As I’m writing this I’m currently sitting on the train heading my way to Bangkok. We are done with ministry in Chiang Mai, and we will be in Bankgkok till the 30th for our monthly debrief. It’s hard to believe we are about to head into month 3 already. It will take a whole day of travel to get there, and so lots of time to reflect, think, and process as I look out the train window and see Thailand passing by me and just so thankful for what my time in this beautiful country has given me.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about hearing the voice of the Lord and the holy spirit and what that looks like for me as I journey throughout the World Race. This is a great segway into an experience that happened my last night in Chiang Mai, and the beautiful way he blessed my departure from this city.
My squadmate Steph and I decided to head out for dinner together. We ended up at a place neither of us had been to. The food was excellent, but what followed after was far greater. When we walked into the café we saw this guy sitting by himself. We sat down, ordered, and didn’t give him a second glance honestly. We were in conversation and suddenly the guy leaned over and was like “Hey, are you both from the states?” This opened up conversation and allowed God to move in ways I never imagined when I literally just set out to get food. We begin talking with this guy named Joe. He’s from New York City in Thailand for a holiday. We talk about what he does in NYC, his family, and share with him our purpose in Thailand and about the World Race.
He begins sharing how he recently this year lost his Mom in a tragic and sudden way. As he is sharing the circumstances surrounding his Mom’s passing he is getting really emotional and you could see the hurt. Looking back I feel like maybe for the first time he was sharing his pain of this loss in his life and in that moment I was there to listen. When we move on to another topic I hear it, it’s the nudge…. Saying “Ask him.”
In the very next breath I hear myself asking “Joe, I just feel compelled to ask, is there anything we can be praying for you about?”… The Lord was speaking to me so clearly and the only word that kept coming to my mind was PEACE. My new friend Joe, he just needs peace.
He pauses, then responds, “You know, I really just need peace.”
WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON RIGHT NOW??
My hand slaps the table and I yell, “I KNEW IT!!” …. So I was like “Come over, we are praying for peace.” So in the restaurant in the middle of Thailand I pray for Joe and let me tell you…. It was the boldest prayer I’ve ever prayed just asking the Lord to cover Joe’s life in peace and in that moment I had a confidence I have never felt before in my life.
I prayed for peace and purpose to flood Joe’s life. And in my heart of hearts I know and pray that whatever he’s searching for, he will start to find in Jesus. I know that at that time, Joe needed this and I needed it as I’ve been praying for moments like this, being at the right place at the right time with the right people.
GUYSSSSSS….THIS. WAS. NOT. YOUR. AVERAGE. JOE.
It was a divine encounter that could only be orchestrated by the Lord. He’s so sweet to allow paths to cross in such beautiful and tangible ways. That moment and conversation with Joe will be forever etched in my heart. There are more Joe’s out there. GO find your Joe today. Be intentional with the people you encounter each and every single day. You don’t want to miss what God has for you, you especially don’t want to miss out on your Joe. Keep your spiritual eyes open to the world and people around you, one of the biggest things I am learning on the mission field.
My next post will be from Malaysia and I AM SO PUMPED to share and go further in depth in what the month is going to look like… I know God is going to do huge things as I continue to seek his voice… Malaysia, I’m coming for you!
Ahhhh, GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
Much love to you all!!!
