It was a chance meeting. Or was it?

Traveling on a bus for five hours in a third-world country is usually an interesting experience, marked by delays, curious people, less-than-optimal roads, and other unexpected events. Steve and I were on a field director trip with Hadassah Song, traveling from the capital city to a town in the southern part of the Brahmi project. At one of our stops, we got off the bus to use the restroom and walk around a little.

As we strolled back to the bus, a friendly man standing outside the motorcoach asked us in English, “Where are you heading?”

When we told him the name of the town, he replied, “That is where I am from! Hi, I’m Simeon. What are your names?”

Hadassah and I both introduced ourselves, then my husband answered, “Stephen.”

“That’s a Bible name!” Simeon responded.

“So is your name!” Steve added.

“Are you Christians?” Simeon asked.

When we answered, “Yes,” Simeon said excitedly, “So am I,” before proceeding to invite us to visit him at his home and meet his family. We then exchanged phone numbers and continued on our journey.

A day went by. We did not hear anything from Simeon. Then on Friday morning, he called to ask about coming over. We already had plans for that day, but said that we could come to his church with him on Sabbath. (All the Christian denominations worship on the seventh day in this country). He was happy for us to do that and proceeded to give us directions on where to meet him.

Arriving at the church the next morning, there were maybe a dozen people there. A few more joined after the service started. We sang songs and read from the Bible. Steve and Simeon sat on the floor on the left side of the church with the men. Hadassah and I sat with the ladies on the right side. At one point, Simeon leaned over and whispered to Steve, “The person who was going to preach today cannot make it. Would you be willing?” Steve agreed and shared a thought-provoking message translated by a young man who was a student in the capital.

After church, Simeon and his family invited us to share a meal with them in their nearby home. Simeon shared how he started that church group and is planting others. He was so thankful that we came to be with him. In Simeon’s country, he is putting his life on the line to share the gospel with others. Therefore, we felt honored to have had the opportunity to be an encouragement to Simeon that Sabbath day.

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