What It Means to Love Thy Neighbor

On Thursday of our trip, my interpreter and I went with our local guide, Marianna, to her apartment building to share the gospel with her neighbors. Little did I know, I was about to see a powerful picture of what it means to love God well by loving one's neighbors well … and how such faithful love generates an abundant harvest!

Shortly after we arrived, Marianna's friend, Noel, walked up the street pushing her purple and white bicycle. When she saw Marianna, Noel immediately greeted her and Marianna invited her over to meet her new American friends and hear the gospel. I shared my testimony and the gospel with her using an Evangecube.

It was quite evident that the Holy Spirit had prepared Noel for our visit! She had a constant smile on her face and nodded in agreement as we unfolded the gospel message right before her eyes! When we asked if she was ready to trust Christ for her salvation, she nodded, and her eyes filled with tears as she prayed to receive Jesus Christ.

Marianna then went out and called her neighbor, Elena, from the apartment building across the street. I shared a brief testimony and asked, "If God asked you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' what would you say?" Elena answered somewhat searchingly, "Because I have been a pretty good person?"

After we explained the gospel, Elena's eyes lit up. As soon as she finished praying to accept Christ, Elena broke down and wept uncontrollably. Marianna embraced her and repeatedly assured her that God loved her so much! We were all in tears!

While we were sharing with Elena, another neighbor—Pancho—came over to hear the gospel and sat down behind me, listening just as Elena was praying to receive Christ. We then shared the gospel with Pancho and he also trusted Christ!

I was completely stunned at how Marianna’s deep love for God overflowed into her love for her neighbors. She had cared for them well and had clearly built relationships with them. They loved her in return and trusted her when she invited them to her apartment to meet me and hear the gospel. By the end of our time at her complex, God used Marianna’s love and hospitality to lead six of her well loved neighbors to accept Christ into their hearts!

I’ve been to different countries countless times and stories like this still leave me amazed at how our God is at work in spiritually dark places!