A Missionary Trucker's Experience

The following was written by Loren "Co-Pilot," a driver from Texas who looks for opportunities to serve the Lord wherever his job takes him:

How would you like to be a missionary? "What?!!" you say, "I can't do that, I have a family to feed and bills to pay."

Welcome to the club. Remember our world, it's a jungle out there, filled with concrete and steel (roadways), bears (highway patrol) and chicken coops (weigh stations), pitfalls by the score, and many, many lost and hurting people. That is the world of the American trucker.

While reading the following story of an actual night in my ministry, contemplate this short formula God has provided: 

1. Pray
2. Read (Try II Timothy 2:14-26)
3. Pray
4. Study (Try Luke 8:5-15)
5. Pray
6. Be faithful
7. Pray.

Did you notice four out of seven items? Keep your relationship with the Lord very close.

Hollywood and I loaded together in New Orleans, headed for the Midwest. He and I are owner operators leased to the same company. The evening deepened as we proceeded North on I55, Hollywood made this statement and asked a question. "My wife's aunt told me, all I need to do to get saved is go outside at night, look up at the stars and say, God save me, is that true?" The following narrative is recalled to the best of my ability.

"Hey Hollywood let's go to channel 10 so we don't make some other drivers mad on 19. Okay! Do you know who God is, and what do you want Him to save you from?"

"I guess not really, and I don't know what I need to be saved from. I'm an alright guy."

"We've got most of the night, would you like to hear what the Bible says about God, and man's need to be saved?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Okay, let's begin in the beginning."

I related through Bible stories, God in creation, God's judgment of sin, God's mercy and grace, for almost two hours of CB conversation

"Hey Co-Pilot", says an unknown voice, "Do you really believe that garbage, and why are you using so much power on your radio? You cross channel so bad nobody can even talk, I had to look all over for you, so I could talk to you."

My radio is nothing fancy just a barefoot blister pac cobra-no kicker.

"No extra power sir and yes I do, don't you?"

"No I don't and I don't want to hear about it on the CB"

"We got off channel 19 so we wouldn't bother you, but as long as you're here, let me tell you what the Bible says about people who reject Jesus and His sacrifice for us."

I then gave him and anyone else listening, the plan of salvation. Needless to say my message and I was rejected out of hand. Two other drivers were listening; one came to my defense and was treated the same way. "Y'all are crazy!" The other driver was silent.

We pulled off into a rest area for a few minutes, so I invited any driver listening to stop and I'd give them a free gift. I use Christian music with a message as tracts instead of printed material; drivers can listen while driving. The only taker was the silent driver, in fact he ran to receive them. We left the rest area about 45 minutes later.

"Hey Co-Pilot," the silent driver was silent no more, "Thanks for sharing tonight, my life has tanked and I was going home to blow my head off. I've got something new to think about now and thanks for the beautiful music. God bless and thanks again."

Epilogue
Hollywood didn't want to talk any more, so I don't know about any decisions that may have been made. I've never seen any of these men again. God didn't ask me to grow it, just be faithful and sow it.

Please pray for me and join me in reseeding our little piece of the jungle. ~Co-Pilot