God’s surprise for me tucked inside his sleeve
On our flight from Chicago to Doha Qatar, I had the opportunity to meet a gentleman who had been visiting his daughter in the US for the previous three weeks and was now on his way home to Saudi Arabia. He initiated the conversation and was very engaging, sharing his fatherly love and pride regarding his daughter’s accomplishments studying in Flint, MI. We stood in the galley area at the rear of the plane, giving us both some much needed change in positions on this long flight.
For those of you reading this at this time and place, perhaps not knowing that we have not only lived in MI the first 65 years of our lives, but we also started an international student ministry program at Saginaw Valley State University that has been in existence for over 20 years now and is still ministering to the needs of those students coming to our shores and in that midst many have come to accept Christ and have taken home that new found life with them.
Flint MI is the home of Kettering University and the University of Michigan Flint campus. (George is a grad of Kettering btw). Per a news brief yesterday they have over 700 students creating a mini United Nations of itself on campus. Not only do students receive a first class educational experience there, but they are also able to live there quite reasonably. Many of these students struggle with the high cost of living in the US to go to school here and their families sacrifice greatly to the end. Additionally, the very couple who started an initially ministry in Saginaw over some 20 years ago with us now live in the Flint area and are active and engaged with international students there.
So back to my conversation with this congenial man on the plane in the galley. He spoke with such kindness about his visit to his daughter who was studying at U of M. In the midst of our discussion he asked me (Shary) if I was a Christian. I nodded a response to him to which came back a response “Oh that is so wonderful to hear. My daughter has an American friend who is a Christian and she is so nice. I am really happy that she is such a good friend to my daughter.”
God is so good. Even at how many thousands of feet in the air He shows to us His plan and examples of how our servitude to glorify Him can multiple how many times over.
Yes this gentleman also asked and knew we were on our way to Cambodia. We did speak briefly about our roles here on the ground. He affirmed to me his resounding approval to where we were going and what we were going to do. I think he understood the greatness of our Father or at least was having glimpses of Him cross his path. he got excited when he spoke about it. Please pray that as time goes on this man is shown completely the whole picture so he too can enjoy eternal life with us with Him.
.jpg)
Recent Comments