By Campion Academy News – Loveland, Colorado … During winter break, Damaris, Campion student, was traveling back to Colorado with her family who made a short stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which had an unexpected consequence.

“We stopped at a Denny’s to get food. While we were waiting, I saw a homeless man asking for money,” remembers Damaris. Since she had spent the previous semester working as part of the literature ministries team at Campion Academy, she had gained confidence in talking to strangers about God.

“I remembered that my mom had the book “Happiness for Life” in the car, so I put money into it and gave him the book,” explained Damaris.

He said, “Thank you, but I don’t believe in God anymore,” not accepting the book.

Damaris asked, “If you don’t mind me asking, why don’t you believe in God anymore?”

The man responded, “Because my family told me that God did not exist.” He continued, “Do you believe in God?”

Damaris explained that she did.

He then asked, “Is it because your parents make you go to church, or do you go by choice?”

Damaris responded, “I go to church, and I believe in God because I always feel loved and always seem to be happier.”

She offered the book again, and this time the man welcomed it.

He asked if she knew of any churches nearby. Damaris took out her phone and searched for a nearby Seventh-day Adventist church, and she found one nearby. They parted ways, and as she went to eat with her family, Damaris prayed for the man to find a path to God.

When they had finished their meal, Damaris saw the man on her way out of the restaurant. He called out to her and said, “Thank you!”

Damaris asked, “For what?”

The man explained that while she was eating, he had gone to the church and spoken with the pastor there, and he had decided to attend Bible studies at that church.

Damaris reflected on the experience, “I felt amazing like something had just lit me up with joy. It felt so good to know that something so small that I had done had brought someone one step closer to God.”

–Campion News Team; photo supplied