Before we went to the yurt camp, our mentor (the amazing Stephanie) asked us to only use our phones for music or note-taking. It was meant to be a week without technology. That way, we didn’t have distractions to what God aimed to do with us while we were there.
While we were at the Yurt camp, we simply worshipped, prayed, and read our bible. In that steph taught us so much along with our squad leaders. Some hard truths got spoken to me; if you missed that, you can go read it Here.
I thank God for telling her this because my mom attempted to call in the middle of it. I never got notified of it, though, because my phone had zero signal. Upon returning to some civilization, I saw that I had a missed call from her. So I messaged her and apologized for not picking up, and explained why I didn’t answer. Then, she told me that my grandpa Jack had passed in the middle of my yurt experience.
This was both difficult and amazing to hear. You see, my grandpa, for 85 years, rejected Jesus. There are plenty of memories of him not wanting to pray, worship, go to church, or even listen to someone talking about Jesus. He was entirely resistant to the gospel, but God WANTED him in the family of faith.
This picture really shows you how similar my grandpa and dad are. They both RARELY smile for pictures lol. I love them both so much though!
I visited my grandpa in October before the World Race, knowing that it was most likely my last time seeing him, though that fact did not hit me until right before the start of my journey in January 2021. I cried and prayed as I had never before. I got serious about the spiritual battle that he was going through. My prayers looked much different than they had in the past; there was no longer just a nice little prayer thrown up, hoping that God would hear me and respond. No! I cried and petitioned for him because I LOVED my grandpa and realized hell was real! I realized that he was heading there if the Holy Spirit didn’t soften his heart.
I love this picture of my grandpa! As he got older, he became softer to everyone and everything around him. This picture, like some others out there, reveals that God was doing work inside him before he ever heard the gospel. I miss this crazy guy!
I’m excited to say that my grandpa joyfully accepted Christ as of April of 2021! There are no words for the excitement and joy I felt learning about that. So I will get to see him again, and for that, I thank God! It was only by his grace and mercy that my grandpa got to be home with Him.
Hell is Real, but Prayer is Really Powerful! If you are adding prayer at the end for someone you care about, Stop! Start with Prayer, then add whatever else Jehovah tells you to add. Prayer was the most powerful instrument used to aid in my grandpa’s journey. Ask my mom and dad, it was not our words spoken to him, but our prayers lifted for him.
Jacken, I love that you posted this! After your grandpa was saved and then baptized he often commented that he had waited to long and he wanted to share the gospel with others. Since his passing his testimony has been shared over and over and he continues to reach others. For all those out there that have someone like my dad never give up God hears you!
So very true! Your grandpa loved you so much! Prayers do matter!