THIS MONTH. WOW.
ATL has been a whirlwind of travel, making new friends, and forming beautiful travel companions. I’ve experienced some of my favourite moments of the race so far while here, but last night was something extra special.
To really get across the gravity of it, I need to go all the way back to a coffee shop in the Philippines.
The Philippines is a country filled with Filipinos, and by that I mean there’s very few expats who live there. With that being said, if you’re visibly of a different race but are residing in the county, best bet is that you’re a Christian and you’re there with a purpose. This hypothesis proved true when at a coffee shop on my sabbath. As I was talking to my brother on the phone a tall Nigerian man walked up to me – “Are you a missionary?” A little taken aback by being called a missionary and also a little confused by still being on the phone with my brother, I replied “Yeah, I guess so!” “So am I! I’m a pastor here!”
We (he) continued to talk for the next 15 minutes, showing me a book he’s written and telling me all about the ministries he’s a part of. In my earphone I could hear my brother quietly giggling and making jokes about the hilarious conversation that was taking place. Eventually I politely excused myself explaining I was still on the phone. I quickly ran down the stairs to explain to Stella the funny situation that just played out, when our kind Nigerian friend approached us once again. This time I introduced him to Stella and immediately peaced out to go back upstairs.
What came from their TWO HOUR conversation was a connection made in Kuala Lumpur. Apparently, the pastor had been doing ministry with a girl named Angel there. She was Muslim, Persian, and at the age of 9 Jesus appeared to her. Even at such a tender age, she immediately understood who Jesus was and chose to spend her life following Him.
Fast forward to two months later in Malaysia, where our team was able to meet up with Angel and join her for ministry where she – a fourteen year old girl – pastors a church with elders of all ages and ethnicities.
Eighteen met in her family’s apartment, and Papa was so so present. We worshiped together and prayed before my teammate Ryan shared. After that we went right back into more prayer and worship.
At one point I was praying on my knees for God to show up in a way that would blow our minds. Specifically, I was praying for gold dust. Gold dust is this crazy thing that sometimes appears on your skin or clothes when Jesus is real real present. Basically, it makes you sparkle! I’ve seen it before, but not on myself, and so I thought “why not ask for it?”
Within 30 seconds I hear my squadmate Theo saying “hey! This kid has gold dust on his hands and face!” I looked over and sure enough 10 year old David was standing there with gold dust on his cheeks. It was beautiful.
The next thing that happened is Angel pointed at one of the women in the room and mouthed to me to go pray for her. I hadn’t seen her all evening except for at the very beginning when she went into the kitchen. I asked her her name and if it was okay if I prayed for her. She nodded yes, told me her name was Flower, and closed her eyes. As I prayed Flower stood there, listening and taking in the words I said. She lifted her head to look at me, and when she opened her eyes tears started to pour out. She asked me to pray for her husband who was in prison and then for peace for herself.
Angel came over and asked Flower if she wanted to turn away from her old life and start following Jesus, like they had talked about before. Flower said yes.
The two of us went into Angel’s room and sat on the bed. Flower began to tell me about her past life – a life of hardship and pain. A life where she was forced to give too much of herself to try to save herself and her family. She shared with me how stressed she was and how much shame she experienced. She told me that her family doesn’t love her. But then she told me that she wants a new life with Jesus. That she wants to leave her shame behind her and step into something newer, better, truer.
And it happened.
In a simple repeat after me prayer, Flower asked Jesus to be the King of her life. To be her father and provider. To be her peace and joy. To be the one who helps her to choose the right thing even when it’s hard. To be the one she goes to and talks with in the bad times and the good.
And all of a sudden, Flower was blooming.
Her eyes, still wet with tears, were shining.
Her face was beaming with the biggest smile.
And she told me “Farrah, I don’t feel stressed anymore. I don’t feel worried anymore! But how do I pray?”
I got to tell her that praying is just talking to God. Just like she shared her heart with me, she gets to talk to God just the same.
She told me she was excited to start and to never stop. She told me that she was excited to go to Him not just when things were bad and she needed help, but in the good times too.
I told her that’s exactly what He wants too.
After that we went out into the main room where everybody excitedly hugged our teary-eyed Flower and eventually broke into a dance party of laughter and smiles. It was a sweet little glimpse of the celebrations happening in Heaven.
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My squad and I are currently in then Kuala Lumpur airport on our way to LESOTHO, AFRICA! We’ll be spending our next month in the mountains there doing ministry. That also means we’ll be without wifi, so no news is good news!
Be praying for our squad as we take on this new country and be praying for the country of Lesotho! Would they know how dearly loved they are by our Father.
