An Unexpected Grace

By Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi, Current Missionary in Brooklyn, NY

I want to introduce to you Monica, whom I met for the first time two months ago. She recently contacted us saying that she was struggling with health issues and stressed out with many things. She asked if we could meet at her place, so two of us went and spent some time with her. The whole time she was crying, sharing about her health and her life. She was very lonely as her family is not in NY and most of her friends moved out of NYC due to Covid-19 and the violence that happened in the city those days. The strange illness has limited her normal life in many aspects. Facing all those problems, she realized how lost she was, especially in faith. She asked us for advice on how to start the journey back to faith, and I was moved that this struggle of life helped her to recognize that the most important thing in life is the relationship with God.

She wrote to us a day after: “I cannot thank you enough for the time you spent with me yesterday. It gave me hope that I am not alone in all of this. Thank you both for being such good listeners and for all you said that was so very helpful for me to hear. Just being with the two of you was a huge gift. I feel heard and seen and not so alone as I have felt so much lately while dealing with my health issues and also what is happening around us. So many thanks.” It is amazing to me how the Holy Spirit works! He sent her to us! The fact that we are present and faithful to the mission is enough for God to console and save lost souls.