Hitchhiking – Noah’s Story (part 1)

We were rushing home (to the ranch) to prepare dinner for the entire crew, when we turned on the entrance ramp to the highway and spotted a man and his dog sitting on the side of the road.  We stopped before entering the highway, backed up, jumped out of the car and prayed.  It was our “opportunity,” as stated by our Project Leader, Paul.  My mom was the cook for our group and we had quite the agenda planned out for the evening, so stopping was a little stressful for her.  Then there was my friend Rachel, and me.  First excitement raced through my mind; excitement for the opportunity to share the gospel.  I had always been so afraid to tell others, but now was our chance.  Then, fear crept in because there was no telling how things would go when we began talking to this man.  

 

We prayed a quick prayer to get clarity and direction from God. Once we walked over to the guy and his dog, there was another man already talking with the hitchhiker. The hitchhiker’s name was Noah. This other dude was telling Noah that he may be able to come back and give him a ride.  Noah’s destination was Cincinnati, his home, and where his family lived (later we learned that Noah ’s life was going down the wrong path in Cincinnati and that was the reason why he left).  We chatted for a little while until Paul asked permission for our group to step away and pray about something.  We went about 20 feet away and prayed for direction.  Rachel and Paul both wanted to help and take him to Knoxville (his next destination).  My mom and I were a little on edge, probably her more than me, because I wanted to be sure this opportunity was meant for us and didn’t want to do something that wasn’t in God’s will.  My mom and I both wanted to get to know him better.  Our project leader proposed that if we felt a peace about it, we would have to signal him.  He gave us each very specific signs to give him. Then we went back and talked with Noah.  In our conversation, he mentioned that he was a cook. In that moment my mom was like, “YES!”  So, we prayed for him then a little bit, and after it was over he was like “wow, thank you so much for that.”  I really felt that was good and Jesus was with us in that moment, so I said yes too.  He also shared with us that he recently began praying to God as he was hitchhiking home from the town of Damascus (somewhere in the Appalachian mountains).  Then I had this thought to take him to back at the ranch for dinner.  Paul asked if we could take him to Knoxville that night, but first make a stop at the Ranch.  He paused, and then agreed.  Although the other guy may have come back and might have taken him farther, Noah chose us.