Have you ever ran into someone who you haven’t seen in years and then find out a few years later that your brief encounter with them changed their destiny? I know that’s happened to me, where I’ve had encounters with people who have changed my path, or a decision that I was about to make; but when it’s the other way around, it’s pretty amazing to be a part of and not even know it (until now)!
Hanah at Orphanage
I ran into an old friend and his wife a couple of years ago and after a brief chat, we went our ways. A mutual friend gave him my email recently and this morning I opened my inbox to find an email from him. He writes:
“We went to Vietnam in January and picked up this little bundle they called Nguyen Phuong Truc Mai who weighed a whole 16 pounds. My wife and I would love to get together with you sometime to share how God used you that morning in Baker’s Square to help guide us to Vietnam as China had closed for us to adopt from and we were trying to figure out what to do and where to go. I only knew two people from Vietnam in my life up to that point and you were one of them! I thought the odds were too overwhelming to be a coincidence.”
I had just heard about this news from a mutual friend, but this morning, I was so blessed by the email. I had no idea that my brief encounter with this couple led them into this direction. I had the opportunity of speaking with the proud new father after getting the email and learned more about how amazing this story is.
We can never under estimate how we may be used to make a difference in someone’s life. In this case, they felt the Lord led them to adopt from Vietnam and a little orphan received loving new parents and a home. Her destiny has changed.
As we journey through life, whether we will ever know it or not, at some point we may be used directly or indirectly to make an impact in people’s lives. In this case, I did nothing personally. We had 5 minutes. I was just there at the right place and the right time…and for this couple, it was the sign they must have needed to move forward with their adoption process towards a Vietnamese Orphanage.
Hanah in her new home
The news in my inbox touched my heart and I felt it was worth sharing. After a morning of technical issues on my blog, using shaving cream as hair conditioning, this definitely brightened my day!
You can view more pictures of this precious baby now renamed Hanah by her parents: Bringing Hanah Home
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
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Duong,
This was beautiful and such a great reminder how we can impact others even without realizing it. Seeing the pic of Hannah in the orphanage and the second one with that smile on her face is breathtaking! I can see how it also can have impacted you in a great way! Thank you so much for sharing this story. God is so amazing!!
Duoung, what an awesome, heart-warming story! We usually never know how we’ve impacted someone’s life, regardless how brief the encounter. How exciting that you know the positive impact of your encounter; you were (and are) God’s messenger here on earth. Savor the moment!
Glenda, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. You are such a special person, and I’m so blessed to have met you at Sobcon. I know “YOU” change many people’s lives after an encounter with you. You exude the love of God through your life! Stay in touch!
I have such a heart for adoption and I love reading stories about lives changed through adoption. What an amazing story…You were blessed to see the result of that “chance” meeting on this side of eternity.
Duong, beautiful, beautiful story.
I have three children through adoption, two of them from Russia and in orphanages. We adopted Julia at age 11 months (now 13 years old) and John at age 10 months (now 10 years old). Our eldest, Laura, 19, was adopted at 3 days old from here in the States.
If your friends have any questions about adoption, feel free to pass along my email. We adoptive parents need each other.
May God bless you for your role in giving her a forever family.
Hugs, Lucy
Lucy,
Thank you for your comment. That is truly remarkeable!! Those children’s lives are forever changed. I have a couple more friends that are going to be going through the adoptions process as well I’ll pass along your info and offer to be connected. Have a beautiful day!
what a great story…and great timing to receive it. I love Duong that you always share the JOY of god and life…so positive! I personally know you have inspired ME and forever will be greatful! Love ya girl!
Praise God!
Oh, Hanah is just so sweet and adorable, isn’t she?
I’m always amazed by how God uses what we deem as insignificant events to change lives! It’s so encouraging to hear about such testimonies.
I appreciate you!
Shalom,
Melvin Neo
PS: Did you really mistakenly use shaving cream instead of conditioner for your hair?
Yes Melvin, it was just one of those days…and I guess too much going on! LOL Trust me, I usually have it together…so I think!
What an amazing thing to be used by God in this way. His love for us is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for sharing this powerful testimony.
Duong, What an awesome email to receive! How thrilling to know you have touched someone’s life positively. We never know what effect our words or actions will have on another. As Raquel mentioned about her actions, so mine brought salvation to a household through one of my relatives, without me saying much of anything.
Hope your hair survived! LOL! Blessings…Lynn
wow!
i know this has happened to me.
years after i became saved my parents told me they came to the LORD because of my example. although i saw them daily, it didn’t know my impact.
God is so good!