GOD OPENS NEW DOORS
Albanians are not so sociable, and wintertime makes them wary of stepping out of their cozy homes. One cold winter, Sister Ruth, our IT Missionary in Europe, was alone at the apartment she was staying in. After she finished her house chores, she thought of getting her laundry outside the apartment. There was no one besides her, unlike in the Philippines, we could see our neighbors outside their houses mingling with others, but in Albania people seemed to prefer being inside their homes rather than talking with their neighbors; well, the cold weather made them even more reluctant to mind the business of others outside their homes. After Sister Ruth brought together all the clothes, she reached her hand to open the door, but the knob was stuck! It was locked! She froze and suddenly felt uneasy. “The key is inside and my phone is left inside the house, too! What should I do?” she couldn’t help but worry.
One thing to know about the houses in Albania is, doors are locked automatically so you must carry your keys at all times. It was freezing outside, and Sister Ruth couldn’t see anyone to ask for help. Her phone was not with her so she can’t make any phone calls as well.
Different thoughts started running into her mind, “what if I have to stay out in the cold and who knows until when I have to wait, I might freeze to death here? Or maybe I should find someplace to stay first while figuring out what to do. . . but I don’t know anyone here.” But as the Lord tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” She made a quick prayer, “Father, please help me. . . I don’t know what to do” then unexpectedly an old lady who’s living in the 4th-floor apartment opened her window and she was surprised to see her and started talking with her. It wasn’t exactly a conversation but more like sounds and hand gestures since they both speak different languages. Looking up to the old woman who was on the 4th floor, Sister Ruth, at the top of her voice tried to convey the message that she was locked out of her apartment. To her surprise, the other neighbors went out of their homes and started gathering around her. She borrowed one of the neighbor’s phones and used Google Translate to explain what was going on. The neighbors suggested breaking the window on the terrace would be the only way for her to get inside but Sister Ruth, with the help of Google translation, asked if there was another way of getting inside the house without breaking anything because it will cost her if there are any damages in the apartment. The neighbors started giving her some stuff like a thick winter coat and a warm drink to make sure she won’t freeze while waiting for some help to open the door. Amazingly, the man who makes the doors in that neighborhood passed by and he just lifted something in the knob, and it opened! – God rescued her, and she was able to effectively make friends with her neighbors during her short stay in Albania. As a token of her gratitude, she gave them fresh fruits she bought from the market.
God’s ways are truly remarkable! Praise God for turning Sister Ruth’s predicament into amazing friendship evangelism to her neighbors! Indeed, God opens new doors of opportunities for us to effectively reach out to the lost and needy of the land.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
(Written by: Venus Jablo)