I got into the taxi in a culture and country different from the one I grew up in. I know a bit of their language and am in a crash course of their culture. We do not actually go out of our way to reach into our host country’s hearts and minds with the Gospel. We are focused on Iranians, living or traveling through our shared foreign country. However, my taxi ride mixed it up a bit for us, in a good way.

I try to be a friendly fellow wherever I go, smiling and making a very small talk with my very small language abilities. Sometimes the taxi drivers are stoic, but this one was intrigued with me. “You are different, I can tell…” We got to talking about God. The traffic-filled jaunt neared its end and I got my change out to pay him.  “Here you are.” Oh, but you are crying… He thanks me, not for the payment but for the gift of hope that made its way into his heart. What did I do? Not much, but I know Who did….

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon each one of us to preach the good news, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives… (Paraphrase of Isaiah 61:1)

My new friend, the taxi driver, and I exchanged contact information. We will get together soon and talk more of this Living Hope he experienced.

“Jesus, we speak new life to this taxi driver and his family by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for using Your servants in ways that we cannot control. We worship You as Lord of all and pray that You will touch the people around us that they will hunger and thirst for the Living God.”