God's sovereignty in Gustavo's life

As Christians we all say that we believe in the sovereignty of an Almighty God. We would verbally agree that no one can prevent God from working or compel God to do what He does not wish to do. However, when problems arise we often complain or become discouraged as if God were not in control. Sometimes we witness some amazing “coincidence” and fail to see God’s hand in it. Either way, while we may profess to be believers in the sovereignty of God, we often act as if we are unaware that God is in charge. This post focuses on God’s sovereignty: His awe-inspiring work to bring people to Himself, especially as it relates to Gustavo's life.

You will recall that last month I wrote about Gustavo, a Cuban man who had come to our church service. In an amazing “coincidence” the very next Sunday Billy Patterson–a missionary who grew up in Mexico, spent some time pastoring there, and speaks fluent Spanish–“happened” to be at our church service to preach. Because he had only arrived in Mongolia for a short visit two days before, we did not extend him an invitation to preach until Saturday evening. By the time that he stood up to preach that Sunday, Gustavo had not arrived. One could be excused for wondering “Where was Gustavo?” However, Brother Patterson had not even concluded his opening remarks when Gustavo walked through the door without his wife.

Now consider the fact that Gustavo came alone. Gustavo speaks very little Mongolian; he speaks about as much Mongolian as I speak Spanish. His English is much weaker than my Mongolian too. His wife is expecting and was sick and vomiting Sunday morning when he rose from bed. He said later that he just planned to stay home but that something (I would say Someone) caused him to come without his wife. Since his wife was sick and he does not speak much Mongolian or English and he did not know that a Spanish-speaking man would be preaching, why should he come? I am convinced that God in His merciful sovereignty brought him out to our church service!

When Brother Patterson was introduced to Gustavo as a Spanish speaker he began to preach in English which was translated into Mongolian. Then he would follow up by repeating his preaching in Spanish. At the end of the service, Brother Patterson spoke with Gustavo personally for some time. At the end of that time, they knelt down to pray. When they rose from their knees, Brother Patterson said that Gustavo had become a Christian. Gustavo was smiling from ear to ear. Several hours later Gustavo sent me an SMS message, “Very good day today, thanks [sic].”

Later that week, Roland, Billy, and I went together to visit Gustavo and his wife at their home. Gustavo told us how in Cuba although his father and mother were Catholic his aunt was a Baptist who would read the Bible and gather him along with other children together to teach them about Jesus Christ. His aunt has since passed away, but she too had a part in planting the seed in Cuba that lead to Gustavo’s astonishing salvation in Mongolia.

Already in his young Christian life, Gustavo has shown instances of a repentant spirit and a desire to learn more about our Savior. The day that he made a profession of faith in Christ, I asked for my home church to send me a Spanish Bible for Gustavo. Of course, they sent it out before the end of the week. However, because it takes some time for mail to arrive, Gustavo asked me a week or so later, “Where is my Spanish Bible?”

I am convinced that it was not chance that brought Billy Patterson to our church. It was not fate that caused Gustavo to come by himself that Sunday. It was God showing once again His sovereignty in the affairs of men. Praise be to the Almighty God!