It was Saturday the 14th at 4am, I woke to my roomate who was beside me, she was throwing up, and because she was up… she read an email from our people back in the states stating that they would be immediately transfering us from our location in south asia to Kazakstan. In the moment, I talked to God, but didnt feel the heart break of this because my friend next to me was pretty ill and also there is nothing I could do.
So that day, on our Sabbath rest day, we worshiped / made travel plans.
BACK TO Friday the 13th, my teammate Joe was walking around praying and asKING our Dad to being another friend to us.
Joe also really wanted to attend a church while there.
Joe saw a guy and complimentd his shoes.
The guy then followed him and asked “would you walk and talk with me”.
After a while, Joe was like “what is going on?!” And the guy asked him “are you a Christ follower”
Joe said “Yes ”
and the guy responded “Praise Jesus!!!!”
Then he invited all of us to his church that Sunday. But, with the Covid-19 ramping up in the United States, we didnt know that we wouldn’t be joining.
So its now Sunday 530am, while on the train platform, we get an email saying, we are all leaving, flying back to the USA.
I kinda felt numb in the moment.
I was already sad to leave South Asia, because I had just begun friendships with people where we were staying, & friendships were deepening on my team.
There was nothing I could do, so I did what I knew.
On the platform I began playing my UKE and singing “Here I am to worship” and
“Open the eyes of my heart”
Meanwhile this guy, with a sweet smile on his face, stood and watched me for a while.
Joe pulled out his Google Translate and started talking with the guy.
Joe asked if he had heard of Jesus, then man said yes….But that he wasn’t really sure. And Joe got to share with him, through translate, a lot more. And in the next breath the man wanted us to come to his house. Ha.
That is beyond cool. Normally if you disagree with someone or dont share the same view point, they don’t immediately want to bring you into their home.
I have had so many stories happen like this over seas. Things that dont normally make sence.
Is it because other cultures in the east think and operate differently than I am familliar, making it surprising?
Is it because people are not as individualistic, husstle and rushing around having their head consumed with their own gain?
Is it because people can sence something real and different and their hearts long for it?
Is it because Jesus is Truth, Light, Love, Hope, Joy, Peace, and we can only find boundless and lasting satisfaction in knowing Him?
All of the above.
Back to the sweet man that invited us to his home, well, we didnt go, because we were abruptly on our way out of the country.
The next day, we ate as friends, and while at the place a woman came up to us with some bread in her hand and gave it to us saying that she wouldn’t be able to finish it. Then commented that she knows what we are doing, she believes it’s a good thing, and to not grow weary in doing good.
We were all left wondering, how did she know we Love God? One of my team mates, Tito, went to investigate and get to know the lady.
So he sat with her, come to find out, she has been living in SA for a long time. She is by herself, has a business, and a lot of favor with the community in which she lives.
She again, invited all of us to come check it out, for a visit, and to share there.
Just as we were leaving the place where we all felt called to be, God brought us people that gave us an assurance and hope. It was sad to miss out on so many friendships that were being formed and the new contacts we had just made, but it’s not the end, I know there is more.
There is even something special for today, right where I am, in a cottage in the middle-of-no-where, New York, as I am self quarantining.
There is Something for me and you.
A conversation, a deeper understanding, and definitely something He wants to show us this very day of His deep and rich love, specific to us in this moment and season.
In those 3 interactions we had, it was all specific to what we asked for, what our hearts desired, and even some exciting surprises. And none of it, did we strive to make happen.
All I need to do is sit still, right where I am, surrender to the One who knows me best, who abounds in Love and desires to bring me deeper into that Love.
And all these things will be added to me.
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10
