Day 45.

The week began like any normal week. No actually it was better than most. That Sabbath I had several candidates to baptize. One of them was a 13-year-old girl called Agnus. She lived with her Maori Grandparents because her parents were divorced. On the day of the baptism both parents attended. Fred, her father, was an alcoholic.

That evening we had a celebratory bon fire on a local property. Fred attended. As the evening progressed I felt impressed to talk to Fred and so I slowly made my way round the fire until I was standing next to him. The impression was correct; we had an intense spiritual discussion. He had been touched by his daughter’s baptism. At the end of the evening Fred asked me when I would be preaching in Kiakohe again. I said that I would be doing so the following weekend. He said, “That’s great, I want to come and talk with you.” I was excited about that and invited him to lunch with us when he came.

I had this excited feeling that when he came I would lead him to Jesus, and this would help his alcoholism. I was looking forward to the following weekend. On Monday or Tuesday, I don’t remember which day, I got this impression to give Fred a call. On Wednesday I stopped in at Bert’s place (Agnes’s Grandfather) and got Fred’s phone number with the intention of phoning him. The business of ministry, like the Religious people in Jesus Jericho Rd story, caused me to neglect my duty. BY Friday I had adopted the attitude that Fred will be here tomorrow. I was looking forward to it.

Saturday morning came and went and Fred did not show up for church. I was disappointed. Unfortunately, while we were having lunch the phone rang. It was Bert, Agnus’ Granddad, and he told me that Fred had shot himself that morning. I was not only devastated, but wracked with guilt. God had told me to ring Fred and I had neglected my duty and now he was dead and it was probably my fault.

Since that experience I have learned to always follow impressions. If I feel like I should ring someone I will, even if it turns out to be nothing. Paul says to test the spirits. I will always now follow things God puts on my heart.