Who would have thought that Milk and Honey Land Cafe' in Harbin, China, on the other side of the world, would be a divine appointment that would make my heart soar further than I ever thought it could.
I was having a tough morning. I didn't have a great attitude, and my 'head wasn't in the game.' Ministry days were getting long, and I was honesty just burnt out. I was struggling with some personal things that God was laying on my heart, and honestly all I really wanted to do was go crawl in bed and be alone.
We decided half way through the day that we all needed a break. We wanted to find some coffee and go sit for a little bit, so Rebecca (our interpreter) said that there was a new place that had just opened up down the street and maybe we should go check it out.
As I was walking down the street with my heart heavy, tears welling in my eyes, and my feet sliding sluggishly on the sidewalk, I look up and lay eyes on the divine appointment that God had been planning. You know, I question that guy A LOT, but his timing sure does seem to be perfect…….always.
Milk and Honey Land Cafe had been open for two months. Lucy loo and Chris had just gotten back from the UK studying. While they were there they found the Lord and accepted him into their lives. They knew that when they got back to China they had to bring Christ back with them in a place that so desperately needs it. They opened a UK themed coffee shop that would minister to others and spread the love of Christ. How freakin' cool, right?
Walking into this cafe instantly brought me joy. It was a joy that I needed at that very second. It was a joy that made my heart sing when I walked in. It was a beautiful cafe that instantly brought a breath of fresh air to our souls.
After sitting and talking with Lucy loo and Chris for over an hour, we decided that we wanted to host an english corner at their cafe in a few days. They hadn't been getting much business, and knowing that they were Christians in this nation with so few that call God their father, we wanted to bless them as much as possible in this short time that we had left here. Chris made 400 flyers for us and we went to the college campus and passed them out inviting anyone and everyone to come meet us and talk at Milk and Honey Land.
The day of the english corner was here. Before everyone was going to show up, we sat as a team in the cafe and prayed and sang worship songs. We prayed that God would manifest in this place and that his presence would be known to all who didn't know him. When the clock struck one the place started flooding with people. Within minutes we had the place packed. Conversations were starting, laughter was being shared, and the presence of God was overflowing. We even had a time of singing, which included some Katy Perry (upon their request) and some worship songs. The place was filled with singing and complete happiness.
I sat for 4 hours with the same three guys the entire time. We talked about absolutely everything. We had light conversation that any young group of friends would have, but we also dug deep and talked about what Jesus has done in my life, and why I gave up a year of my life to go tell the nations about him. They had never heard the name of Jesus before, and had never had "deep" conversation like that with someone…… especially from America. Towards the end David looked at me and said, "We need more people like you in this world, Betany." As tears filled my eyes I looked at him and explained that his dreams have no limits. I told him that when God created me in America, him in China, and the young orphan in Africa he made us perfect in his image. He made us the same……. children of the one true king. I looked in his eyes and made sure he knew that there was NO difference between us. Our love that we radiate to this world had NO limits.
I'll forever be thankful for Milk and Honey Land cafe' and the ways they will continue to minster to the people in China. I'll never forget the faces of Lucy loo and Chris when they scanned their cafe and saw the place filled with people talking about the gospel and sharing in laughter. It was as if their dreams and their visions had come true. I'll continue to pray that God would move in the hearts of the people who walked in that day. They spirit is now in them, and the seed has been planted in their hearts.
And the other cool part?? Lucy and Chris are hosting a movie night at their cafe for college students on Friday night. Praise God for opening doors and giving these beautiful children of yours the chance to know Jesus through this safe haven of Milk and Honey Land Cafe.
Thank you Jesus for the ways you will continue to move through Milk and Honey Land Cafe, and thank you Jesus for divine appointments that you fashion together so well in your perfect timing.
