A Gift from Givi

Hello Again Friends! I am now in the beautiful country of Armenia, but I wanted to take some time to give an update on Georgia (the country, not the state ;)). But before I begin, I should tell y’all that I am once again on a new team! These girls will most likely be my crew until the end of the race and I’m pretty pumped about it! Meet TEAM JUBILEE!

 

Our time as a team together began in the country of Georgia, a former Soviet nation. I came to this country with no expectations. I certainly did not expect to love the culture and people so immediately. As we explored Tbilisi the first day, I couldn’t help but have so much joy for this city. The Christmas lights (because they also celebrate Christmas in January!!), the people, the architecture, Georgia has influences from Russia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia, and yet, their culture was also very distinct, very Georgian.

 

This month, my team’s ministry was called ATL, short for “Ask the Lord”. We did not have a ministry host this month, so our team went out and, literally, asked the Lord where He wanted us to go that day. The purpose is to both go with the Lord’s leading and share with anyone He brings to us or takes us to, and to find contacts who will potentially host future World Race teams in Georgia.

One day, I decided to do my Bible Study at a Coffee Shop not far from our house. I absolutely love coffee shops and feel that I get the most done in these environments (can you guess where I’m at right now?? Lol). However, before going home, I browsed a street market right outside the shop. I bought a beautiful ring and observed all the wonderful creativity of the sellers there. As I was walking, I saw an old man. He was one of the sellers, selling beautiful ceramic pieces. But my attention was not on the items, but on the man himself. He looked so sad. I remember feeling very convicted and led to approach this man and talk to him, but I am sad to say that I didn’t in that moment. I came up with enough excuses to continue walking by, but this man remained in my mind.

 

The next morning, my team woke up with the purpose of praying for our day. We meet together as a team, then separate, praying and asking God for words, visions, names, or anything else He may give before coming back together and sharing what He gave to each of us. As I prayed, this man was in the forefront of my mind. At first, I thought he was there because I felt guilty, but as I prayed into it more, I knew that God wanted me to go back there. I shared what I received from the Lord as everyone else shared what they got as well. All of our words revolved around “coffee shop”, “a sad man”, and “just live your life”. So, we went out, going to that coffee shop that I saw the old man sitting outside of.

As we approached the market, I saw the man standing there, in the same spot as the day before. My teammates, Maryah and Tamara, walked with me to talk to him. He didn’t speak much English, actually, he didn’t speak any English at all, but through Google Translate, we were able to have a conversation with him. His name was Givi. We asked him if he knew who Jesus was. He nodded as he made a cross sign across his heart with his hand. We asked about his family and told him that Jesus had asked us to come and talk to him that day. I don’t know exactly what that meant to him, but I do know that he had a beautiful smile on his face as we were talking, something I didn’t see the day before.

 

As we were preparing to leave, I looked down at his items. They were so pretty and I wanted to support this man and his business. I picked up this horn-like item, something small that I could carry with me for the rest of the race. I pulled out my money and began to hand it to him. He gently pushed my hand back. He smiled and pushed the horn towards me, gesturing to me that I could have it for free.

What a blessing! Even after I tried to pay for it again, he refused. I hugged Givi for his generosity and his smile and thanked him for his kind heart. Maryah, Tamara and I joined Sam and Connie who were already in the coffee shop (encountering their own divine appointment!) and when we were done, bought him some tea and brought it back out to him. He kissed our foreheads before we walked away.

 

Givi’s Gift!

 

I don’t know if Givi’s faith was true or not. For some reason, I believe that it is. But I do know that God used that appointment to both bring joy to Givi’s life and to mine. His smile lifted my spirits that day, and I believe our interactions with him did the same. And to think, I allowed fear and excuses to keep me from meeting this sweet man the day before.

The cool thing about ATL is that it is not limited to a mission trip. It isn’t limited to a schedule. In the Great Commission, the original word for “go” is actually “as you go”. As you go to your job. As you go grocery shopping. As you live your life, live it intentionally, allowing yourself to be interrupted, allowing yourself to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

 

God did some cool things that day. There’s another story that took place that would be too much for one blog, but I thought I’d share about Givi because, almost a month later, I still haven’t forgotten about him. I look at my gift, which I learned a few minutes later was actually a Georgian shot glass, and I am reminded of what God did that day, and what He’s capable of doing every day. It isn’t always miracles or mass salvations. He cares about every moment and is intentional.

I encourage y’all to spend some time tonight or in the morning to “Ask the Lord” what He has for you that day. I can’t promise it’ll be comfortable. I can’t promise it’ll be as you expect. But I can promise that He will not waste your time.

Til next time,
Meghan