So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. –
1 Corinthians 13:13
This past weekend, we rode in an Anghkat to a traditional Sundanese village where the majority of the people are Muslim. One year ago, an expedition route went to this exact village and were invited to the wedding of A and Ir (real names I cannot put in here). Their presence was so impactful that Ir invited us to stay with her as well!
Upon walking into the house, we were immediately greeted by a cheery, bright-eyed woman named Ir, along with her entire extended family! Displayed on the walls were beautiful Sundanese wedding dresses of all colors: blue, red, yellow, black, and grey! We later found out that Ir and her mother own a bridal shop, and LOVE to dress up in them and take photos (check out my Facebook page). After raving about the exquisite designs, I glanced up on the left side of the wall; there were pictures of Americans! I soon realized that Ir had taken photos of the racers from last year and placed them on her wall with their birthday, favorite color, and favorite food or animal! Shout out to that team and know that the seed you planted a year ago is still growing!!!
As with any household in Indonesia, their hospitality was overwhelming. The Sundanese definitely have the Father’s generosity flowing through their veins! Ir offered us fresh corn, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, fried bananas, and then we sat down to get better aquatinted.
What better way to know someone than to ask about their love stories? At least that was Ir’s way of doing things!
“I will share mine and you share yours. It will make us close,” she explained.
When she said this, I was immediately taken back. Her first real conversation with us didn’t consist of surface level questions, she went straight for the heart. How much more can our heavenly Father’s love be displayed?
“When I was in elementary school, I knew of A but we weren’t really friends. After a number of years I saw him again and he began talking with me. He had very very pretty girlfriends so I KNEW he wouldn’t be interested in me. However, God had different plans. A started to visit me and after three times, he approached my parents and asked to marry me! I cannot credit anyone other than God with this, because I am not that beautiful compared to his other girlfriends. BUT HE LOVES ME! I am so thankful for my husband and he is such a blessing to me everyday!”
I was so encouraged and moved by her love story that I began to cry. This is exactly what God does; He picks the unlikely and the lowly to display His glory! Ir clearly has the Father’s heart and it shines! She literally JUST met us, yet her first inclination was to ask about the matters of the heart. She didn’t really care about where we were from or what America was like; she wanted to know what was REALLY going on. She wanted to know ways she could pray and encourage us, very similar to Paul; the one who has the Fathers heart will have a heart for His people.
When you read the gospels, Jesus didn’t ask people five million questions. He saw their need, loved them, and asked for healing in His Father’s name! He didn’t need convincing that those people were worth his time. The simple fact that they were created in the image of God was enough for him to care! This heart is how Ir loved us; the type of love that can only come from the One who created it.
I would ask that you please pray for her and A as they continue to love people, open up their home, and make beautiful dresses.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Ready for the shocking news: A and Ir are Muslims.
