"Help!” I silently screamed to God. “I can’t do this work without You!” Discouraged, I got out of the van and slumped down near the closest steps. I pulled out Peace Above the Storm and desperately searched for something to spur me on another step. The book fell open to page 97, and I soaked in the wonderful words about filling our lives up with the Word of God. The author encouraged readers to carry their Bibles with them and memorize scripture in moments of idleness or travel.

Several businesses later, after my moment of restoration and reconnection with the God of the universe, my leader Rick Christman, dropped off another student, Erick, to work with me. The first thing he did was ask if I wanted to pray. I gratefully exclaimed, “Yes!” and then everything seemed to brighten up.

We walked into a Mugshots Sports Bar & Grill and spoke with the bartender frantically serving the men and women inside. In between orders, she grabbed seven dollars and handed it over the counter in exchange for a Peace Above the Storm book. While we were waiting for her, I struck up a conversation with the lady sitting closest to me and she ended up buying The Great Controversy and a cookbook. The Holy Spirit was totally pouring out His presence, so I requested to be able to talk with the rest of the individuals in the bar and my petition was granted.

Erick and I had the most incredible experience while the Holy Spirit used us as vessels to talk to every single person present and we got to pray with many patrons. Eighteen books were distributed. One guy exclaimed, “Thank you so much for doing what you're doing and not judging us for where we are!” Another guy, who I asked to pray with, declined on the basis that he didn’t feel comfortable praying while he was sitting at a bar in front of a beer. The Holy Spirit impressed me to simply say, “Jesus loves you!”We got to see a little glimpse into their lives and were privileged to witness the power of God reaching people right where they are. He does pour out His love to every single one of His children.

Cherie Meharry was attending Southern Outreach Leadership School in Florida when she witnessed at the bar. She plans to attend Southern Adventist University in Fall 2005.