Over at Learning How to Love, Brad Ruggles offers his post-event tips entitled "Catalyst for Dummies". Some very practical after-action steps that any Catalyst attendee can, and should, consider when we all get home and debrief from the event. But he also asks about what was the favorite part?
As I shared over on Brad's blog, it was difficult for me to narrow it down because there was so much rich content. That said, I was particularly moved by the Compassion International presentation situated between two of Friday's main speakers. A formerly sponsored child through Compassion, Jimmy Wambua, was interviewed on stage by Catalyst emcee Ken Coleman. He shared his story with the 13,000-member audience.
When Jimmy was only four years old, his mother became ill. His father was not in the picture and given the state of his situation, he resorted to scavanging for food and whatever else he could find to simply survive. Then, at age seven, his mother took him to live with an aunt, while she went to try to find help. That is when she came across Compassion International. She came back and got Jimmy and took him to the Compassion organization.
That was when Jimmy got his first letter from Mark, which he proceeded to read to us from the stage. Mark described himself as a 20-year old college student. He talked about how much he enjoyed being able to start a friendship with little Jimmy. But he also wanted to introduce Jimmy to the greatest friend of all, Jesus.
After reading the letter, Jimmy explained that he eventually gave his heart to Jesus. And with Mark's support over the years, Jimmy explained that Mark had essentially saved his life. Jimmy is now studying at Moody Bible Institute, with plans to eventually go back to Kenya to serve his own people.
After hearing Jimmy's compelling story, Ken Coleman then asked if he had ever talked with Mark or met him. Jimmy said he hadn't. It was at that moment that Mark walked out on the stage and toward Jimmy. When Jimmy laid eyes on him, they quickly approached eachother and embraced for a long time. After literally 3-4 minutes of extended embrace, Ken was unable to continue the interview and poor Jimmy slumped to the floor crying almost-uncontrollably. Mark knelt next to him and put his arm around him until everyone could get some composure. They were eventually able to finish out the interview before making their way off stage.
In terms of sheer raw human drama, it was one of the most poignant moments I have ever personally witnessed. To see the one whose life has been saved being embraced by the one who affected that life so deeply was gripping. It reminded me of the power of true Christianity lived out, that a young college student would faithfully give of his time, money and resources to save the life of a stranger. Then again, is that not what Jesus did for all of us, whether we even know Him or not? Absolutely amazing! 
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