November 14th, 2012 by Zac

Every week is typically the same. I arrive at the train station at 1:00pm. My train departs for Povazska Bystrica at 1:17pm. I teach an English conversation in this small city every Monday afternoon. I buy my ticket for 1.85 Euros and listen to the public address system to see if my train is on time. Then my mind fast forwards to what I will encounter in the next few minutes. When the train rolls in, I climb aboard and walk from cabin to cabin looking for the right seat. There are 6 seats in each private cabin, so I need at least one empty seat among the 6. I prefer that at least 4 of the seats are filled.

When I spot the “right” place, I take a deep breath, slide the door open, put my backpack on the luggage rack and take my seat. I have a 20 minute train ride ahead and I’m now I’m sitting toe to toe with 4 or 5 young Slovak students, reading, writing, studying, listening to music or sleeping.  Before I have a chance to second guess myself, I shatter the silence and ask “does anyone speaks English?” I’ve learned that this is the best way to attract attention to myself. Those who speak English here are usually eager to try to use it with a native speaker. Most of time, I find a willing speaker. All I need is one, because I know the rest of our cabin-mates will hear our conversation anyway.

“I’m a missionary from America, and I’m always looking for people who are searching for God and need someone to talk with about it. Are you one of those people?” This is my standard opener. And with that, the hard part is over. My heart can stop racing and sink back down into it’s normal place (from up in my throat) my hands cans stop sweating.  However, most of the predictability is over at that point, but for me, that’s where the fun part begins. It’s amazing to hear all the responses, reactions and stories.

To my surprise, the majority I encounter are open to listen and talk.  Most have some kind of experience with God, spirituality or the church. But rarely do I meet someone who knows the God of the Bible. It’s my favorite part – to introduce the them to a God who loves them and is searching for them. A God who has gone to extreme measures to make a connection with them possible. A connection that doesn’t require a certain behavior or ritual or tradition. But a connection based faith. Belief that God is out there and that Jesus’ perfect behavior can become a substitute for my bad behavior. He’s a God that knows, cares and forgives.

My 20  minutes is quickly over and I hear the screeching of the breaks as the train begins to slow. As I depart, I usually assure them that my intention wasn’t to win them to some cult or a specific church or denomination. I only desire to tell them a message from God. Probably I’ll never see them again. I usually leave them a small booklet about salvation, an invitation to facebook and kindly thank them for the conversation.

It’s a small effort at “searching” for the lost. The Good Shepherd left the 99 to search for and rescue the lost ONE. I’ve spent to many years waiting in my comfort zone for someone to come into my circle of influence before I tell the good news. Hopefully my waiting is over for good.

Trains are running 24/7.