Do the Impossible
Would you sell your home and go to East Asia right when the rest of your friends were retiring? That’s exactly what Rose did when she sensed the Lord leading her to Vietnam.
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By Rose
In 1992 I had an experience that changed my life forever and propelled me on a journey that would ultimately take me to Vietnam. At the age of 32, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I never dreamed that life as a Christian would be filled with so many twists and turns and that the journey would be filled with both joys and sorrows.
God Had Me in the Palm of His Hand
Soon after starting my life in Christ, I was faced with the impossible task of raising my three daughters on my own. My decision to follow Christ cost me my marriage, but God had me in the palm of his hand. He led me and directed me during that difficult time.
His provision for my family was nothing short of miraculous. In his perfect timing and after much prayer, He sent me a husband who loved him as much as I did. We both grew in the things of the Lord, and 14 years into our marriage the unexpected happened. My husband, Brian, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Within three months, he went home to be with the Lord.
I would love to say that I handled my grief as a strong woman of the Lord, but that would not be the truth. I never walked away from the Lord, but I was angry with him. I couldn’t believe he would allow me to love so deeply, then take Brian away. I turned to past coping behaviors, but God always reminded me how much he loved me, and he would never leave me.
God Was Doing a New Thing
Two weeks after Brian passed away, the Lord gave me a scripture, Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
At the time I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me.
For three years I struggled in my grief, and all the while wondered what the Lord was trying to do in my life.
Then one morning, in my devotion time, the fog of grief was lifted. The Lord spoke to my heart telling me I was going to sell my house and he was going to direct me to the mission’s field.
God Was Calling Me Into Missions
I had gone on several short-term missions’ trips throughout the years, but I had the impression that this was to be full time missions.
He began orchestrating the impossible of providing funds to fix my house up for sale, spoke to my heart about what price to list my house at, and arranged a divine appointment with just the right real estate agent. Just when I thought I would be going to Guatemala to serve him, he shut that door.
Instead, he spoke to my heart about serving in Vietnam.
I was surprised, I never thought of being sent there. But, he made it abundantly clear that was where he wanted me.
I would watch a travel show, it would be about Vietnam, watch a cooking show, they would be making Vietnamese food! My neighbor gave me a Christmas present (she didn’t know my calling) and as I unwrapped it, “Made in Vietnam” was written on the box.
I finally said, “Yes Lord, I will go to Vietnam”.
My pastor approached me with an opportunity to go to Vietnam, but I couldn’t see how it was going to work. I had a full-time job, and still hadn’t sold my house.
I Had to Walk By Faith
But we serve a God of impossibilities and my love for him compelled me to walk by faith not by sight!
I was fired from my full-time job the day after Christmas due to a personality clash and was able to collect unemployment. This allowed me to finish fixing my house up to put on the market.
After only one month on the market, my house sold at the price the Lord had told me to list it at and I was able to raise the funds needed to spend 11 months in Vietnam!
We serve a God of impossibilities and my love for him compelled me to walk by faith not by sight!
God’s Has a Plan for Each Person
Never doubt for one moment that God has a calling on your life. You could be any age. You are never too young or too old, he has a plan to use you. Let your love for him compel you to do the impossible.
As the next chapter of my life unfolds, I will be returning to Vietnam in 2020. I am trusting the Lord to provide for all my needs to get there and to stay there for three years. I want to “light up Vietnam” and be a cool drink of water to those who are serving there.
I leave you with this challenge, what do you feel the Lord compelling you to do? Will you submit your all to his call?
Editor’s Note: Because of COVID-19, Rose was unable to move to Vietnam on the original timeline. She continues to trust God to take her to East Asia in his time. Please pray for Rose as she waits on the Lord.
Author Bio:
Rose is the mother of three daughters, two sons-in-law, and has six beautiful grandchildren. She lost her beloved husband six years ago, but the Lord has used the loss to bring about his full purpose in her life. After eleven months in Vietnam she has a deep love for the Vietnamese. She is honored that the Lord has called her to “light up Vietnam”, and she looks forward to returning there in the future.
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