Fisher of men while fishing

I love fishing, It is one of my greatest passions! I love that it is always a challenge! For example, trying to figure out what bait to use, what area of the lake to try, or even the different ways you can reel in your lure. You have to understand how the sunlight, water, temperature and even time of year affect the fish. There are so many variables and yet at the same time, the fish could bite anyway or not at all even if everything is perfect. It reminds me of ministry and how you can say or do or be the exact thing someone needs but in the end it is God who changes their heart in His timing. It reminds me that we can never give up and that we need to build relationships with people because that is what is going to hold up in the long run. For when God does change their heart we will be there to celebrate and support them in their journey. Plus think how much you can learn from someone as they go through that process! It’s the same for fishing. You can’t give up, you need to keep trying new things or learning about the lake or fish in order to finally make the catch. It’s a journey, it’s a process.

When I first moved here and talked to some locals I thought my fishing hobby was gone and I wouldn’t touch a rod again. Obviously that didn’t happen! When you enjoy something you fight for it, especially if can be used to reach people who need Christ! I kept talking to more people and after Jose (A leader at our church I have gotten to know very well and who has become my fishing buddy) got the bug to go, he helped me find a store downtown. We went and chatted with the guy behind the counter. He explained that he was the only store in town. I was happy to have one store but realized maybe nobody fishes here because it is not good. Again this didn’t keep me from asking more people and doing my own exploring with Jose. We fished a really cool lake full of rocks and clear freshwater. We saw a lot of fish but nothing I had in my bag worked. I knew I needed local help but where! I searched online again and found another local store, but wait, that man said he was the only one! The fishing community is weird I guess LOL. Not only did I find another store but a second as well. I went to both and received tons of tips on where to fish and what to use! What was even cooler was they both said there is a big fishing community here and many websites to connect with people on.

So over the past few months, Jose and I along with a few others have visited over 7 different lakes! The more I talk to people at church or in the city or at the lakes I have realized that many people are interested in going fishing. And as I said above there is a huge connection with fishing and ministry, so why would I not use this as a way to build relationships with people in my church, neighborhood, and new people! It can be used not only to strengthen a current relationship but also to evangelize to others! So I decided to put a little more time into fishing and use it as a tool to reach people and invest in them. Since then I have met so many new people at lakes and exchanged numbers so I could join them again! Then one day at a lake I met a man from California and he spoke English. We chatted for a while and then invited me to an amateur fishing club here in GDL! So I am now apart of this club and connected to 54 men who love fishing! AND let me tell you these men need Jesus! LOL I am so excited to be able to witness to them and build relationships with them through fishing! God knows the desires of our hearts and when we follow Him fully and say yes to his will, He fulfills the desires of hearts in His will! How cool is that!!