Today I had to go to a seminar in Belville, on my way there I realised that I need gas urgently. I was on reserve and my motorcycle can only go 20km on the 1litre reserve gas. I took the off ramp to Kuilsrivier hoping to find a Petrol station. I was relieved as I pulled into the station and I was in a bit of a hurry, not wanting to be late for the seminar. The attendant helping me was a man with the name “Happy”. Trying to make small talk I commented on his name, saying Happy are you happy? He looked me straight in the eyes and I was shocked as I saw the sorrow staring back. He softly said “Nee meneer” No sir. I could not help but ask what is wrong. Tears started to whelm up in his eyes and he said even more softly “hulle het my kind doodgemaak laas maand” they killed my son last month. We were staring at one another and as the tears rolled down his face I could feel the warmth as my own tears started to roll down my cheeks. At that moment I was so aware of God’s love for this guy that I got off my motorcycle and gave him a real bear hug. The sobs seems to force themselves out of his body as he was trying to hold back. I took him by the arm and we walked to the station office. We found the owner and as I started to explain what has happened and the fact that I am a Pastor, he interrupted with relief telling me that he is a Christian and how worried he is about Happy. He asked me to talk to Happy, and said we could use his office.
Thus we ended up in the office, me and Happy with the owner serving us Coffee and biscuits. Happy told me about the pain of his loss. How his whole life was brought to a sudden stop. He also told me about his mother and her devotion to God. How she was always praying for him and his brothers. He was the only one who never gave his heart to the Lord, his older Brother who died in Taxi crash knew the Lord. His brother just younger that himself who died at the age of 24 in hospital of a sickness knew the Lord. Their youngest brother who died at the age of 12 of a sickness knew the Lord. His brother two years older than himself, his only living brother knows Christ. He told me that his son did not know Christ and then he started to sob uncontrollably. I was dumbstrucked by his story, a story of pain and suffering which is not unlike the story of many Africans. We sat there for an hour and a half as he spoke. My amazement was growing as I realised that he is building up his story to a point where he wants to give his heart to the Lord. I said nothing,(and this is very difficult for a pastor) he just kept on speaking and speaking. It was as if the pain was draining through his mouth and the best I could do was to keep my mouth shut.
Then suddenly he said “Pastoor ek moet regmaak met God” Pastor I must sort out my life with God. At that moment the Owner of the station stuck his head around the door to ask if we needed anything. I said yes he must join us for a moment. I told him that Happy wants to give his heart to the Lord, Johan the owner was very excited until I told him, that he must help Happy give his heart to the Lord. Johan said, he didn’t know how. I told him and Happy to kneel with me and then told him to lead Happy in the sinners prayer. I explained to them the sinners prayer and then Johan prayed the sinners prayer with Happy. All three of us were overwhelmed and ending up embracing one another. I also explained to Johan that he needed to take Happy under his wing and start a process of discipleship with him.
I now have a appointment with Johan and Happy once a month for a hour and a half to help them on the way ahead in their ministry at the Petrol Station. Johan insisted that I do not pay for my tank of petrol and said that each month when I visit I must make sure the tank is empty. If I help fill their tanks he would fill my bike’s tank.
As I drove off I realised that I met Jesus at the Petrol station He was waiting for me, Happy and Johan. How many times have I missed Him before because I was in just to great a hurry to to talk to people around me.
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