Journey With Pearls Begins
Traveling to Mogoñe, Mexico to speak at a conference called “Women on Mission”, I prayed for God to speak to my heart. I wanted a special message for these very precious Mexican Indians.
God clearly lead me to this parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45
God spoke to my heart and gave me insights into the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. I, not being a theologian, leaned on a message by A.W. Pink which shed much light on the meaning of parable.
After I spoke, I gave every woman a pearl as a memento of the truths I taught them. I asked them to join me on mission, promising to give away pearls everywhere I traveled and when I returned, I would tell them what happened.
It was then that I learned that since their salvation, they thought they were the last people to hear the good news about Jesus. I reported that 42% of the world still does not even have access to the gospel! There was a great discussion in their language about this problem. They committed to join me on mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Before I left, these amazing women got on their knees on the rough concrete floor and prayed for over an hour. My knees were killing me, but they prayed fervently to the Lord in prayer. They hugged me before I left, committing to pray over every peal I gave away. I promised, Lord willing, I would return.
While I was in Turkey six months later, with my pearls in tow, I boarded a crowded ferry and crossed over to the Asian side of Istanbul. While on the ferry, a young Turkish Muslim lady caught my eye. I wondered if she spoke English. I wondered if she’d let me give her a pearl!
When I asked her what was her name, she responded, “My name is Sedef. Do you know what Sedef means in Turkish?” Since I had no idea, she shared, “My name in Turkish means, “Mother of Pearl.” I was stunned, opened my purse, and gave her one of my pearls. This time she was stunned. We hugged. I gave her a card with this Bible verse on it, “With God all things are possible!” Matthew 19:26
Waiting another 6 months, I returned to Mogoñe with the amazing testimony of what God had done through their prayers. I asked the women if they remembered the pearls I have given them. They raised their hands to show me that they had kept their little pearl and kept their promise to pray.
As I showed them the photos of Turkey and the ferry as I told them the story of Sedef. Together we prayed for Sedef's salvation and marveled at what God had done already through their prayers.
What a glorious celebration of God’s faithfulness we had in Mexico. Since then, I have talked to hundreds of people from around the world and given away hundreds of pearls. As I travel, I’m always ‘looking for those who are looking’. You see, many people are looking for something vital that is missing in their lives. They are searching for life’s meaning, for peace of mind, for love. If they have never come to personally know the one true God, a little pearl placed in their hands is a beginning.
Divine Nature on Display
“…an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” Revelation 14:6
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
