Last month in Malaysia, I listened to a podcast in which NT Wright said that miracles come through people's continual obedience to God. He explained how nothing happens spontaneously but rather miracles are the compilation of a thousand little decisions and acts of obedience that culminate in one event that can be classified as a miracle. I tucked that truth away, unaware that God had plans to teach me this lesson in the very near future.
Let me preference the story with this: God is so much bigger than we can ever imagine. This is just one part of a much bigger story that He is orchestrating here in Vietnam and I am humbled and honored that He chose me and my teammates to be apart of it.
The part of the story that is mine to tell starts on Friday when my teammate Kristin struck up conversation with a Vietnamese university student named Thuong who had never heard the name of Jesus before. She was intrigued so Kristin began telling her about Him and by the end of their conversation, Thuong wanted to know more. Kristin gave her a bible and a short reading assignment and they set a time to meet up for coffee the following day to talk more and answer any questions that might have come up.
Kristin told me about her coffee date that night and I told her I would go with her. Saturday morning turned out to be crazy and when it came time to get ready to meet up with woman, Kristin and I found ourselves lying down in bed with very little desire to get up. As we were mustering up energy to get up, I half heartedly uttered a prayer for strength and that the Holy Spirit would guide our conversation as I continued to roll around on my bed, struggling to deny the very strong desire to stay right where I was. We got ourselves out the door and we were met Thuong who had brought her friend Khoa along. Khoa had never heard the name of Jesus until Thuong came back the night before and told him about her conversation with Kristin and he too wanted to know more.
Turns out that God answers half hearted prayers because what we thought would be an hour long conversation turned into a 4 hour discussion of the GOSPEL – not just the fluffy 'God loves you' gospel but the real deal – the old and new testaments, commandments and covenants, sin and death, life and Jesus, separation from the Father and the Holy Spirit, creation and science, faith and life, abounding love and peace, adoption and prayer. Each question they asked took us deeper and deeper into the Truth and the Bible was our guide.
As we sat there sharing about the best part of our lives with our new friends, time evaporated and the Spirit made His presence known. One of the sweetest moments was when we were talking about prayer and Thuong asked, "You mean I can talk straight to God anytime? I can do that?" The joy in her eyes and smile when we told her yes is something I will never forget.
As it came time to part ways, they said they needed some time to process everything we talked about but agreed to meet again the next night at Grace Cafe. They came Sunday night and we answered more questions, worshipped alongside them, and listened to our contact tell his testimony. As the night came to a close, Khoa wanted to pray and accept Christ so we huddled around him and rejoiced as he professed his faith in Christ in Vietnamese. Within 48 hours of hearing the name of Jesus for the first time, Khoa was forever changed and I know Thuong will be too because the Lord is running after her hard.
And that's the thing. God has been pursuing these two for some time, working in their hearts and orchestrating everything so that our paths would cross because God wanted us to be apart of what He was doing. But in order for that to happen, we had to opt in. We had to say yes and be obedient in what He asked of us. Kristin and I "weren't feeling it" Saturday but we went to coffee anyway. And look what happened!
Three more people that we have been blessed to know this month have put their faith in Christ since Sunday night. The Body is growing and there is nothing better than that. Nothing. I am giddy with excitement and awe at what God is doing in the lives my friends (and now brothers and sisters!!). He is drawing His children back to him and He won't relent. It is powerful and lives are being changed. Words don't even begin to do justice to the joy it has been to see and experience this.
The Lord has lit a new passion and desire in my heart for sharing the Gospel and I need your help in order to keep the fire burning. I am in need of $2800 by March 1st to be fully funded and stay on the Race and be able to continue to share the best news there is. That's 5 days away. I know it may sound crazy but I am confident that God will once again provide and that He might be wanting to use you to further His kingdom through this financial partnership.
How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" // Romans 10:14-15
I am humbled daily that God chose to send me on the Race and decided to use, teach, and mold me around the world. Please help keep me on the field where it has been a joy to plant seeds and see transformation in the darkest of places. Help be apart of my own transformation as I learn what it looks like to walk in love and in obedience.
Blessings to you and all praise and glory be to God
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