This weekend, I heard a powerful testimony that truly warmed my heart and reminded me of how God, in His divine wisdom, orchestrates the journey of our lives. It beautifully illustrates how the gospel can reach the most unexpected places. Let me share it with
you.
A young man named Najendra stumbled upon a gospel tract and read it with great interest. Something sparked inside him, and he jotted down the address of the organization behind it, hoping to receive more reading materials. He also had an uncle who, as he described it, owned a ‘black book.’ His uncle would sometimes read to him from this black book. However, his uncle had to move away to Dubai. So, he searched for the black book so he could read it himself. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find it.
But God had plans for Najendra. A few years later, he went on a trip to visit friends. During his journey, he noticed that one of his friends also had a black book. His heart raced with excitement; it felt like a long-lost treasure had reappeared. He asked his friend if he could borrow the black book so he could read it. His friend smiled and responded, “Najendra, this is not just any black book; this is the Bible, and I brought it
specifically for you so that you can learn about our Lord and Savior, Jesus.”
Fast forward to today, Najendra is one of our church planter candidates, ready to embrace and uplift the ethnic immigrant community in the Austin area.
Najendra’s journey echoes a universal truth: even the smallest acts — such as sharing a gospel message — can have eternal significance. I think about my mother, who turned 77 years old this week. She is one of the strongest Christian women I have ever known. When she was around the same age as Najendra, her older brother received a gospel tract in a remote town on the island of Cebu, Philippines. That single encounter sparked her curiosity about Jesus and set her on a path that would change her life forever. Just like in Najendra’s case, it reminds us how God moves in ways we might never fully understand.
As we navigate the remainder of 2025, many of us may feel weary or discouraged, wondering whether our efforts will yield results. Yet, the Apostle Paul offers unwavering assurance: our labor in the Lord is never in vain. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, he writes, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
My prayer is that these stories inspire hope and renew your faith. Every act of kindness and every seed of faith planted contributes to a divine harvest beyond our sight. God is weaving our stories into a magnificent tapestry of grace and love, working behind the scenes in ways we may never fully comprehend. Trust in His perfect timing; as Najendra’s journey and my mother’s story demonstrate, our efforts, rooted in faith and love, are never in vain.