Barnabas and Paul were teachers in the church at Antioch. One day during a worship service, the Holy Spirit revealed a special plan for them. The church fasted and prayed and sent them on their way. 

They sailed to the island of Cyprus. Paul and Barnabas crossed over the island and came to the town of Paphos. An interesting thing happened in that town. There was a man named Bar-Jesus (also know as Elymas) who practiced magic and tricked people. His master, a government official named Sergius Paulus, wanted to learn from Paul and Barnabas. But Elymas didn’t want Sergius to hear their message. He started speaking against them. Paul told him he was going to become blind and not be able to see the light of the sun. Immediately everything became dark to Elymas. He couldn’t see anything! When Sergius saw what had happened, he believed the preaching of Paul and Barnabas. He was amazed at the story of Jesus. 

The two preachers continued to travel. There were no cars, trains, or buses. They either walked or rode on animals. They traveled miles and miles! Many people believed their teaching and became followers of Jesus.  

Paul and Barnabas suffered countless hardships and persecutions, but they considered these things trivial compared to the joy of obeying God and following the Holy Spirit. They no longer lived for themselves – but lived for God.