Reading Luke 18:29 hit my heart today:
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
I have said yes, and will continue to say yes, to wherever God sends me. For the past ten years, since I first left my hometown of Bangka Belitung, Indonesia, God has led me to live in various places: Australia for two years, China for a year and a half, Bali for six months, Malang for two months, Baltimore for four years, and now NYC, where I’ve been for about two months.
In Australia, I gave my life to Jesus. Then I went to China for my undergraduate studies, where I formed close friendships with two brothers from Zimbabwe. We went to a local church together on Sundays and met throughout the week for Bible study, fellowship, and worship. Eventually, we became part of the planting team of an English-service church. The last time I reached out to one of these brothers, I learned that he had become a preacher in China and that God had grown the church to three branches. All glory to Him alone!
In Malang, I stayed with a Spirit-filled Christian auntie for two months, and she greatly encouraged me in my walk with God. In Baltimore, I became involved in the Graduate Christian Fellowship chapter of InterVarsity on my campus. God blessed me with fellow laborers in Christ who challenged me to grow in my faith, as iron sharpens iron, and with many brothers and sisters who made Baltimore feel like home.
Here’s my Baltimore community at a Lunar New Year celebration I hosted!
And now, in NYC, God has already brought Christians into my life who make me pray that He would let me stay here for some time.
I can testify that I have received many times more, even in this life. In each place, God has given me far more than I could have imagined. The family I have found in Christ is worth more than silver and gold.
Jesus Himself said in Mark 3:34–35:
“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Yet as precious as these communities are, the greatest gift is knowing Christ Himself. I would rather be at His feet than anywhere else.