Last month in Malaysia, I was given a sweet reminder of the simple but powerful opportunities that I have to make a difference in every life that I encounter on the World Race and in all of life! I was sitting in a little Muslim cafe making my usual check-ins on email, my blog, and Facebook. I noticed a notification in the ‘Others’ section of my Facebook messages and, curious, opened it up to find this sweet and encouraging message from a member of the church that we attended for several weeks in Bangalore, India –
Hi.. You may not know me but I’m from Living Hope Community Church in Bangalore. I just wanted to say a big thank you for keeping my grandma company during her stay at Lali’s place. Long story short – as a family, it hasn’t been easy taking care of her given her age. Something about her stay at Lali’s place changed her and she was so positive when we brought her back home. And, I think you did play a role in reviving her jovial self. She seemed so proud to have befriended an American. Thanks again and may God continue to bless you and your team during this journey.
During our time in India, my team and I lived with our host family – Albert and Lali – who ran the Christian rehabilitation center that we worked with during Month 5 of my Race. This amazing couple also provided care for elderly men and women whose families are not able to care for them all the time. One woman stayed with us for several days during our last week in Bangalore and though she didn’t speak a word of English, we became friends one night when I refilled her water glass after Lali had already gone to bed. Over the next few days, we had several short but happy conversations with the translation help of Lali and frequently shared our snacks with one another in the afternoons as I journaled and read my Bible in the living room.
It was one of those relationships that seem almost miscellaneous against the backdrop of ministry with the men at the rehabilitation center and church services and spiritual conversations with families we befriended…but it turned out to be one of those most impactful relationships that I’ve had on the Race! I read over this message every once in awhile when I need to remember why I continue to say yes to relationships that sometimes seem like just another hard goodbye, because I have found that when we say yes to whatever the Lord asks of us, He moves powerfully!
“In this world we are like Jesus.”
(1 John 4:17)
“And if one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute. In fact, it is worth spending my life for.”
(Katie Davis)
With love and wanderlust,
Cassady
