One thing that I always wondered while on my original World Race was: “am I really making a difference?”
Being in countries for such a short amount of time. Meeting tons of people. Sometimes getting to build deep relationships but most of the time not. It was a question that most racers find themselves asking at least once throughout their time on the field.
How could this really be making an impact for the Kingdom?
It’s been 3 years since I launched on my Race. That means it’s been 3 years since the last time I was in Nepal.
Throughout these 3 years I’ve learned what it is to actually live my life for Jesus and not just talk about Him. I’ve learned what it is to be interruptible because Jesus was. I’ve learned that going for a cup of introvert time with a side of coffee can actually change the world.
I’ve learned that intentionality when walking with Jesus changes places that we go to. Not because of anything that we do but because strangers get a glimpse of the kindness and love and joy of God.
And that leaves an impact.
I’m here in an area of Nepal that is full of people from all over the world. It’s not like my skin and hair stick out here like it did in Northeast India where some people have never seen a “white face” before. I’m in the area where I came on my Race. I’m in a place that had a lot of damage from the earthquake which means they have seen person after person after person come in to help with aid and relief over the last few years.
People that look like me.
Enter Vipin— picture up top because my phone won’t let me insert it here
I was having coffee with one of my squad leaders yesterday and asked if she would walk with me to a bookstore that I knew. It was a place where I shared the Gospel and prayed for the owner after my team and I sat in prayer asking the Lord where He wanted us to go 3 years ago.
I didn’t expect the store to still be there because I went to the grocery store the other day and it had been torn down with a new building in its place.
Good thing the bookstore is still there. I walked in and sitting right there was this man that I so easily recognized. Before I could finish the sentence, “I’ve met you before” he simply said, “yes, I remember. You bought a journal and you prayed for me and my family.”
Completely taken aback I just smiled and asked him how he was doing. He told me all about how he and his family have been doing well. That he’s opened a new place that is an art gallery/coffee shop. A place where people can come learn to do art and music or where they can just spend time with each other. He told me, “we are surviving because of your prayers.” I told him that it has everything to do with Jesus.
I bought another journal and postcards and asked if he could take me to the gallery. On the way he told me all about his family and how his wife is expecting a baby within the next month. We talked about having an open mic night at his gallery and that I would tell all my friends about his place. I told Vipin I would see him again since I am staying in this area for a few weeks.
Now, I’m not doing ministry with the team today because they are taking a nice little hike to worship on a mountain and ya girl still has a hurt knee. That means I came to a coffee shop for breakfast, time with Jesus and time to plan debrief.
I sat down and the man brought me the menu, I recognized him and he kept looking at me kind of strange but I didn’t think anything of it because this is a cafe where so many tourist come. He came back to take my order and said “this isn’t your first time here, is it?”
Y’all.
It’s been 3 years.
I came to this coffee shop twice out of my whole month in Nepal.
While I was still kind and asked how he was, they weren’t intentional times that I was looking to share the Gospel and pray for someone. Once I had my headphones in the whole time and the other I was here with my friend Bri having brownies and ice cream to celebrate the ending of month 2 and all that Jesus did in Nepal.
This man remembered me. Because there “is just something about you”.
Jesus.
Jesus is what’s about me.
His kindness. His intentionality. His spirit.
It draws people in and they can’t seem to forget it.
So, this time me and Depenture have talked about Jesus and how I’m here visiting my team that’s sharing the Gospel with people. I told him I will be here for a few weeks. We’ve talked about how I don’t like papaya because we don’t really have it in America and he told me that next time he’ll remember to leave it out of my fruit cup.
Intentionality changes the world.
My world.
My specific prayer request for Vipin is that he would come to know the one, true God. That we would be able to continue building relationship with him and have a worship night in his art gallery.
For Depenture I’m asking that doors would continue to be opened to share with him about Jesus. Why we are here. How love has changed my life and can change his too. That I continue to crave French toast so that I can come get the best in town and strike up conversation with him.
The extra fun thing? The coffee shop and bookstore are just a few feet from each other! This time, I don’t have my headphones in and Depenture has stopped by my table quite a few times to chat. After this I’m going to go visit Vipin who offered to mail my postcards for him.
life is cool.
The Lord is taking me on a journey of deep faith and I’m not surprised at all that He is building it by letting me see some of the fruit of it. With that, I’m believing for enough monthly supporters to be fully funded each month which means I would be fully funded for the year. I am only about $250 short each month, if you feel the Lord asking you to partner with Him and Adventures in Missions feel free to message me or hit that donate button up top!! Any amount makes a huge difference!!!
