Not long ago, I walked into our house and saw a stranger sitting in our living room. “Hi,”
I said to the young woman.
Then I turned to Amon, Pastor Isaiah’s wife, who stood nearby. “Do you know who this girl is?” I asked.
“No,” she replied, “but I think my husband might have something to do with it!”
We both laughed. After ten years of doing ministry with Isaiah, I am never surprised to come home and find strangers in our living room. This is the kind of intentional missional community we have come to expect and value.
The twenty-year-old woman was named Zaza. She was Isaiah’s first cousin who had just returned from working in Singapore.
“I don’t want to go back,” she told us firmly. “It was not a good experience. Can I stay here for a few days?”
Of course, we agreed.
A few days turned into a few weeks as Zaza jumped in to help Amon take care of their children. A devout Buddhist, Zaza watched us closely every day as we worshipped Jesus and prayed for anyone who came through our door. Before long, she began to help us with ministry, even praying for the sick. Her thirsty spirit soaked up the love of Jesus like a sponge.
Zaza wanted to help support her family financially, so we invited her to work on the coffee farm. She was shocked by the kindness, honesty and love she received from our pastors and other workers.
Since she had once worked as a medical assistant, Zaza began to use her basic first aid experience to treat wounds. She also prayed for the sick. Word travelled to the surrounding villages and soon people were walking for hours to see her. Pastor Isaiah was very happy to have even more opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with those who came!
Before long, Zaza courageously declared her faith in Jesus Christ. Together with eighteen others from Buddhist background, she was baptized on our coffee farm in front of family and friends.
We give thanks for Zaza and we look forward to seeing who God will send us next!
