I first saw her in the library. We were on our tour of the University and the number of gawking, giggling Chinese students should have been overwhelming. But Lily* walked right up to me, shyly staring at the ground getting up the courage to speak. I gave her my best encouraging, friendly, “I’m not scary, I promise” smile and waited for her to find her words. Our conversation started like just about every other one I would have throughout the next two weeks. But it was not the same.
I quickly made an appointment to eat lunch with her the next day, anxious to begin getting to know students. And that’s how it started. This beautiful friendship that turned into sisterhood.
I met with her just about every day that first week. I helped her practice her English and she took me shopping for a warm coat, knowing she’d get a better deal. I represented hope to her. She thought it was because I was American. I knew it was because I know the hope of Christ. On Saturday we invited her on a field trip–a chance to get away from campus and town and talk more freely.
I spent Friday night asking the Lord for an opportunity to share His love with her. And as I prayed, he gave me the story of Samuel. The Lord called Samuel’s name twice and he ran into Eli’s room, assuming he had called him.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.”
I quickly made an appointment to eat lunch with her the next day, anxious to begin getting to know students. And that’s how it started. This beautiful friendship that turned into sisterhood.
I met with her just about every day that first week. I helped her practice her English and she took me shopping for a warm coat, knowing she’d get a better deal. I represented hope to her. She thought it was because I was American. I knew it was because I know the hope of Christ. On Saturday we invited her on a field trip–a chance to get away from campus and town and talk more freely.
I spent Friday night asking the Lord for an opportunity to share His love with her. And as I prayed, he gave me the story of Samuel. The Lord called Samuel’s name twice and he ran into Eli’s room, assuming he had called him.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.”
Twice the Lord called, knowing Samuel would not respond to Him. When the Lord called a third time, Eli realized it was His voice. So he directed Samuel to answer Him, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This time, when the Lord called, Samuel was ready to respond.
The Lord was calling Lily. Calling her name before the word had been revealed to her. I got to be Eli and reveal the voice of the Lord that was already beckoning.
So on Saturday, as we strolled around the park, I explained God’s unfathomable, unconditional love for Lily. She was in awe that the Lord would love her so much. She pointed at strangers around us asking, “He loves him? And her? And me? He’s so wonderful!” Just like that.
As I taught her how to pray, she worked hard to memorize every word I said. And suddenly it dawned on me that she was committing my words to memory thinking she had to speak to Him in English. When I explained she could talk to the Lord in Chinese, her eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “He speaks Chinese?!?” Of course! Each new truth was received like a precious gift.
She could talk to Him in her mind anywhere.
On the bus?
Yes, on the bus.
Are you talking to Him right now?
The Lord was calling Lily. Calling her name before the word had been revealed to her. I got to be Eli and reveal the voice of the Lord that was already beckoning.
So on Saturday, as we strolled around the park, I explained God’s unfathomable, unconditional love for Lily. She was in awe that the Lord would love her so much. She pointed at strangers around us asking, “He loves him? And her? And me? He’s so wonderful!” Just like that.
As I taught her how to pray, she worked hard to memorize every word I said. And suddenly it dawned on me that she was committing my words to memory thinking she had to speak to Him in English. When I explained she could talk to the Lord in Chinese, her eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “He speaks Chinese?!?” Of course! Each new truth was received like a precious gift.
She could talk to Him in her mind anywhere.
On the bus?
Yes, on the bus.
Are you talking to Him right now?
Yes, actually, I am talking with him right now.
(You better believe I was talking with Him!!)
Can I tell my roommate how wonderful He is?
Yes, but you have to be careful. Not everyone believes like you do.
(It’s difficult to caution her when she wants to share God’s love!)
I just talked to him and told him I believe and that I need Him in my life.
That’s wonderful! What did he say?
He said yes. 🙂
And when I finally explained to her that because we both believe, we are sisters, she stared at me incredulously.
We are sisters?
He said yes. 🙂
And when I finally explained to her that because we both believe, we are sisters, she stared at me incredulously.
We are sisters?
Yes, we are sisters.
It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around her belief. Because it is so pure and innocent. She didn’t need all the answers. She didn’t need theological convincing. And while growth is necessary for maturity, for now, her childlike faith is incredibly beautiful. We plugged her into an underground group meeting on campus where she can grow in maturity. But ultimately:
God loves her. And she loves him. And that is enough.
*Not her real name.
