The Reality of God

Somewhere, in a small town outside the city of Vienna, Austria, a country we never planned to come to until a few hours before we left, we have once again managed to meet with the living Spirit of Christ. The missionaries we stayed with in Budapest told us about a retreat center or rather a missionary getaway on the outskirts of Vienna. We arrived here with only a phone number, found the place in the middle of the night and met Nana. Nana is a 58 year old man from the Ivory Coast in Africa, with a loud ascent resembling that of the monkey Rafiki in the Lion King. Once again we have been welcomed in with the open arms of unabashed hospitality. This place we are in is amazing. Its intention is to be a haven getaway for missionaries and a ministry for international refugees.
This morning we ate breakfast with Nana. I asked him if he had come to faith back in Africa and he proceeded to tell us the amazing story of the reality of God in his life. A wealthy businessman, intellect and Christian hater, Nana married a Christian woman. He prohibited her from going to church or having anything to do with faith. She would secretly hold a bible study while he was at work and he became furious one day when he came home early and discovered this. He sought to expose those without permits from the government (a requirement to have church) and expunge Christianity. On two different occasions praying men came to him speaking of visions they had of his life, one claiming Nana would one day be walking in the snow, bible in hand, preaching the word. Seven years later every word of those spoken prophecies is true. He was forced to leave Africa 4 years ago because of the war. Everything they owned was destroyed and they were brought here with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Nana begged in the streets in the dead of winter just to provide food, all the while his wife still praying for the Lord to move. A man from Iran found Nana in this refugee camp and took him to this IT missionary center. When Nana found it to be Christian he left furiously. After persuasion from his wife they went back because they had nowhere else to go. It was that day that an American missionary spoke on the light yoke of Christ and Nana gave his life to the Lord. He found himself weeks later fulfilling his prophesy as he walked through the snow, bible in hand, preaching the gospel. He says, “Life has never been the same because for me that was the first day of life. I told God never, but he knitted me in my mothers womb and as I ran away God sat up in heaven tapping his foot saying, ‘If he only knew. Let him run around, he will come.’ I want all to know the reality of Christ. Jesus is real. He is always and forever alive. I know because I have seen it in every step of my life, from the Ivory Coast to this very moment.” Nana now runs the refugee center we are staying in. I am overwhelmed with what I have heard from him.
With every passing day I am made more aware not only of the absolute realness of God, but of my great need for him.