Article submitted to Threads--5/28/07

I was surprised at how quickly the memory popped into my mind as I read the invitation to share an “uncomfortable experience” with other Threads young adults. After all, it's been almost 3 years since my first mission trip to Aberdeen, Scotland where I faced and conquered my fears of street evangelism.

In the summer of 2004, I joined over 300 people, mostly youth, on a mission trip in Aberdeen (a city labeled as the "unholiest city in Scotland") to bring the love of Jesus to all areas of the community, including nursing homes, neighborhood parks, and local dance clubs. Upon arrival, I was assigned to a street outreach team that would go downtown to pass out fliers for a Christian youth musical that we presented at night during the week. We were also instructed to look for opportunities to talk with people--to share what we were doing and why we were there.

Participating in street outreach in America would be enough to put me out of my comfort zone, but doing so in a strange country really had my anxiety meter in the red. On the first day of outreach, I clung to my teammates, timidly passing out fliers as we walked the downtown streets. I was nervous and self-conscious, and worried what "people will think." After the first few hours of handing out fliers, I sat down to rest on a bench near a plaza of shops, trying to escape my assignment. Soon, an older woman carrying several shopping bags came to sit next to me. She seemed tired, and I smiled at her and commented about the nice weather (a rare sunny day for Scotland). She agreed, noting my American accent, which seemed to influence her to continue to talk with me.

As we chatted, she told me that she was spending her birthday shopping with her daughter and granddaughter. She said it was a treat to be out for the day because her husband has Alzheimer's disease and she is his primary caretaker so she usually has to say close to home. When she shared this with me, I was able to connect with her, telling her that my grandmother also cares for my grandfather who has the same debilitating disease. Because I know the struggles my grandmother has faced, I empathized with the strain and burden that this sweet Scottish woman carried. I shared with her that God loves her and He must be very proud of her for the care she gives to her husband. As I said this, tears came to her eyes and I could see that what I said had truly touched her heart.

This simple conversation did something amazing for me. My compassion was awakened and I could see that the people of this city were just like me, with similar burdens and fears. It gave me confidence and passion to want to reach out to share the love of Jesus with the people of Aberdeen and people everywhere!