Lately I have been wanting to seek God out more, to pray more, and to get out there and evangelize more. Actually, talking on evangelizing, I have been lamenting my weakness in declaring my faith to others when I talk with them. When they have asked me things, I often simply say that I am working to instill values in kids and help orphans and other bits and pieces like that... skirting around the core and principle fact that I am a Christian who believes in God and am working here because He has called me here. This changed completely last night. The Event It was just after I had been to my local church, and what happened at the video store while renting movies quite astounded me really. There was a pretty girl browsing the movie selections with her back turned to me, and a couple of guys around their 30's waiting in line behind me at the counter. While waiting for my movies to be processed, the guy nearest me leaned closer and motioned towards the girl still browsing the movies. He told me with a sly grin, "look at that huh... Argentina flesh." I was shocked, and thought that I didn't hear him properly, but when he repeated himself and I heard those same words, something happened inside of me. I felt completely revulsed by this man's remarks, and deep inside of me there rose up an anger against someone that would speak in such a demeaning way about anybody. The Reaction So, out of character to my normal reactions, I looked at the guy and told him straight, "I am part of a mission and a Christian and we talk to people like you about faith and God and repentance. Would you like to repent for your behavior?" The guy was stunned. So was I, but for a very different reason. The story, after we chatted for a while about God and his connections with missionaries and the church and so on, ended with this same man meeting me at my church next Sunday. Surprisingly, he asked me if it was allowed for Catholics to come to an Evangelical church (see note below). His whole demeanor changed and his attitude became very humble during our whole conversation. The Result There was a choice that I had during that first moment when he spoke to me. Let it go and ignore him as I have always done before, or speak to the guy about God and sin. This time was different. Always before I have feared the reaction of the person. Now I see how foolish this was. This whole event has changed my perception of fear that had held me crippled for so long before. I do not have to fear people's reactions anymore and this will change my actions completely. The Question So why did I ever fear people? Why was I so scared of people's reactions? How did that lie ever make it into my head? The reality is that I don't really know, but I have noticed that there are whole churches that behave in this sort of way... seeker friendly churches, non-offensive evangelism, meeting "sinners" on their terms and many other approaches have been coined to support what I see as a fear-based belief. Perhaps it was here. All I know is that I have learned through this experience that the fear is unfounded. NOTE: In Argentina there is a strong Catholic following but many people simply turn up at the church each Sunday and live like devils the rest of the week. Generally, those in the evangelical churches are active in their faith and seeking to follow God with their whole heart.