Is God calling a Hispanic church to plant an Asian church?
That was the subject line for an email this morning from Brian Baughman. It was such an intriguing question, GraceConnect asked if we could share the story here.
Maybe, I don’t know for sure, but it feels like it! I have been here before and it feels the same – I see the same things happening – every time I turn around God is directing me into the paths of Cambodians, Laotians, and even one Chinese guy! (In Elkhart, Ind., that is a little odd) I have such a love in my heart growing for them and the doors seem to open really easy as we start talking.
I have met a number of Cambodians in the last two weeks. And this morning by a very odd set of circumstances I ended up at a place called “Lucky’s Donuts.” They don’t even make donuts anymore! But that is where I met Samai. A 42-year-old Cambodian man who survived the Khmer Rouge, spent 13 years as a monk and is now searching for the real God and wants a Bible – in Cambodian! (So if you can help me on that please do).
Samai told me a portion of his story. … I don’t want to bore you with the details but let me tell you this part; he has been here now for 13 years after escaping. He started working in his sister’s store upon arrival. He has worked there 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 364 days a year for 13 years now. He gets 4th of July off! And he is really happy with that! He grew up as the poor of the poor. He walked 6 miles to school one direction with only one change of clothes and usually no food as a kid. He hates the government of Cambodia now almost as much as he hated Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. But to listen to his story is to have your heart opened to see the great need for Jesus that he has.
Please pray with me that God will give us some clear guidance and steps. It reminds me of Psalms 23 “The Lord is a Shepherd….. he leads in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…” Lead on… maybe God is calling a bunch of new Hispanic Christians and a couple of gringos to reach His lost Asian children…