The Midnight Gift

By Ruth Fox, Rim Forest, CA"You want us to do what?"My head was pounding. I felt so exhausted that my eyes where closing regardless of the fact that I was standing in the middle of downtown Esmeraldas. The past 24 hours had gone by in a blur of heat and adrenalin.Now don't get me wrong; it had been an amazing day! By the time that our team arrived in said downtown, we had already accomplished a day-long children's seminar and attended an evening fiesta hosted by the mayor. Both very fun and exciting! Both activities were also very energy-consuming and by the time that 17 Americans were stopping at MIDNIGHT to get ice cream in a small square in Ecuador, my battery was in need of a recharge.So, there I stood. Eating something cool after a swelteringly hot day wasn't all bad, but now I eyed the bus longingly. (Side note: normally nobody looks at a bus with longing, but it was my only way back to the hotel. I just wanted to clarify that to make it clear that I'm really not as crazy as I sound!) I turned to my team leaders to inquire into how long it would be till we could head for "home," only to behold one of them striding across the street to a park area. Apparently, the head of our team and a few team members had decided that they could not pass up the opportunity to go street witnessing at MIDNIGHT! Brave people! I began contemplating going and just sitting on the bus. I sought out one the other leaders and began to ask about the bus, when she announced that the entire team should cross the road and start conversations with the locals at MIDNIGHT.I remained rooted on the pavement. My fatigued mind tried to wrap itself around the information that had just been introduced. "You want us to do what?" Everything in me rebelled. I knew Ecuadorians seemed to stay out for half the night (or more), but I had just done a whole day of service. Wasn't that enough? Inside I was seething. Outside I was too tired to even respond as our group made their way into the park. Dragging my feet, I followed along.While traversing the park sidewalks in search of an Ecuadorian, God and I had a little talk. Well, actually I did all the talking. If God wanted to tell me something He was just going to have to wait because I was going to have my say first. But somewhere in the midst of all my griping and groaning the Lord calmed my spirit. Within minutes I was having a deep conversation about the Lord with a young local. I've never witnessed before, but somehow the words just flowed. Gone was the brain fog that had accompanied me like a cloud all day. Vanished was the weariness. I have never so acutely felt the hand of the Lord guiding me in every word and action.Leaving that little square I was filled with gratefulness. Right before my very eyes I got to behold as God gave a gift, the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. God didn't have to let me in on the process. Originally, I didn't even want in, but He chose to use me as a gift-bearer to an Ecuadorian girl. Not only did He grace her with His love, but He also showered His blessings on me.I didn't even really give that young lady anything; I just helped the Lord in my small, insignificant way, and yet I came away with such an enormous sense of completion and perfect happiness. It is times like that, when you are at the end of your rope, that the Lord comes through in ways never imagined before. When God is providing the strength, you can give - and receive - gifts no matter what the hour.Join the team going to Ecuador in 2009! Click here for more information.