The Fifth Door

I remember my prayer that morning: “God, please help me find the people who need You the most, and show me someone I can study the Bible with.” I had decided to canvass during the summer. I was assigned an isolated city in southern Argentina, famous for its petroleum fields, roaring winds, and desert-like countryside. It also boasted the highest suicide rate in the country.

At noon I had just knocked on house number four and still had not talked to anybody. I knocked on the door of house number five and waited impatiently. Finally a man opened the door. He was interested in the books about health, but he hesitated when I asked him if we could pray together. He said that his wife was the religious one, but that she was not there at the moment. He also told me that they had experienced financial difficulties. They had no money for books.

I gave him a small booklet about key biblical truths with my name and phone number on the front page. As I headed toward the door, I saw an open Bible. With an optimistic smile I said: “I’m so glad you have a Bible! That book saved my life.” He closed the door and I started to walk the gravel road again.

An hour later I got a phone call from an agitated woman who asked me to please send a pastor to her house. Apparently, a girl had left a book with a phone number on it, and she was desperate to find someone who would answer her questions about the Bible. I had been the girl; and I was more than happy to help her. Then I remembered my prayer that morning.

We both cried as she told me her life story. But her tears turned to joy as she shared the peace she felt knowing that God was in control. We arranged to meet every Sabbath afternoon to study the Bible. Before leaving that first day, she told me: “My husband was startled when you said the Bible had saved your life. He kept wondering what had happened to you.” God uses our most “innocent” comments to touch skeptical hearts.

Summer went by and the day before I left for home I went to visit the couple, who had become my friends. I wanted to give them two of my favorite books, The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy. They invited me for supper and gave me a present. The woman had made a little cardboard Bible. She had decorated it and written: “Thank you for introducing us to the Bible.” As I was getting ready to leave, the man grabbed The Great Controversy and told me he was going to read it, then he asked me to pray! Surely, God’s Word is still “alive and active” and “not chained” (Heb. 4:12, NIV; 2 Tim. 2:9).

Every day hundreds of people, young and old, work in this ministry. Thousands of stories are yet to be told, many of which we will hear only in heaven. They all start with Jesus knocking on the doors of our hearts.

Have you answered His call? Have you knocked on any doors today?

Carolina Ramos studies translation, English teaching, and music education at River Plate Adventist University in Libertador San Martín, Argentina. She is passionate about mission and enjoys working with children and teens.