When you are preparing for the World Race, you have expectations of what ministry will look like. Even if you think you don’t, you do. You think you’ll be teaching English, playing with orphans, evangelizing on the street, or maybe fixing up a house or two. You definitely don’t assume that you’ll be making bracelets and coloring pictures… until you do.
Earlier this week after our daily “Amad” time (an hour each morning that we spend quietly with the Lord), our host Brian told us that we needed to grab a piece of paper and some crayons…. uh okay? He told us to spend some more time with the Lord and ask Him to give us a picture. Once we had the picture he wanted us to draw it on the little cards. We all managed to receive a picture! Hallelujah! I initially thought it was just another activity meant to bring us into deeper intimacy with the Father but after we finished drawing Brian explained that we would be dropped off in a busy shopping district in Kathmandu and we would be asking the Lord to show us who the card was for. I immediately felt my palms start to sweat. I do not do well with strangers, especially if it involves walking up to a stranger who probably doesn’t speak English, but I looked toward the Father and took a deep breath.
My team jumped off the bus. We were given very vague directions on how to get home and we were sent off on our way. Our team walked all around the area asking the Lord to guide each of our steps. One by one my teammates were giving away their cards. The whole time we were walking I was trying to hear the Lord’s direction for my card and I had nothing. When I was one of the last ones still holding my card My teammate Grace encouraged me to listen again. She was sure that the next direction was coming from me… and then I saw it. My heart did a flip in my chest as I saw the sketchiest little alleyway in all of Kathmandu. I took it to the Father and He confirmed. There was my direction.
The alley was lined with seedy, rundown hotels and as we walked I was trying to decipher who was to receive my card. The picture the Lord had given me was oddly specific. There was a woman holding a lantern guiding two people up Calvary Hill. There was just a single cross and the bottom half of it was illuminated by her lantern while the top half was shrouded in darkness. I had no idea what it meant but I was sure it was for a woman. My heart had dreamt that she was a believer who was leading Nepali people to the Lord, but I was wrong. As we were nearing what seemed to be the end of the alley the Lord told me to keep going, lo and behold the alley turned and continued. As we were almost out on the other side something caught my eye.
Set far back into one of the dark hotels was a reception desk and behind it sat a young Nepali woman. It’s honestly only by the Father’s grace that I saw her and I instantly knew the picture was for her. I went in with my teammate, Gabbie, and I showed her the picture but before I could even say a word she just looked at me and said, “No.” The look in her eyes was a mix of confusion and panic. I explained to her that I had been praying this morning and God had shown me this picture and told me it was for her. Then I asked if she would take it. Again she simply said, “No.” I insisted. I knew that this was the woman and still she said, “No.” She then turned away from us and began polishing bottles. I asked her if I could just leave it on the counter for her and go. Predictably she said, “No.” One of my last questions to her (which should have been my first) was, “Do you speak English.” After she had clearly understood everything I had been saying she lied and said, “No.” I wasn’t sure what more I could really do so I put the card on the counter and left.
Once we were outside, Gabbie and I prayed for the woman and the Lord have each of us such peace about it. It was very obvious to Gabbie, and later to me, that this is not the first time that this woman has been confronted by God and it certainly won’t be the last. God gave us the insight that she had been feeling very convicted in that moment and was trying to run from God, but guess what? He is going to find you. He is the same God who leaves the ninety nine for the one and it is no different now. He is whole heartedly pursuing that woman and I got to be a part of it by simply being open to the work He was doing even if it meant moving outside of my expectations. Even if it meant rejection (as He has felt many times). Even if it meant being an utter misfit in his name.
This upcoming week we will be working to rescue women from trafficking as well as caring for street children here in Kathmandu. It is sure to be emotionally taxing and will likely come with many stories of redemption and grace. Stay tuned. Being a misift for the Messiah is a pretty rad job.
