I met Agusto this past Friday night, on Halloween. He joined my extended family around our fire as our kids happily devoured their candy rewards from earlier trick-or-treating efforts.
I felt like I was to share Jesus with him.
I didn’t.
Or maybe I did.
Agusto is from Ecuador. He has three kids. He owns a successful business. He likes beer and soccer. Agusto was vulnerable with us. We found out that he does not live with his wife anymore. They are separated. Agusto came over to the states when he was 18 and let his visa expire. He lived here illegally for eight years.
He asked if we minded if he had a beer. We said “no, we didn’t mind”, and my Father in law gave him one.
As Agusto sat there and talked with us, I felt like I was to ask Agusto about his faith.
I didn’t do it. It’s something I have a hard time doing. Asking people about their faith.
But as I sat there and thought about faith and church while Agusto was talking to us, I pondered why Christians go to Halloween “alternative” parties, “Hallelujah Nights”, or Harvest parties and shun Halloween so much.
I am a follower of Jesus and I want to be like him. I care what people like Agusto are going through. I care about people.
So even thought I am still processing how to have the courage to talk to someone about their faith, I shared Jesus with Agusto by showing love and caring. I genuinely wanted to know about his life and I will pray for him that his family will have reconciliation, that he is blessed, and that he will become a follower of Jesus if he is not.
Maybe I will see Agusto again. Perhaps, then I could ask him about his faith.
Even on Halloween.
