"Only Can You Save Me?"

~There are bound to be times where you regret, or at least re-think, a decision that you've made. At times these past few weeks, I've caught myself wondering whether it was a mistake to return here. I miss my family and friends...I miss being able to understand the conversations and street signs surrounding me...teaching is okay, but it's certainly not ideal. What am I doing here? Am I making a difference?

Then, out of nowhere...HE reminds me to have trust in HIM. Sometimes it's through a favorite B*ble passage or encouragement from a friend. And sometimes, he gives me something so great that it moves me to tears, that I feel humbled in gratitude and repentant for my doubt. Sometimes he gives me opportunities like this...

There's a backstory...maybe I'll do the long version in a future blog, but for now, I'll keep it short (for me, at least) :) I took a "black taxi" last week...an unregister chauffeur. The driver and I communicated in as much Chinese as I should muster, and he told me his daughter was great at English. Before I knew it, he handed me his cell phone, and I talked to his daughter, "Sharron," for 20 minutes. We exchanged phone and QQ instant messaging numbers. A few days went by, and then we had our first QQ conversation. I noticed her "status" said "Only Can You Save Me?" which made me a little curious. We were discussing our jobs (we're both teachers), when out of nowhere she rapidly changed the topic...

Me: Which age is your favorite to teach?

Sharron: Are you a pious chr*stian?

Me: Yes, I am! Chr*stianity is very important to me. Why do you ask?

Sharron: What a coincidence ! I was hesitating two hours ago that whether shoud I accept the g*d to be my saver!

Me: Really? That is amazing! Maybe G*d wanted us to meet. Do you mind if I ask, how did you find out about G*d?

Sharron: Actually, I have been hesitating such a long time!! There are piles of chr*stians around me! 

Me: That's amazing! I am happy that you know so many Chr*stians...and I'm sure they're happy to know you too. Can I share a thought with you?

Sharron: My pleasure.

Me: I believe that if a person starts to wonder whether they should accept G*d as their S*vior, maybe they are already Chr*stians.

Me: Maybe they are not ready to declare it to the world, but if a person believes that J-sus is their S*vior, then they will go to heaven.

Me: So, I think you do not need to feel rushed about accepting J-sus...because he has already accepted you! There is a part in the B*ble, where J-sus says to his friends, "You did not choose me, but I chose you."

Me: Maybe G*d already is part of your heart.

Sharron: Whoa!!

Me: Sorry, I hope I'm not being too forward or making you feel uncomfortable...

Me: But, I believe that's what the B*ble teaches...

Sharron: Amazing!

Me: There is a verse in Eph*sians, which says "F@ith comes from hearing the message (of the B*ble)." (Oopsies, I got that reference wrong...)

Me: This means that G*d gives us faith. It's a gift that we do not earn on our own...it's his blessing he's given to us!

Me: Maybe through your Chr*stian friends, through praying, and through reading the B*ble, G*d has already given you faith 

Sharron: Why did he choose me ?

Me: That (earlier) verse is Rom@ns 10:17, in case you are interested! G*d chose you because he loves you. John 3:16-- "For G*d so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever b*lieves in him will not perish, but have et-rnal life."

Me: G*d chose you, not because of anything special you did, but because of his mercy...

Me: Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. This is not from yourself. It is the gift of G*d, not by our own work, so that no one should boast." G*d chose you because G*d is love.

Me: Sorry...I hope this is not too strange or uncomfortable that I am saying all these things... But I want you to know, G*d loves you, and J-sus saved you.

Sharron: Oh My gosh!!  Ok, I will think about every word you told me ! I have to go to our other office now! So, let's chat on Friday or through the SMS ~~~I do appreciate what you said  to me !

Me: Oh, I'm very glad to hear that! I'm just repeating the words our awesome G*d gave to us 

Sharron: Thank you my friend!! See you then~~

~HE is using me...not always in the way I would expect or specifically ask for, but still...giving me chances to share HIS Word with people, to share the ASSURANCE that his gifts come through His mercy, not anything we can do on our own. Thank you, L*RD, for these opportunities!

~One more note, Sharron and I had the uncensored version of this talk...she brought it up, and I wasn't going to use the *,-,@, and other annoying schtuff I have to use here most of the time. I was using my VPN (American Internet), so hopefully it'll be okay. But still...I'd appreciate your pr@yers that I'll be able to stay here the remaining 7 months to serve HIM ;)