MY MISSION

It has been my privilege to lead three people to Christ. At least, these are the three I know about for sure. I suspect there are others, because of my circumstances--my job.

The thing is, I am a beautician. I find that the time people spend in my chair, getting their hair cut, colored, styled or permed (yes, men too!) is a wonderful opportunity to talk about my faith in Christ. When a customer sits down, I ask God to make an opening if He has prepared this person's heart for me.

People are often receptive at that time. They open up to their hair stylist. It's an intimate setting, a time to talk about personal subjects. People should use this opportunity to avoid gossip, which has been the staple of beauty and barber shops for years, and keep the conversation on a higher level. I love to tell people what Jesus has done for me. And I find that customers who believe in Him enjoy sharing as well. In fact, I recommend to everyone reading my story that they use this chance to talk about Jesus. Unless you have very, very long hair, you must get it cut sometime!

Sometimes He lets us know part of the story, and we must trust Him for the rest.

One of my stories is almost funny. I wound up praying with a woman in the bathroom at work. That's where she accepted the Lord. The customers were outside banging on the door, saying "Is anyone in there? Why don't you open up?" When we came out--myself and the woman who was now a new Christian--we had big smiles. I think we wanted to burst out laughing. It was a joyous moment!

What happened was that a shampoo girl who worked in my shop confided her troubles to me. She had become pregnant. She was not married, so naturally she had a great dilemma. Over a period of time I won her trust and respect. I demonstrated Who I look to for answers and guidance.

I finally asked her if she would like to know more about the Jesus I trust for my help. She said she would, so I told her that He was not only a personal friend to me, He has the power to transform lives. Eventually, we went to a private place (the restroom) and she prayed to accept Jesus.

She could relate to the need for a friend, but the majesty of His love and grace were lost on her at first, I believe. She didn't work there too long after our few moments of prayer alone, and so I don't know how much she grew as a Christian after she made her initial commitment.

That's the way God works sometimes. He lets us know only a part of the story, and we must trust Him for the rest.

My second story is an example of God allowing me to learn--even participate in--the followup.

I permed a girl's hair. One conversation led to another. God created an opportunity for me to tell about my faith. I discovered she'd made a commitment to trust Jesus earlier in her life. But, when she told her parents the good news, she was hurt by the reaction from her father, who was not a believer. In fact, he didn't approve of her decision.

So this young customer and I committed to praying that her father would come to know the Lord too. We broke our request down into steps. First, we prayed that he would come to church. Then, we prayed that he would see that he needed Jesus and would trust Him as Savior.

It was so exciting when the father not only began attending church, he eventually made a commitment to Christ. And, to demonstrate how gracious God is to let me know these facts, the family came to my church!
The third instance is the most personal one of all. It involves my father, who lives in Taiwan, where I was born.

My family, of course, embraced Buddhism. But I felt my father might be ready to accept Jesus and become a Christian.

This story begins many years ago. I prayed that my father would someday follow Jesus and that I would find the right words to express what He means to me. I believe that some experiences of leading people to Christ require years of preparation, and this was one example.
It had been 14 years since my last visit to the island. When I stepped off the plane, I felt ready. During my weeks with my family, I assessed my father's heart as well as I could. I thought he was ready.

Respectfully but boldly, using words I believe were given to me by God, I told my father about my own faith. I told him my Savior was available to everyone, not just Americans. And God confirmed that the timing was right when my father responded that he wanted to pray to accept Jesus into his heart.

It was one of the happiest days of my life.