Stories from the Field

September 2003

Sharing unexpectedly in AUSTRIA

Today I was waiting at the train to come home, and I saw Johannes, a guy from the youth center where I am volunteering. He proceeded to tell me how he had his sailing license but couldn’t remember the word for the type of license he had. We talked a little bit more, and then he chimed in, saying, “Ah, ha! It was a sailing vessel license.”

Then he asked me exactly what a vessel was, so I began to tell him that it could be lots of things—like a sailboat could be a vessel, or an airplane could, but also people could be vessels for messages. I thought, “Boy, oh, boy—this could be a chance to share the gospel,” but then he immediately changed the subject. Rats!

So we continued on the train, and I asked him if I could give him a ride to the center. He accepted and said, “We need to get together and go play pool or just spend some personal time together. I want to get to know you better, and I want to know more about your church and what you believe. I had never heard of a Baptist before you came.”

I just kept thinking, “You’re on, buddy! Whenever, wherever, I’m there!”

Anyway, although it was not a gospel presentation, it was an unexpected turn in the right direction. Keep interceding for Johannes that he may burn with questions about truth.

—Drew Moss, journeyman
Vienna, Austria
Hometown: Mobile, Ala.