In preparing for my senior recital, I have endured countless hours of practicing and performing my pieces. I have also suffered a few injuries, one being an infected finger. Thankfully I have a pharmacist for a father, who sent me some medicine to reduce the pain. Just to be safe, I wanted to get a manicure to make sure the dead skin was completely gone to minimize my chances of the infection worsening.
I walked into the nail salon, and an older woman greeted me and said, “Pick out your color,” in a Vietnamese accent. As she began soaking my hands, she asked how old I was and where I went to school.
I replied, “Pepperdine, and I am a senior! I am graduating this year! Where are you from?”
“Originally from Vietnam, but I have been in California for 20 years.” she responded.
I thought to myself, “God are you opening a door? I just wanted to come and relax.”
Vietnam is one of the countries I will be traveling to on my race, and I knew that I could learn from this woman, or remain quiet and “enjoy” my time at the salon. I believe that God is present in every decision, every party, every death… EVERYTHING! So I took a leap of faith.
“Oh really? I am going to be a missionary and one of the places I am going is Vietnam!”
For the next forty-five minutes, Phuong told me the “do’s and don’t’s” when living in Vietnam. She explained to me that she is only in America because her sister supported her through school. She was able to escape to America, and by the grace of God has made a life for herself and family.
I asked her about her faith, and she was RAISED Catholic! She said it was almost impossible to get a job in Vietnam if you identified with Catholicism, but this did not stop her. Now, she is heavily involved in her church and helps to raise awareness for refugees in Vietnam.
I walked in there expecting nothing, yet God was on the move and is sovereign! Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” I write this to encourage you to be on the edge of your seat, waiting for God to do something. Ask and He WILL give you the opportunity to proclaim the gospel!
Next time you go to get your nails done or hair groomed, I encourage you to ask the beautician, “Where are you from?”
