The first convert of our church

On Saturday, as usual, we went to the park nearby our house for personal evangelism. After having devotion, four split up into four directions. We often do this to create contacts and share Christ to those spending their weekend there. After almost two hours, I came to Thuan's place to go home with him. I saw him sitting on the bench, expecting me to share with the girl reading beside him. Looking at the watch, I hesitantly sat down and start conversing.

I came to know that Vy, her name, is going to graduate from the Economic University. Hearing to my personal testimony, Vy said she is also experiencing such kind of hardship. I asked how. With a meditating face, she told me about her life story: to her father, mother, and her step-father, she is a child of mistakes; her uncle is the only relative she has and with whom she has been in touch. She has been living alone. Now, she is washing dishes for restaurants for her living expenses and school fee. A courageous and persevering girl! I thought. Then I took a closer look at her; I saw her wearing a stretched and old shirt, a threadbare and worn out pants with an old bag.
Appreciating her courage and determination in overcoming life hardship and difficulties, we invited her home for lunch. During the meal, Thuan shared Christ to her, and then he lent her a Bible. The four of us started praying for Vy, asking God to save her but did not thought He would make it that fast.

On Sunday, we planned to visit her but we failed to do that. Therefore, we made a call to her, intending to set another appointment. Through the phone, we came to know that she was being sick so seriously: headache, dizzy, fainting, and even hard to breath. We prayed for her right that moment and told her that God is every where, if she calls upon His name, he will answer to her prayer.

On Monday, Thuan and I rode to her place. We could not say a word when we saw her rent room. We did not know what to say. She shared a leaking and dilapidated room of around 6 square meters with another girl. It was built temporarily so there are holes on the roof which give them hard time when it rains. She looked fine and smiling when we came. Being asked about health condition, she said she is ok then. We asked her whether she read the Bible we gave. To our amazement, she read from Matthew up to I Corinthians of NT, finished Genesis of OT and half done with Exodus.

We then asked if she prayed yesterday to God. Vy replied: “I don’t know how to pray. I just merely said, ‘Lord, save me through this severe pain.’ And I think He did answer my prayer. Because I have heart disease when I was a child, so every time I get problem with my heart, it would be very serious and it took me long time to recover, not like this time. I know He healed me.”

We then asked her if she found anything similar in Jesus’ life with what she experienced. Surprisingly, she answered us as if she is a long time Christian: “Jesus came, healing the sick and he requires faith. He once said that if we have faith in Him, we can do all things, even removing mountains.” Thuan asked: “Do you now have that faith in Jesus?” “Definitely!” She answered, “Because I experienced that last night.”

Thuan explained further to her about the cross, Jesus’ forgiveness of her sin and the promise of everlasting life, then he invited Vy to receive Christ. When she prayed, she wept over my shoulder: “Jesus, I know You love me. Though I just know You now but I know you have walked with me long time ago already. It is why I could overcome life hardships up to today. Now, as I have You, please be with me and listen to my cry...” We cried together in joy.

We shared a meal with her in her room. I was broken-hearted to what she said to God after her experiencing of God’s healing: “Lord, why did you find me so late? Before I had more difficulties, why did not you come that time to save me?” To us, we know He has His own time and His own way. That’s why we are grateful that He used us. We are grateful, too for this first seed and first ever member of our church. Praise God for what He has done! Please pray for her to stand firm in Christ and grow in Him daily. We are doing our best to be the family to her.