I want to share a little story that is all about how incredible and faithful and incredibly faithful our God is. I initially wrote all of this in response to a question that we answer every week for our amazing squad leaders, coaches, and mentor – how have you helped to further the Kingdom this week? But really, this story has very little to do with anything that I’ve done. I’ve just been given an amazing opportunity to be a small part of what God is doing here in Bangalore!
So last week Zach, Karissa, and I went out adventuring (yes, that’s a verb on the World Race) one evening after ministry. There we were, three white Americans casually walking down the streets of Bangalore, India like we belonged there. Suddenly, we turned around to find an elderly man running after us, calling out to us excitedly. We couldn’t quite figure out what he was so excited about, until he explained that it is ‘such a rarity’ and a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ to see….white people. Ha! He invited us to come into his home and meet his family, and his delight in our willingness to do so was almost overwhelming. Apparently, this man never in his life thought that he would have the privilege of hosting a group of real, live Americans in his very own home.
We spent over an hour meeting this man’s entire family, who he called to come home early from work so that they could all have this incredible experience too! I spent most of our time with his daughter, who is in her late 20s and is married with an adorable – and very chatty! – young son. She is one of the absolute sweetest people I have ever had the privilege of meeting, and we had so much fun talking and getting to know one another! Before we left, I gave her my Facebook name and promised to accept her friend request as soon as I had internet so that we could arrange another time to meet up with her precious family.
However, in later conversations with our ministry host, we were told that we shouldn’t add strangers outside of the church on Facebook because of the possible persecution it could cause for Albert’s family and for us (because our profiles are plastered with WR paraphernalia and other proclamations of our Christianity and status as missionaries). So I was not able to accept my friend’s request and thus had no way to communicate with her and make sure to see her family again. I really felt a special connection with this family and sensed the Holy Spirit had more in store for our relationships with them, so I prayed for us to somehow meet them again so we could work out another form of communication.
In His utter faithfulness, the Lord answered my prayer! First, as we were driving home from ministry, Zach spotted Bonnie* walking down the street on her way home from work! She ran over excitedly and we quickly exchanged email addresses through the window of our host’s car. (I realized only later that I had somehow put a wrong number in my email address…nice try, Satan!) Clearly, though, the Lord had even greater plans. Later that same evening, Zach and I went out exploring again and lo and behold, we saw Bonnie* again!! She was with two younger women who she introduced as new coworkers at the hospital where she and her husband work.
We happened to be just outside of one of the many Hindu temples in Bangalore, and this sparked spiritual conversations with all three of these women. I found out that both of Bonnie’s coworkers are Christians (!!), and immediately got their email addresses so that I could be sure to see them again and encourage these women in their faith. Praise the Lord for this promise that He will continue to pursue Bonnie and her family even after we have to leave India! Zach talked with Bonnie and she explained that she claims to believe in Hinduism, mostly because her parents sometimes force her to go to their temple on Saturdays. But really, she just wants to believe that we’re all humans so ‘we’re all in this together, you know?” Oh, that the Lord would open her eyes to the Way, the Truth, and the only real Life!
The girls eventually headed home and Bonnie called her husband and son to come and meet us, so we ended up chatting outside of this temple for over an hour and it was so wonderful. We have plans to see them again one evening this week, but who knows when the Lord will allow us to meet again! Please pray with me that the Lord would continue to stir the hearts of this family and turn them toward Him!
With love and wanderlust,
Cassady
*Name changed to protect the identity of this sweet woman and her family, for when they become believers. Which they WILL; I’ve already talked to Jesus about it.
