Its amazing the way God will use you, if you only let Him.
I was sitting on the bus returning to Kathmandu after an amazing weekend in Nagarkot. The next day we would be leaving Nepal and heading to our next country. I did what I always did, put in my headphones and chose a seat on the bus by myself. Chit chat on a bus is not my thing, but of course God had different plans. After just a couple stops, a lady got on and sat right next to me… out of all the places to sit, she sat by me. Right away I felt the pull to talk to her, however, being stuck in my ways, I refused. I thought if I still have time after this podcast that I was listening to, then I’ll talk to her. The podcast soon came to an end, and we still had plenty of time before we arrived at our destination.
Being stubborn I said, “Ok God, if you want me to talk to her then let her start the conversation.” Immediately, I knew I was just looking for a way out and that I needed to be bold and just start talking to her. I looked over and saw that she was looking at a map of Kathmandu, so I asked if this was her first time in Nepal. We started talking, and she told me that she was from San Fransisco and was also taking some time out to travel. We talked about places we had been and places we were going. To my surprise, it was an absolute joy to talk to her and hear her stories. She was also returning from Nagarkot and flying out the next day. I said a silent prayer that God would give me an opportunity to share the gospel with her.
Shortly after my prayer, the door opened. She said that the night before a man had told her she had sad eyes. She went on to tell me that she doesn’t know why she was sad and that she had no reason to be sad, but that something deep inside her was. I was then able to share my testimony with her and tell her about what God did in my life. I told her how we are created to serve God and when we aren’t doing what we were created to do, we feel empty inside or like something is missing and that the only thing that would ever fill that whole in our heart was to do that which we were created to do. I shared the gospel with her and told her that Jesus loved her enough to go to the cross for her. She kept saying that she was envious of what I had — that I had such a strong faith and something to believe in. I told her there was nothing to be envious of and that she could have what I have, all she has to do is ask. As I shared with her, I saw tears start to well up in her eyes, and I knew that the Holy Spirit was moving in her life. She wasn’t ready to receive Christ that day, but the seed is planted and I believe that a harvest will come.
Before we got off the bus, I challenged her to seek God that night, to cry out to Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to her. I told her that if she did this that God would show up. I asked if I could pray for her and with a joyful smile she said, “Of course.” After the prayer, I once again saw tears in her eyes. She gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and said thank you. Once we got off the bus I was able to walk her to her hostel and say goodbye.
It’s amazing the way God will use you, if you only let Him. To think, I almost missed out on an opportunity to share the gospel with someone who was so ready and willing to hear it. Kunja, if you are reading this, I am still praying for you and am so blessed to have met you! That day on the bus was probably the best day I had in Nepal. Thank you for choosing to sit by me and letting me speak into your life. I hope you will continue to seek God and look to Him to fill the emptiness you feel inside.
