While walking pensively for quite some time along Nairobi’s busy street saturated with cars, I mustered up enough courage to walk to an infamous slum known as Kibera. It wasn’t even a few meters later I meet up with a young man with a pink back pack. Completely engrossed in deep the young man's soft “Hello” broke my concentration and transitioned me into an engaging conversation. While chatting down the road we exchanged names and backgrounds. I quickly learned his name, Akim.

    About the span of an hour we talked about politics, growing up, and most importantly religion. I  learned Akim was waning back and forth between Christianity and Islam. While he shared to me his thoughts, I bit my tongue and listened. After he completed his thoghts, I challenged Akim to study the Word and draw a conclusion. We went over the ten commandments where he admitted to me that he was guilty. Akim even acknowledge he wouldn’t make it to heaven; however, he wasn’t in a rush to repent of his sins either. I believe most Christians face this issue when sharing the gospel. There are many individuals who are in the “process” of making a choice to believe in Jesus, but with no intention to choose in the near future. Sure down the line, but fixing their issues would come later in life. I clearly understand now what John Bunyen meant when he wrote the story of the dreamer in Pilgram’s Progress.

The Interpreter bade him tell to Christian the reason of his so doing. So he said, “This night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and behold the heavens grew exceedingly black; also it thundered and lightened in most fearful manner, that it put me into an agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven; they were all in flaming fire; also the heavens were in a burning flame. I heard then a great voice saying, “Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment.” And with that the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth: some of them were exceeding glad and looked upward and some thought to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the Man that sat upon the cloud open the book and bid the world draw near. And he called out to them that stood around Him, “Gather together the tares, the chaff and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake.” And with that, the bottomless pit opened, just where about I stood. It was also said to the same person, “Gather my wheat into the garner.” And, with that, I saw many caught up into the clouds; but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not; for the Man that sat upon the cloud still kept His eye upon me; my sins also came into my mind, and my conscience did accuse me on every side. Upon this I awakened from my sleep.”

 http://www.learnthebible.org/pilgrims-progress-chapter-1.html

    How many “Akims” are there in this world? Not only on my continent, but everywhere on earth. If I can take an hour of my time to share the gospel potentially saving a life, why do I hold back? I’m the one who accepted the challenge when I ask Jesus into my heart. Crossing paths in another persons life may be the first and last chance you’ll have. After our paths diverged, I wondered if we would ever meet again, and if so, would he have become a Christian by then. Could today have been the only time that I had? Certainly, I will continue to pray for Akim; however, I am encouraged to share more confidently and frequently than I have before. I wish to share Christ’s love for people even outside of the camera. Sometimes we have to put down lay aside our "ministry work" and spend time with the people we are working for. Not in an obligated way, but in a way that brings love and joy. Be honest be caring. As His children, we all share in this great commission. Let’s not loose the fire to commit to Him!

-Your Brother and Friend in Christ
Hikari David Sekiguchi