I’ve heard lots of cool stories about Divine Appointments, especially throughout college, but I never thought I was “qualified” or cut out for something like that. Like it’s for the super Christians who have a huge passion for sharing the gospel with unbelievers or who are really good at going up to people on street corners and asking them to pray for them. If nothing else, I figured I would be too scared to ever do something God called me to do in a specific moment.
Well, let me tell you about the time God brought me way way out of my comfort zone.
Much of our ministry here in Palacagüina with 516 NOW has been working at a local Christian school, and if you’ve seen any of me social media posts, you know that I’ve absolutely adored working there (more on this in another blog). I’ve worked with the same class of kindergarteners 3 or 4 days each week and it’s been so fun: I love those kids and their teacher with all my heart. About a week ago, in my second week working there, I felt the Lord really putting my teacher on my heart, like I needed to pray for her. So every time this would happen I would pray for her, but I felt that God was telling me I needed to pray for her in person. I didn’t know how exactly that would work, considering she speaks about as much English as I do Spanish (hint: not much, but more than none), but still I told God I would even though it’d be a little weird. This was all on a Thursday night, so I figured I’d do it on Friday after all the kids left. But unfortunately she had to do something and had to leave early so I didn’t get the chance to. At the time, we also thought it was our last day there so I thought I wouldn’t actually get the chance again to pray for her. I was really bummed but if I’m being honest a little relieved because I got out of doing something uncomfortable for me…
Well, that night we went into town to watch a friend’s volleyball game. We were sitting in the concrete stands and during the second game, someone walks up and sits right in front of us and it’s none other than the teacher I’ve been working with. She said hi to us and all that, and all 6 of my teammates that were with me turned to me and were asking me “Bailey, that’s your teacher right?” and saying that this was my perfect opportunity to pray for her. I knew I needed to, because our God is not a God of coincidence but of perfect timing…and Divine Appointments. Admittedly while we were there, I put it off for way longer than I should have with the excuse of needing to wait for our friend so she can interpret for me. I thought it might not happen because we needed to leave before it was too late and our friend hadn’t come back to us, but right before we left she did and was like “wait, you need to pray for her!” So she brought her over and I prayed pretty quickly about nothing super specific, but it happened.
Afterwards, I knew I had done what God had asked, but I wasn’t really sure why he had me do that. I thought it was because maybe she had something hard in her life that she needed prayer for, but when I asked her, she didn’t say anything specific. I still don’t know, but maybe she just needed to be reminded that the God of the universe sees her and cares enough to have a random girl from the U.S. pray for her. Or maybe it was just because God needed to give me a bit of a kick in the pants to grow in my faith.
But what I do know is that obedience to whatever we’re called to do should always be our priority. That’s a really easy thing to say, but so much more difficult to actually do. But the Lord is patiently taking me on baby steps as I grow in this area – who knows what’s going to happen next! I’m only halfway done with my trip, and I still have a lifetime of serving the Lord after that.
Soli Deo Gloria
Bailey
P.S. Here’s a picture of me and my teacher. Isn’t she gorgeous?? Ok that’s all.
