We went to the lobby of our hostel, and as we got there we were told that our contact would not be able to pick us up (for her safety we will call her Mary). Mary was being watched by the local police, and for her safety someone else would be taking us to our destination.
We knew, coming to Vietnam, that it was a closed country, but until this particular night we hadn’t experienced what that really means. That day, we weren’t going to a normal English club, we were there to share J3sus with the girls we had been working with. Even though Mary was being watched, she knew that this was important and that J3sus had it under control.
We were taken under a bridge where Mary, and a group of girls were waiting for us. We started by playing some silly games to break the ice. We couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy how funny we looked playing games under a bridge. Then we decided to ask the girls a very significant question: “Who is the most important or influential person in your life?” We went around the group and took turns sharing our answers. In the group, there were three girls who were already b3livers, and they shared how J3sus was the most important person in their life and told us why. Some girls said their mom was this person for them, and others said their grandparents were. At the end, I got to share with them how J3sus was important to me and all that He had done in my life.
Mary then shared a story with them in their native language so that they could fully understand what she was telling them without it getting lost in translation. She shared with them about the love of J3sus and how He had died for our sins and loved us more then we could ever imagine.
After sharing with them we broke out to have one-on-ones with the girls, letting them ask as many questions as they wanted. Mary brought donuts and mangos, which I was so happy about! We got to eat and share with them. One of the girls asked me about my tattoos and why I had so many. This is a subject that people ask me about a lot, but I’m always happy when they do. I got to share with her how each one of my tattoos shared a part of my story and what J3sus had done in my life. I shared with her about my drug addiction and how I had struggled with self harm and suicide. I shared how each one of my tattoos spoke and reminded me that He was always there and that He could, and already had, taken my pain and troubles away. He accepted me with all my craziness and that, although I had struggled with a lot, He gave me peace, love and freedom from it all! She laughed and said she was so happy that I had met J3sus because now she had the opportunity to meet me.
That night, under that bridge, two of the girls accepted J3sus into their hearts. They were so excited and couldn’t wait to get their B!bles so that they could start learning more about who this fella, named J3sus, is!
Even though Mary was being watched, and fear could have stopped us from going under that bridge, we trusted that this fella, named J3sus, would have our backs, and that He was in control and there was no need to fear. He sure wowed us that night that these two wonderful girls got to walk in the love and freedom that He offers.
I am so honored that this is the life I get to live, and that I get to partner with men & women who are so passionate about sharing His love; people who would risk it all because THIS MESSAGE IS WORTH SHARING!!
What is stopping you from sharing?
Meet our two new sisters in Chr1st!
