I looked for my teammates as I sat on the plane next to a stranger. We were on a flight back to Michigan. Our school's basketball teams had just played in a tournament at Southwestern Adventist University. I thought of how boring the flight back would be as I looked at the man next to me drinking his yogurt. Little did I know that man would change my life.

He started the conversation, asking if I was with a school group. He noticed me looking at my friends across the aisle. I told him only a few things. Telling details of your life to a total stranger isn’t always the smartest thing! I told him about the Adventist tournament. Right when I mentioned "Adventist," our conversation flew from there.

He mentioned he had spoken at Andrews University one day, although he wasn't an Adventist. He said he had such a great experience because everyone seemed so friendly, nice, and caring. He really emphasized how he noticed that Adventist youth were different.

I thought, "This is my chance to witness!" as I said a silent prayer. I spoke of my experience going to Adventist schools from first through the 11th grade and also about the difference between kids in public and private schools. I even got to tell him about why Seventh-day Adventists worship on Sabbath! I was nervous, but somehow God gave me the words.

As the plane took off, he tilted his head back and closed his eyes. He looked like he wanted to puke so I prayed a silent prayer to God to give me courage to ask if he wanted me to pray. I was scared! I didn't know if he would yell at me and say "NO!" or if he even believed in prayer. I just didn't know. I went ahead and asked if he wanted to pray. He said, "Yes!" I prayed with him, thanking God for letting us meet on this plane, and asked Him to be with him and for a safe flight. It was amazing how relieved and comforted he became. He told me he really liked the prayer, put his head back, and then closed his eyes.

The flight back was a quiet one. He went to sleep. So did I. When we woke and were almost to our destination, he told me he wanted to send his young daughter to an Adventist school one day if finances allowed. I cried a silent praise to God. I know God doesn’t let finances get in the way of Christian education because I’ve experienced it firsthand.

As our plane came to a stop, I gave him a few Adventist websites to aid him in whatever he was searching for. I even gave him a website with a directory of Adventist churches in Michigan. And I finally got his name before we parted: Jim.

Every day I pray for Jim. I pray that one day God will re-unite Jim with me. I know someday God will. I left the airport changed. God used ME!

Jamille Banaag is a 16-year-old student at Great Lakes Adventist Academy. She just completed her junior year.