The morning after I met Hannah and Lois, I was doing my thing, just spending time with God. But this time I intentionally in faith asked God to use me. Ladies and Gentlemen, I suggest strapping in your seat belts when you do that.
At the same time, Ronny told me that he hoped to share the gospel with all the people we got to know during our time in the city. We had a number of gospel tracks and church invites that Hannah gave us a couple days before. It was as if God himself gave those to us as his little mission for us.
Breakfast
Ronny and I fell in love with this little street vendor breakfast place. It was run by this sweet old couple that spoke no English at all. After we finished our authentic Khmer meal of white Rice and succulent strips of grilled meat, Ronny left the couple a gospel track and we went to the nearby smoothie stand.
The cart was called “Davy’s Shake Shack.” The owner’s name isn’t Davy, but Thy (pronounced Tea). Why that place was named “Davy’s” Shake Shack I don’t know.
After some small talk, Ronny said, “Did we ever tell you about why we are in Phnom Penh?”
“No, why are you guys here?”
“We’re Christian Missionaries, and we’re here to tell people about Jesus and serve.”
“No way! I’m a Christian too. I’ve been one for 11 years. My friend started bringing me to church every week and I grew to believe in Jesus.” He said excitedly.
Ronny and I wanted to pray for him, so we asked him if we could pray for him and he gladly accepted. You know, I think something special happens when believers gather to fight for one another like this in prayer.
That morning I think God sent us to Thy to encourage and bless him. Why? Thy expressed with faith that his wife would soon be a believer. As Ronny and I prayed for him, I sensed too that her salvation was coming soon.
Starbucks
So Ronny and pranced once again to the air-conditioned oasis of the 1st world, Starbucks. A couple days before, we made friends with our barista named Both (pronounced Bote). He’s 22 and about to graduate university, and it was obvious that he loved his job and talking with customers.
Remember how Ronny was so set on sharing the gospel with everyone that day? Well, in perfect timing, Both just begab his hour-long break as we walked in the lobby. He told us that he really wanted to hang out with us since we had built a relationship with him. The minute Both told us he was on his break we knew this was the green light.
Ronny, Both, and I take a seat on the balcony and just start hanging out. We talked about our families and stuff, and Ronny and I explained that we were on the World Race and were here to tell people about Jesus and serve. Both explained that his named literally meant “child of the king.” Ronny took ahold of that and explained that was his real identity as a son of God, changing the course of the conversation.
As we talked, I asked him if he knew anything about Jesus, and he replied he didn’t know a whole lot. Then, I asked if I could share his story, and he was like “Yea, sure!
Man, did I feel alive as I told him about my savior and friend, Jesus. Since we had so much time and so much was coming to mind, I thought I might as well give him plenty of details on why Jesus came, what Jesus did, who he hung out with, what the cross meant, and how to accept it.
Just as God moved through Hannah’s evangelism the day before, I was able to share a lot of great stuff as I believe God was putting it in my mind.
Both responded that his family was Buddhist and it wasn’t good to turn away and become Christian. He also told us that he knew a couple of other Christians who work with him and they had shared a little with him too.
He didn’t seem offended, though, and I was glad to hear there were other Christians in his life. As his break was ending, Ronny and I prayed for him and asked God to bless him. And hey, we’re still friends! Just because we did our Jesus thing didn’t break the relationship.
After Both returned to work, we went downstairs to a nice comfy enclave. Ronny mentioned that God used us to play a part in God’s pursuit of Both. I believe in faith that someday his heart will open up to the good news.
However, we were only halfway done.
About an hour later, we end up spending time with Lois and her friend, Bobo. Lois was taking Bobo, a relatively new believer, out to coffee to disciple her and teach her the bible.
During that time, Lois encouraged me to share with Bobo some bible verses and teach her a bit. I shared with her some of my favorite psalms and verses, and explained what they meant for me and her. I felt just as alive as I did when I shared the gospel, because I found that I as I shared the word I was sharing real love.
Then Lois pointed to some college-age looking guys, and said, “Hey we should share the gospel with them. Your English is best so you start.”
Haha. This time was easier, even though there still a little fear. So we come up and introduce ourselves and ask them how much they knew about Jesus. One said he heard of Jesus while the others haven’t. So once again, we shared the gospel and they really seemed to understand.
This time I even added some of Jesus’s teachings in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, because I knew that they were more relatable to Buddhist teachings.
I remember saying, “Jesus taught people to turn the other cheek if someone slaps you.” They got a kick out of that.
“He taught people to give to the thieves that steal from them, to do good when good is not done to you.” I also told them that Jesus hung out with sinners and stuff like that. Man, did I realize then how proud I was of my God, the God who stoops to meet with broken folk and carry them home.
Anyway, we handed them gospel tracks and invites to the local church so they could learn more. It was so cool to “throw seed,” if you will. We may never know the fruit of our obedience.
The flamin’ moment of the week.
The four of us sat back down at our table and continued to hang. Lois said that her and Bobo were headed out, so she suggested that we all pray together. Ronny volunteered and prayed for us. We didn’t realize someone was watching us…
A couple minutes later, this Cambodian businessman in his late 20’s came up to us.
“Excuse me, what were you guys doing just then? Were you guys praying?” He asks with excited curiosity.
“Yes,” we responded. “We’re praying to Jesus.”
“I’ve seen Christians pray in churches, but you guys are praying here?”
“We believe Jesus is always with us, so we can pray to him anywhere” I responded. I was trying to keep calm because I knew something was happening inside of him.
“Wow, that’s really cool! I want to know more. Could I have your guys’ email addresses? I would love to ask questions but I have to get back to the office. Also, is there a verse app I could check out? If I can get that I could just read from there.”
I could hardly believe what was coming out of this guy’s mouth. Oh boy he was stirring. Ronny and I gave him our emails and gave him a gospel track and church invite and bid him farewell. I could hardly contain myself.
What the heck! What! So we just prayed together? And then ka-boom?
I knew then and there it wasn’t just praying he saw, but Jesus. He was drawn to it (God) and he wanted we had. He knew we were different.
This rang true with a verse that I read this week, John 13:35: “The world will know we are his disciples by the love we have for each other.” And when we prayed, we prayed because of love. And God dwells with us as we love one another, as 1 John says.
Love is why we share the gospel.
Love is why we pray.
Love is why we follow God’s calling.
Love is why we joyfully endure struggles and rejection.
Love is why this isn’t obligation.
Love. The world wants it — it needs it. I pray this story stirred you to greater faith and love as it did for me. Go and love, there’s nothing to lose!
Thanks for reading!
Brandon
