The following story was shared with us through The City's Story Center. Apart from simply being a great story of redemption, it's also interesting to see how God used a pretty rudimentary method of communication to make Himself known.
Growing up, my brother Mark and I were very close. When I graduated from high school and went into the military, Mark began working with a roofing crew, spending time with a rough bunch of guys, and became a part of a motorcycle gang. This gang life became his life, that included drugs, alcohol, and many other destructive ways that took him deeper and deeper down the path of trouble. Later he told me that there were probably at least a half dozen times that he should have died as a result of what he was involved in.
I was saved while in the Marine Corps, and began trying to share Christ with Mark. It was impossible to reach him on the phone, so I began to write letters to him and share with him the hope I had within me. I sent numerous letters, and in each one encouraged him to give me a call so we could talk. This went on for I don’t know how long. I believe I had come to a point where it seemed like it was no use, but I remember the night when I was sure that God was urging me to write one more time. I sat down to write Mark again, and the letter flowed from my hand. Along with my letter I sent a copy of the Four Spiritual Laws tract. I sealed the letter and prayed over it as I always had and put it in the mail box.
What I didn’t know, is that after receiving my first letter, Mark had begun throwing my letters away without even reading them. He got home from work late one night and there was my latest letter. When he saw it was from me, he picked it up to throw it in the trash, but hesitated and decided to open it. As he began to read he felt God’s presence all over him. He was overwhelmed and dropped to his knees as he was broken by conviction. He read through the Four Spiritual Laws and received Christ as his Savior.
I received a call from Mark the next day. I was stunned as I listen to him share his salvation story. Over the years we have continued to encourage each other in our walk. Mark consistently shares his faith with anyone, whenever he has the opportunity. Because of his past, he has been able to share the gospel many times with some rough-looking people that most of us would run away from. Now, after several short-term trips to Haiti, Mark believes God is opening an opportunity for him to serve full-time at an orphanage there. If you think about Mark, pray for him as he seeks to serve the Lord in Haiti.