Yvonne's Testimony

Yvonne was working days at New York State Social Services and nights at the Canandaigua Yacht Club. This Friday night in mid September the Yacht Club closed early and she stopped to visit a friend.

When Joel Trimble opened the door of her friend’s apartment Yvonne was pleasantly surprised by the tanned, curly haired young man that said, “Hi.” But then Joel just stared at her blankly and didn’t say anything. She thought, “He’s cute but dumb”.

An awkward silence later, Joel finally asked Yvonne to come in. For six-teen days Joel and Yvonne saw each other every day and every evening. Yvonne was sick of her life of sin and hungry to hear about Christ. But Joel had scared away so many girls with his zeal that this time he was careful.

Yvonne did not know what to do but patiently wait. Every time she heard the name of Christ it was like a drink of cold water to her thirsty soul. Yet Joel refrained until the sixteenth night when he suddenly became frightened that this was not God.

Joel sat Yvonne down to rebuke her for her lifestyle. “The Devil sent you to keep me from my ministry in Haiti.” He began. Yvonne had attended Catholic schools for twelve years. She first remembered hearing God’s voice when she was seven years old walking through a pasture on her father’s farm. She wanted to be a missionary but thought that was only for nuns.

At age fifteen she forsook the Lord and began a reckless life to fill the void. For seven years she had been running at breakneck speed from God but He was always right there. Now the thing that she feared the most, to be confronted with her sins, was happening.

Yvonne remembered from Catholic Church that Jesus died for her sins. She thought, “As soon as Joel stops talking and condemning me to hell I am going to tell him so.” Joel just kept on with a litany of her sins. Yvonne was mentally repeating her answer, “Jesus died for my sins. Jesus died for my sins.” Suddenly she did not hear Joel; she was standing on Calvary.

Jesus was hanging on the cross covered in blood. His head was hanging way down on his chest. He picked up His head and looked at her and said, “I did this for you.” Yvonne said, “Yes, Lord!” Joel then stopped talking and Yvonne told him, “Jesus died for my sins.”

Joel was shocked and said he needed to pray about this. The next day when they met, Joel asked, “Have you ever thought of being a missionary?” Yvonne confessed she had dreamed of being a missionary since childhood. Then Joel asked Yvonne to marry him.