An "Inconvenient" Opportunity
A trip to the furniture shop in Zaporozhye, Ukraine resulted in more than just two new chairs; two complete strangers have become fast friends with John and Evelyn Wiens and are one step closer to knowing Jesus.
John and Evelyn, missionaries working with MB Mission, have been serving in Ukraine since September 2007. As they adjust to a brand new culture, lifestyle, and an incredibly difficult language – including a new alphabet – God is fostering friendships and building relationships with neighbors, language teachers, and even furniture sales ladies.
After John and Evelyn bought a table and two chairs they waited weeks for the extra chairs they ordered to come in – but they never did. And even though they found the rest of the furniture at a different shop, God proved that He was involved – even in the inconvenient things like tracking down furniture.
Numerous phone calls and visits to the original place of purchase were required in order to determine what exactly was going on with these chairs. But these phone calls and visits to the store gave John and Evelyn an opportunity to build a friendship with Julia and Katia, two of the store clerks.
One of the first questions that the ladies asked John and Evelyn was why they decided to move to Ukraine. John determined not to reveal too much immediately. “We came here because our parents were born here,” he said. For some people, this response is enough. For Julia and Katia, it wasn’t. John continued, “We love people and we love God, and we want people to know that God loves them too.” He carried on to explain that although these are their beliefs, friendship with others is important to them – even if these friends don’t believe.
The next time John and Evelyn found themselves in the furniture store it was clear that Julia was intrigued. “Why did you really come?” she inquired. Julia was asking a bold question: what is the reason behind this love?
With an open door, John responded by telling the ladies who Jesus is and what He has done for us. John reiterated that his friendship with the Julia and Katia was important to him whether or not they agreed. “You told us that the first time,” Julia responded.
Though their beliefs aren’t defined, Julia and Katia are drawn into a friendship with John and Evelyn. The love that they encompass for people is truly evident in their lives. This divine appointment has resulted in a friendship that God is growing into something much deeper. The foursome enjoys sharing meals together and getting to know one another better. Pray that as John and Evelyn continue to nurture their relationship with Julia and Katia, God would prepare their hearts to accept the truth of Jesus.
The Next Step: How do you respond to inconveniences? Do you become impatient and let it bother you, or do you give God control of your day and allow Him to turn these inconveniences into opportunities?