From This Water You’ll Never Thirst Again
“This house would drive an inspector crazy.”
That’s the kind of thoughts that went through Gerald Ross’ mind when he entered Sara’s home in San Jose, Costa Rica. Not only has Gerald been a leader for his church on several Filter of Hope trips, he’s also a realtor.
A Humble Home and Heart
Gerald’s realtor vision couldn’t help but notice a few things. “Wiring and extension cords were hanging from the short ceiling rafters. The floor wasn’t dirt, but it wasn’t finished either. The studs were all exposed.”
But Sara was a gracious host as she welcomed her new friends. “She was the sweetest, most humble person you could meet.”
The team navigated carefully around some hanging wires and extension cords.
In a short time, Gerald’s team installed the filter in a very dirty bucket [but that’s what filters are for] and Sara tried out the water. “She loved the filter. She said she had been sick several times from the water. She couldn’t believe it and hugged my neck.”
We Have Something Better Than This
“Then I told her we had a second gift greater than the water filter. She almost shrieked with amazement. ‘What could be better than this?’” The photos captured her expressions perfectly.
Sara thought nothing could top clean water.
Gerald asked Sara if he could explain how she could begin a relationship with God and she excitedly responded, “Oh yes, I’d love to hear.”
So Gerald explained God’s great love for us, how sin separated us from God, and how Jesus died for all of our sin. But Sara believed that salvation was given to those who earned it by works.
Gerald took a cup of clean water and poured a little into a cup of dirty water. Then he asked Sara if she would drink the dirty water. She exclaimed, “No, no ,no.”
“I told her that in the same way, no matter how many good things you do, it doesn’t make your heart clean. Forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God is a free gift that Jesus offers to you.”
Jesus Won’t Let Go
“I also took my hands and put them together like I was praying. I asked her to pull my hands apart if she could and she was able to separate them. Then I clasped my hands together and asked her to pull them apart. She couldn’t. I told her that when we believed in Jesus and received him, he would always hold onto us tight and never let us go. He won’t lose any of those who believe. It doesn’t depend on our good deeds.”
Gerald carefully explained how she could be sure of God answering her prayers.
She wasn’t sure where she stood with God, so Gerald asked her, “Would you like to know for sure that you have that gift?” Sara agreed, “Yes, I would like to know that for sure.” Then she prayed with Gerald and his team to receive Christ. She was even more joyful afterwards.
There was another reason Sara was very special to Gerald. He told Sara that his own daughter, who lives far away and whom he rarely sees, is also named Sara. He asked if he could hug his new sister Sara in her place that day and she happily obliged.
Sara’s house may need some improvements, but now she knows her salvation does not. Jesus has a hold on her life nothing can break.
