Jesusluvsall's Blog

Sometimes we are blessed and it comes from seemingly out of nowhere in a way we would never expect. That happened for me last night.

Last week I saw the mother of a young woman from Vietnam that was once part of a group of young people I mentored and helped with English to prepare them for university. Her daughter is now a successful architect. I met the mother when they were new to America and she was in a class I taught.

In April 2009 after my father died, I prayed about what to do with my extra free time since I would no longer be spending time with my father. As I prayed, the mother came to my mind. I stopped by their apartment one night and met the family. Even though I do not see them much anymore, they are special to me as are the memories.

So last week when I saw the mother, she told me she had a Christmas gift for me and would bring it to me last night. I was expecting something like a picture or gift card. She gave me an envelope and we hugged out of friendship. I did not open the envelope until I got to my car. When I opened it, I found $200.

As a tentmaking missionary, I can’t tell you what that means to me emotionally let alone financially. I get the term tentmaking from Paul in the bible. He made tents in places he went to start churches to support himself. I teach part-time and am supported part-time. It is not a get rich quick thing at all. But the intrinsic rewards are off the charts.

So in a week that I knew I need to get 2 new tires because of slow leaks, I was given the money to pay for them. Slow leaks are a bigger deal in the cold of winter. I have been putting air in them each night. Now I can go get the tires and not worry about going out to see a flat tire. With my autoimmune problems changing a tire is more challenging than it was ten years ago.

To know I have not been forgotten is a huge blessing. To be blessed with the money is also a huge blessing because I can get new tires. To absorb and process this spiritually, emotionally, and mentally is a bit overwhelming in a very good way.

I never expected for my friends from Vietnam to bless. They blessed me last summer and it happened again last night. When I first met them, they needed my help and one would never have imagined they would turn around and bless me.

I am thankful and feeling blessed. Thank you for reading. God Bless.