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NOW A MAN CALLED INNOCENT by PASTOR DALE FREEMAN It was with these words that I described our first meeting in my book MY NAME IS INNOCENT--- Although I had been to Africa many times, I never ceased to be amazed. The simple proclamation of the Gospel was always accompanied by a sweeping move of God's Spirit. You could almost see the light of hope ignite behind the eyes of the people as you preached. Hearts melting, spirits embracing eternal truth. It had almost become commonplace to watch hundreds step forward at every invitation, kneeling to pray and receive the message. "Sir." A voice broke into my deliberations. I turned to be confronted by a thin lad of about twelve, his arms wrapped tightly around a bundle of newspapers that he was obviously selling. "Sir...Where are you from?" "We're from the USA," I smiled. "We've come a long way to tell the people here in Blantyre good news." The boy smiled, his bright eyes dancing. "Would it be possible for you to pray for me?" He stepped forward, leaning across the coarse rope that had been tied between our vehicles. "Surely," I replied. "What can I do for you?" "My name is Innocent." He paused a long moment. "I speak English...but it's hard to say what I want." His eyes wandered across the field filled with people. He chose his words carefully. "My heart is on fire," he breathed. "I would have Jesus as Lord. Will you pray with me?" I moved forward and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "Your name is Innocent?" He nodded positively. "You're really not, you know." He looked startled. "Yes sir...I am." "Innocent means without blame. The Bible tells us that none of us are without blame. The Bible says that we have all sinned...we have all missed the mark...we've all fallen short of God's purpose for us. It's called sin...and that sin separates us from God and His Kingdom. It leads us to death." "Then...what is this good news?" "We can be forgiven...we can come alive to God and all that He is. We can invite Jesus into our lives, because God loved us so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins and offer us a way to escape." I took my Bible from the front seat of the van, carefully leading him through several verses, watching his hungry eyes devouring each line. We prayed there, and I heard his soft voice expressing the surrender that was taking place in his heart. It was truly a "Divine Appointment." As the boy stood at my side day after day in the crusade services, I became convinced that God was preparing to use him mightily in years to come to preach His Word to the people of Africa. We have stayed in close touch since that time, and I have had opportunity to invest some of myself in him. As the picture below demonstrates, he is no longer a little boy. He is a young man who is sharing God's love faithfully in the heart of Africa. He asks for your prayers, and is encouraged knowing that you remember his labors. Serve the Lord with gladness, Innocent! Be faithful, fervent and committed until Jesus comes!  |
