A Panamanian Man Becomes the Evangelist
Illustrations. Object lessons. Parables. Jesus used them often.
So when Filter of Hope came up with an illustration using a water filter and clean water to share the gospel, it fit perfectly. It needs almost no explanation.
Carlos certainly got it.
Church mission teams from Indiana and Ohio were visiting Panama in the middle of July when one of the teams met Carlos. Ted Wilcox, a photographer with Cru, joined in the trip to help document the ministry taking place.
Ted explained that Carlos had had a difficult year. “After suffering a stroke last year, he had lost some mobility and movement in his facial muscles. Despite his trials, there was a quiet humor and warmth about him.”
After demonstrating the water filter, one of the team members asked an important spiritual question.
Cerbin Vargas, Filter of Hope’s leader in Panama, helps Carlos’ wife learn how to backflush the filter and remove the dirt, a practice we encourage filter recipients to do daily.
“On a scale of one to ten, how certain are you that if you died today, you would spend eternity with Jesus?”
“Like many people in Catholic-influenced Latin America, Carlos and his wife answered with numbers short of complete assurance.”
Carlos Explained It
Then something unexpected happened.
“Before we could explain the gospel, Carlos explained it to us.”
He quoted Romans 10:9 from memory. “He even used the clean-water illustration we were about to share to explain our sin and God’s holiness.”
As one of the mission team members held the cups, Carlos explained that the cup of dirty water represents our sin and the clean water illustrates what happens when we are forgiven for our sins through Jesus.
Ted was enjoying the moment. “I just smiled. God had already been at work.”
“We spent time encouraging Carlos and his wife, talking about the assurance we can have in Christ. Salvation isn’t a result of our good works, but it is God’s free gift, received by faith in Jesus.”
Before they left, Carlos surprised Ted and the team again. “He asked if he could join us the next morning to help distribute filters and share his own story with his neighbors.”
Carlos not only understood the water filter gospel illustration, he felt the need to spread it.
Ready to Go!
The mission team had inspired Carlos. “I never expected brothers and sisters from North America to come all this way just to bring us the message of salvation through Christ. That fills me with energy. It motivates me to continue believing in Christ. Your willingness to travel such a great distance gives me strength to go with you.”
The following day, he did exactly that. Carlos struggled a little physically, but he visited his neighbors’ homes to explain the filter and the meaning behind it.
Carlos eagerly joined the team and explained the filter and gospel to his neighbors.
Before they left, Carlos had one final message for the team. “I love you guys. I’m going to cry. I’m going to miss you so much.”
Then, with tears in his eyes, he added one more thing. “You know the way to my house. Don’t forget me.”
