By: Dung – Founder of Christcolor
An Unexpected Encounter That Changed Everything
When I first met Joe, I had no idea that this chance encounter would spark a journey of transformation in my life. Joe was an American visiting Vietnam—a stranger in my world, yet somehow he felt familiar. Unlike the many people I met who seemed busy chasing goals and achievements, Joe radiated a calmness and kindness that immediately drew me in. His eyes held a peaceful light that I had never seen before, something I found both intriguing and comforting amid the whirlwind of my own restless mind.
At first, our conversations felt ordinary—talking about daily life, culture, and hopes. But gradually, Joe began to share stories about his faith, about a love that was patient and unconditional. He spoke softly, never pressuring me to accept anything, but simply sharing what had transformed his own life. I was skeptical, of course. Words like “grace,” “salvation,” and “Jesus” were unfamiliar to me in a personal way—they sounded like distant concepts rather than something real or relevant to my struggles.
Still, there was something about Joe’s presence that made me feel safe to ask questions I had never dared to voice aloud. I opened up about my inner battles—the anxiety, loneliness, and emptiness I hid beneath my polished exterior. Joe listened without judgment, simply offering a quiet space for me to be honest. Then he shared a verse that lingered in my mind long after we parted:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
That simple truth, spoken with such conviction and peace, planted a seed of curiosity deep within me. Could it be true that someone loved me this deeply, even with all my doubts and flaws? The question unsettled me, but also sparked a faint hope—a glimmer of light in the darkness.
Stepping Into a New World: My First Visit to Church
Joe invited me to come to his church. I hesitated. I had spent years building walls around my heart, convinced that faith was for other people—perhaps weaker, more naive souls. I worried about what others might think if they knew I was exploring something so foreign. But there was a quiet voice inside, a longing I couldn’t ignore.
When I walked into that church for the first time, everything felt new and strange—the music, the prayers, the community of people united by something I was only beginning to understand. I was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions: curiosity, confusion, fear, and something I can only describe as awe. Here were people who didn’t know me but welcomed me without condition, sharing joy and peace I had never experienced.
I listened intently as stories from the Bible were told—not as ancient myths, but as living truths about hope, forgiveness, and love. I felt both comforted and challenged. Could I trust this God who claimed to know me intimately, who promised new life and freedom?
My heart was fragile, full of questions, but for the first time, I dared to hope. Hope that I could be more than my anxiety and loneliness. Hope that I was not alone.
The Beginning of a Journey Filled With Questions and Hope
That first church visit was just the beginning. Over the weeks and months, Joe continued to walk alongside me—not as a preacher, but as a friend. He answered my questions patiently and shared his own struggles and faith journey openly. I found myself reading the Bible, not out of obligation, but from a growing desire to understand this God who was reaching out to me.
Faith, I learned, is not the absence of doubt but the courage to seek truth despite it. I struggled with fears—“What if this is all just a fantasy?” “What if I’m not worthy of love?” Yet every time these doubts arose, I felt a gentle assurance that I was being held by a love far greater than I had ever known.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was a process—sometimes painful, often joyful, always real. I began to experience moments of peace that broke through my anxiety, glimpses of purpose beyond mere success, and an unshakeable hope that no circumstance could take away.
Final Thoughts
Meeting Joe was the turning point I didn’t see coming. Through his friendship, I caught my first glimpse of a God who loves deeply and pursues relentlessly. This encounter set me on a path from emptiness to hope, from loneliness to belonging.
If you find yourself searching, doubting, or longing for something more, know this: sometimes, God meets us in the people we least expect. Sometimes, a stranger’s kindness is the first step toward a life-changing journey.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
