Deputation Delights - Even the mall is a mission field

Yesterday I took the boys to the mall in order to give Eric some "quiet time," because our house is never truly quiet unless the Dynamic Duo is sound asleep, and usually by then we are worn out as well.  So it has been our habit to take turns rescuing each other's sanity by taking the boys somewhere, anywhere to release the pent up energy that comes from deputation travels and life as a growing boy in general.

Cheesin' it up at the International Banquet.  Go team Peru!

Stuck in the car!

So, yesterday, since I was feeling more sane and Daddy was striving diligently to contact churches, study, and tune out the cars, trains, book-on-tape, singing, and races around the living room, we loaded up the car and with a bag of marshmallows and two cups of apple juice to keep us full of energy we headed off on our "field trip" to buy winter hats and gloves for the snow that awaits us in a few weeks up North.

Praising God that we were in and out of Old Navy in 10 minutes with no crying, no lost trains, and no emergency trips to the restroom, we gleefully raced down the hallway to the enclosed playground.  After a quick pep-talk, the boys eagerly threw themselves into the act of burning off their energy.

Showing off their hats

Returning to the play room!

A few minutes later another Mom brought her son in and sat down on the opposite side of the play area. He played quietly here and there until Steven decided that he wanted to play with the same toy and pushed him out of the way.  Horrified, of course, I corrected him and sent him on his way and then asked how old her son was.  It turned out that they were both born on the same day and she came over and we started chatting.

When asked if we lived nearby I commented that my parents live in the area and then followed the Holy Spirit's prompting to mention that we were missionaries in Peru and were visiting churches in the area.  She mentioned how she'd always wanted to see the Inca ruins and that got the conversation going.  I asked if she attended church here but she was only in town for a doctor's appointment. 

As we talked I looked through my purse for a gospel tract, a prayer card with our email on it to stay in contact, anything!  And came up empty.  What a disappointment!  After a few more instances of my son pushing hers around it was time for us to go. 

As I walked out to the car, I felt the Holy Spirit saying Go back and give her a tract.  I was tempted to excuse it since I didn't have any on me, but as soon as I opened the sliding door of the van, the only thing on the floor was a tract from my parents church that I had picked up a few weeks ago.  Even though Joshua was already in his car seat, I gathered them back up and wheeled the stroller around to go back into the mall.

The sad part was that when I got back to the play area the lady and her son had left.  I felt deflated and disappointed that the opportunity to share more had been cut short, but then I remembered that I had done what I felt God wanted me to do, despite having already been out at the car, despite having hungry boys wanting their lunch, despite having already talked to her about God.  Why would God have me go back there if He knew she'd be gone?  Maybe He just wanted to know that I was willing.

One thing I do know, the act of "being ready to give an answer" requires the same forethought that packing for our "field trips" does.  I hardly ever forget to check my bag for diapers, wipes, drinks, and snacks.  That would be unthinkable!  Now, I need to add gospel tracts to that list.  We travel so much, and meet so many people, that we can never be too prepared.

Praying for another chance to share Christ very soon!

Keep up with me over at my blog - Ministry Mommy

Yeah, he'd already had his bath and decided have two!