"I pray these girls will come to know Jesus. They are what's going to change Japan one day."
These are the words that Peter, our contact, said about one of our English classes. This particular class is made up of some of the giggliest 6th grade girls you will ever meet. Getting them to speak English was like pulling teeth at moments. They would stare at us, then whisper in rapid Japanese, and then the inevitable giggles would ring through the room.
Sometimes it was really frustrating to calm down the Gigglers and actually teach them English, but the Lord really revealed to me the importance of every single person He puts in my life. Peter really hit this point home when he gave us a pep talk. He prays for each student in his classes, that they would come to know the Lord through him. He prays they would feel God's love in his life and they would hunger for it in theirs.
I know people back home wonder what it's really like to travel on the World Race. What is it really like to go into countries where you don't know the language, the culture, the people? Honestly, it's hard. It's hard not understanding what's going on or what people are saying all the time. It's hard not knowing if I'm going to inadvertently offend someone. It's hard not seeing or talking to my family and friends as often as I'd like. It's hard feeling like I'm not doing much. I fight against lies from the enemy that question exactly what sort of impact I'm having here overseas. What good does teaching English, smiling at people, making friends with college students, having dance parties, cuddling a child, putting an arm around someone who's hurting…what good do those things really do in the long run? In the whole future of the world, what does it matter that I was kind for five seconds to a person I interacted with on the street?
It matters.
God is a God of big things, of vast, sweeping movements that change the world. But He is also a God of the one. The one elderly woman in Japan who felt encouraged by two women from America praying with her. The one college student in China who felt His love by a group of Americans and still stays in contact with them. The one child with special needs in Cambodia who blossomed in the love that two women showered on her every day for a month. The one missionary in Malaysia who feels constant encouragement and spiritual renewal whenever a Race team comes to his ministry. The one foreman at a work site in Thailand who saw the outpouring of God's love through the hard work of a Race team. And each one of those extremely giggly Japanese girls.
He loves each one of us on planet Earth. He longs for a relationship with each one of us. We are all special, important, unique, loved. The infinite, almighty God of the universe cares about individuals. He loves YOU. And He loves for you to show that love to the ones in your life. So who will your one be today?
