Stories from all over our city & beyond

I was reading at Starbucks, and someone stopped by my table to ask what I was reading. I shared the title (Saturate by Jeff Vanderstelt) and said that it was about living in community and letting the word of God shape our lives, and the lady said “Oh, that’s not something I’d ever read.”

Not missing a beat, I asked what sort of things she reads, and we talked about her interests for a while before she circled back and said that she was surprised by my non-reaction to her anti-religeous comment/stance. Her experience has been people trying to proselytize her away from Atheism and not being able to see each other as people first. I think we each surprised one another in the non-stereotypical responses between Christian and Atheist.

So, I’ve been wanting to have surprisingly easy to start conversations about Jesus at my new job, and God provided an opportunity.

At my workplace, there is a cafe, which almost everyone goes to for lunch. I have tried to get to know the people who serve us and say hi to them every day even if I don’t order anything. On Monday, I got in line to get lunch, and when I got to the front, I asked [one of the servers] how he was doing. He said he was having a bad day, so I asked what was going on.

[He] said that his father was in surgery at that moment, and that he didn’t think he was going to make it. An organ had exploded, and his heart had stopped twice. And the doctors weren’t sure what could be done. I listened as [he] poured out his heart and his anxiety and his pain. He opened up about the trauma he had received and his strained/estranged relationship with his father.  

I asked [him] if he would mind if I prayed for him. He said he would appreciate prayer and that he tried to pray himself (I think he is from a Catholic background). We walked over to the side of the counter, and I put my hand on his shoulder and prayed for him, for his dad, and the doctors. When we finished praying, [his] boss walked up to us. [He] said that I had gotten him emotional, but that he needed to leave work early to see his dad in the hospital. 

After getting my food, [the server’s] boss asked if I would send him an email to let him know what happened. I explained what had happened – his dad is dying; I listened and asked if he wanted prayer; he said yes; and I prayed for him. [The man’s boss] was a bit stunned, but when I asked if he would still like me to email him, he said it wasn’t necessary.

[The server’s] dad lived on Monday and last I heard was going to make it (albeit with a long recovery time). But, I was really surprised by the reactions I got later….

At the end of the day, I had actually forgotten about lunch. It had been a crazy busy day, and I was leaving work a bit frustrated.  As I left in the elevator, a woman (who is a Christian) said she really appreciated what I had done for [the server].  She was also aware of [his] situation and had given her phone number to him if he needed anything. But she encouraged me for making a difference and that she was glad I had prayed for him.

The next day, I had a message on Teams from [the server’s] mom, whom I’ve met because she also works at the same company in a different department. She thanked me for praying for her son.

And, when I went down for lunch later, I saw [the server].  I asked how his dad was doing, and how he was doing.  That’s where I got the status update. 

[The boss] was at the cash register, and he said my lunch was comp’d and thanks for helping [his employee].  I protested a bit – saying, it was just the right thing to do. Still, free lunch wasn’t bad.

Later in the day, my boss came up to my office and said that I was the subject at lunch. That the people who work in the cafe were amazed that I had prayed for [the server], and that it meant a lot to them. That in a hospitality culture, there is a focus on serving guests but not showing employee’s problems or praying in public. [The server’s] boss had apparently wanted to do something for him, but didn’t know what to do. Everyone seemed really appreciative that I had prayed for him. My boss, also a Christian, said I did a good job.

I just wanted to share this story because in the midst of our conversations in a hostile culture series, it hit me that yes, there are times and places where sharing Jesus leads to suffering. Walking with Jesus is HARD. But, there are also times and places where the world yearns for and appreciates when Christians step out to care and love on others. And sometimes our conversations might affect more than just the folks with whom we converse.

The Septic Tank Cleaning Man backed up his huge tanker truck to suck out the stuff from the underground tanks at our lake house. I was so grateful for his coming. It was overdue.

During a lull, I took him some iced peach tea and began chatting with him. At the mention of being thankful to God, he confessed  that he had not been to church in years because of hypocrites there. I got to talk to him about his relationship “on hold” with Christ, the Holy Spirit within us, how to start reading his Bible, how to use a devotional book daily. We read together from “Jesus Calling” on the current date. His face lit up and he recalled having that joyful peaceful feeling when a boy in church.

He really wanted to try going back to church so I called a friend who lives in his area for a suggestion. I texted him the church’s name and info. It was an honor and a privilege to get to encourage and do basic discipling with my very own Septic Tank Man, my brother in Christ.

I went hiking in MT with [another Northwest member]. On our last day/hike we ran into a woman who clearly wanted to chat. As we were talking with her, she mentioned her pastor so we started talking about church. She shared about several difficult things she was dealing with in her family and it was apparent that she needed some encouragement. We asked if we could pray for her and did so before we left. It was such a sweet divine appointment! We exchanged contact information and I am hoping to get her connected to some family friends in her area who can continue to encourage her. [My friend] and I met many people on our trip – Neil had conversations Coast to Coast – I’m contemplating starting Conversations Peak to Peak! 😉

God kicked the door wide open for a conversation about Him on Tuesday morning! 

I work 2 days a week as a home health OT, I started back in January. So I have been seeing this family about two days a week since January. The first family on my caseload, sweet family, parents grew up in Vietnam. Dad speaks English and mom only speaks Vietnamese. So I always talk to the dad to coordinate all therapy with his son. Never talked about much of anything else except his son’s medical and education care.

I work with their 5 yo son, we’ll call T, who is smart and has made tons of progress this year. He is obsessed with the solar system. Our ritual is to go over each of the planets throughout each treatment session. 

On Tuesday I mentioned a book that I have that has tons of pictures from the Hubble telescope, and it reminded me of T. The dad, we’ll call Mr. N, told me about NASA’s newest telescope just this week, the James Webb telescope taking pictures of galaxies supposed to be from “4.6 billion years ago” according to NASA. 

I honestly didn’t have much of a reaction to this, but before I knew it, Mr. N was telling me how he wasn’t sure what he believed. About his childhood and his parents being Catholic and going to mass twice a day, but were they Catholic just because the French colonists told them to be? And how the whole village was judgemental but at least they felt strongly about something, and he was looking into Buddhism but maybe he would have a “coming to Jesus” moment in his life someday. 

I didn’t say much throughout this conversation, I threw in some of my own similar experiences growing up as I worked with T and listened. 

When he paused, I said a quick prayer , “O Lord, help me, give me what you want me to say.” In my head.  

Then I asked him if he ever tried reading the Bible. 

He responded with, well, yeah, they taught it in school but it was written so long ago and probably made up. 

Then I asked if he wanted to know what I believed. 

When I got his go ahead. I told Mr. N that I believe there is a Creator God and that we are His creation. And that he, Mr. N, is a man created in God’s image and God loves him. And that we can trust the Bible and God uses it to speak to us. 

I asked Mr N if he would be willing to try something. When he said yes, I told him that when he had a quiet time alone. That he take a Bible and turn to the Gospel of John. That he say a prayer to God, asking God to show him the truth and then start reading. And Mr N said he would. I believe he will. 

Pray with me, that he will do it and God will open the eyes of his heart. 

2 things surprised me about this interaction. 

1. I did not initiate it. I had no intention of having a Jesus conversation that morning with Mr N, I was just there to provide OT for his son.  

2. It was “surprisingly easy”! The reason it was easy, I believe, is because the Holy Spirit moved Mr. N’s heart. Not because I am so smart or anything. I have been skeptical about this whole church statement, because I was like, “I gotta figure out a way to work Jesus into the conversations some how?” But that’s not it! Literally, just “be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in your heart.” 

I called my husband, Zach, when I left their house and we prayed for the N family. For Mr N and his wife and their two sons (5 yo and a 3 yo). I have a feeling this will not only change Mr. N’s life but his wife and children too and generations to come. Jesus move in his heart! 

This is working, keep praying, church!

I had a great conversation with an Uber driver. Was able to pray with her at the end of the ride.

My wife and I are in our 9th year of being chaperones to 35-40 Fifth graders from HP area to DC/Philly/Boston to see the memorials, museums, and battlefields. 

I was asked by one of our students during a walk through Jamestown “A lot of our leaders back then seem to mention God a lot in speeches and writings. Are you a Christian Mr. Thompson?” this sweet 11 yr old young lady asked. 

“Absolutely! Let me tell you why and let me share with you why back then and to your life today why that is important.”

We had a great conversation Q&A about this. I learned of some brokenness in her family. Sharing the gospel and helping to apply it to her life right then seem to really connect with her. 

Not just her but I get as much out of it by reminding that applies in my life as well.

Engaged coworker in town from New York. She grew up in Romania, part of Baptist church. Hard to tell what she believes beyond generic “faith”, which she preferred to religion. Was able to articulate the Gospel clearly. But she didn’t take the bait. Then coworker grabbed her for dinner. Maybe it’s a start of future convos.

Our condo building’s security guard advised that her last day is this coming Friday. New job is at Dallas 911 as dispatcher. She was apprehensive and not confident in her skills. I reminded her that she had a calm demeanor and is level headed. Asked if I could pray for her. Welcoming my offer, she told me she had not even prayed regarding her new job.

I prayed with [her] and believe God was able to use those few moments to remind [her] that she can always count on Him to be with her in her new role. My hope is that she finds confidence in Him as she serves our city.