paddle away to a different saint. She and I didn’t talk much more until we were on our way back to the beach.
On the way back, one of the sisters was talking with her and sharing how she had come to the church life after her own experiences abroad as a missionary. As I was observing, I admired how this sister was openly sharing her story with our guide. And then it struck me that this was sharing the gospel. There was no mention of specific terminology like “salvation,” or anything like that, but only speaking of the truth from her own life and expressing who we are corporately. Actually, we don’t need to say much at all, but by living out who we are, others will see a difference in us, and this is evidence enough of the life we have in Christ and in the Body.
Witnessing my sister’s example, I wanted to be open, too, not closed off after one sensitive conversation. So, I paddled over to the other guide and began casually talking with her. Eventually, she asked me a similar question, “How did you meet these people?” and I was able to share how I first met these saints whom I now lived and met with.
When we made it back to the beach and began pulling the kayaks out of the water, I thought to myself, “I wish we could stay in touch and be friends with these ladies,” for it felt that we had formed a relationship with them, however brief our time together was. Before we left, I was excited and thankful to see that a brother had brought our “business cards” with our contact information. On the front read, “Christ is the life. Church is the living.” He gave a card to both of them, saying, “If you are ever in Toledo, please come visit us.” The owner walked over too, and we gave him a card, as well. He told us he was glad to have met us, and admired our group saying, “Church is not like those mega-churches.” Then, we said our goodbyes and parted ways, hopeful that this day was meaningful in more ways than we knew.
– AD