The second day of our short term mission trip with Ibiza 24/7 took us onto the beaches of San Antonio to love on people by handing out free oranges. I had already covered a fair bit of the beach and I was mindful of not approaching anyone that my two sidekicks may have already given oranges out to. Not wanting to walk too far away from my team mates I made my way back to the start of the beach where one of my team mates had been sitting chatting to a woman for quite a while. I noticed a woman sitting by herself and wondering if she’d already been given an orange I felt led to approach her anyway.
She ended up being lovely and she happily took an orange from me. We began chatting about her holiday and her boyfriend also joined us soon after following a dip in the sea. He was also pretty lovely! We chatted about them being fairly low key and not really into the hardcore party scene. I asked them both how they got together and it was so sweet to hear their story. When I asked what they do back home in Wales they shared with me their occupations with little enthusiasm. Smiles. They definitely didn’t enjoy their jobs all that much!
I asked them what their ideal job would be and we dived into a convo about being created to live an adventurous life of God-given purpose. This was totally unfamiliar territory for this precious couple because God was no where on their radar and aside from maybe subconsciously wondering if God even existed they had no awareness of Him or need for Him. Whaaaat???! I said! Oh my gosh you’re totally missing out! I told them!
I then proceeded to share the Gospel with them (with their permission) and then asked them if they wanted to be in on such an amazing gift - to be forgiven of your sins, to receive eternal life and to live in relationship with God Almighty, loving you, guiding you, revealing purpose to you - like who in their right mind could ever say no to such an amazing opportunity I asked???! And they totally agreed!! And so he looked at her and asked if she was up for it and she looked at him and said yes like totally....and then we all prayed!!!
Sitting on their beach towel on a busy beach in Ibiza, surrounded by revellers, sunbathers and holiday makers I led them into a prayer of salvation. And they gave their hearts to Jesus. Like wow! How glorious. More oranges were given out in celebration as I then chatted with them about getting plugged into a church when they get back home!!
What I really loved about it all was what this encounter prophetically represented for an island that’s so accustomed to sinful, godless hookups yet here was a couple wholeheartedly committing their lives to God, together with one accord - and with such sweet respect and honour for one another, inviting God into their union, embarking on a beautiful journey of purpose, adventure and discovery together. What a glorious thing to witness!
I absolutely adored their openness, their innocent hearts and their childlike faith. It really is so easy for the childlike to come into the kingdom. And it’s just so wild to consider, that something as simple as giving out oranges could lead to two precious people inheriting eternal life and coming to know the love of God.
...Now THAT is what I call bearing GOOD fruit.