Finding Hidden Treasures

Last weekend, Dad and I went to support my mom in the Houston Marathon. After seeing Mom at the start, we headed to the 10k mark, or about 6 miles in. While we waited for Mom, we grabbed a warm breakfast at an Einstein Bros and watched the race away from the cold. When it was time to go, I opted for a quick restroom trip before joining Dad outside. The single restroom was taken, and there was already someone waiting.

Just my luck. 

To put it delicately, the restroom remained occupied, and a line quickly formed. I began to get a little antsy, knowing Mom was probably getting closer. Some conversation would surely ease my restlessness. 

I made small talk with the woman in front of me about the race, and found out she is also there to support a runner (and who is also wondering what’s taking so long). I asked the woman behind me the same question. Confused, she replied, “sorry, no English.” 

(SWEET!)

She explained that she spoke Turkish(!!!), and was very startled when I practically jumped into her arms! I frantically tried to gesture that I had been to Turkey, but some rusty Turkish phrases got the point across. She was soon just as excited as I was! As best as I could, I asked her where in Turkey she was from. I’m completely shocked. 

This sweet lady tells me she is from Eskisehir, the small, non-touristy university town in the middle of Turkey that few foreigners have even heard of: the same city my team lived in for a whole month. 

WHAT?!?! 

Let me explain why that’s such a big deal. 

Here I am, in Houston, Texas, face to face with someone from my favorite country I visited on the race, from the one city I lived in, who had traveled halfway around the world and “just happened” to be in this exact coffee shop on the same day, and we both just happened to get in the line for the restroom at this exact time.

Are you kidding, God?!?!

My sweet Turkish friend introduced me to her (English-speaking) son who she is here to visit. With her son translating, I was able to share with both of them about my time in Turkey and my “adventures” sharing “good news” with friends there. To be completely honest, I was so swept up in this conversation that I completely forgot about the marathon, but after chatting for a while, I ran outside and caught Mom just as she was passing (and no, I never got to use the restroom).

As I was thinking about that encounter, I can’t help but marvel at what God did. Not only did I get to have a conversation with someone who didn’t know Jesus and who was from an unreached nation, but it had a special additional value to me. There are so many things I miss about the race and about living overseas. Often, God is the only one I process this with. I want to stay engaged with what He’s doing in the nations, and even though I know I can always pray, I miss being “boots on the ground.” Of all the nations I went to, Turkey was by far my favorite. I made so many friends and memories with my team, and we all saw God moving there powerfully. What seemed like a “chance encounter” was a gift from God showing me, “I see you.” 

And what kept resounding in my mind was this: I could have played on my phone in line, used the restroom, and quickly left the cafe without talking to anyone. After all, I was just there to see my mom, so to anyone else I would have been completely justified.

But I would have completely missed out on the hidden treasure God laid out- to share Christ with someone who doesn’t know Him and to be ministered to in the process. 

Guys, hidden treasures from God are hidden but they aren’t rare! He is always orchestrating appointments to meet with His people. Either He wants to meet with you or He wants to use you to reach someone else. My encouragement is this: be on the lookout for a hidden treasure from God. Look up from your phone, talk to the person next to you, slow down and linger instead of rushing throughout your day. Be open to interruption, and allow Christ into everything you do and say. Then, just have fun with whatever happens!

With that, here’s a life update!

I finished the World Race late November, 2021, and moved back home to Houston, Texas. I’m living at home with my parents and working part time as a substitute teacher. I’m really enjoying spending time with family, catching up with old friends, and getting to know new friends. 

Since I’ve been home, God has been so good to me. He has given me space to really rest and solidify habits I learned on the race. I’m having a blast finding hidden treasures from God like the one I wrote about in this blog. He keeps showing me more and more of His love. I’m super excited and truly full of peace as I wait for Him to show me what’s next. 

Thank you SO much for partnering with me during the past year and for engaging with what God is doing in the nations. Thank you for your support, for following my story, and for praying over me and my squad. I couldn’t have done it without YOU! But God’s still not done yet!

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