Faith
Trusting God’s Call as Strangers Abroad
Faith Facts
- God faithfully goes before those He sends into unfamiliar lands, calling His people to trust in His guidance and presence.
- The power of the gospel transforms hearts even in difficult circumstances, offering hope that surpasses all earthly aid.
- Living with a posture of “Hineni”—”Here I am”—is essential for Christians responding to God’s call, no matter the cost or uncertainty.
Throughout Scripture, God calls His followers to step out of their comfort zones, learning to rely on His strength rather than their own understanding. This journey often begins with welcoming strangers and sharing Christ’s love, creating a legacy of faith that crosses generations.
Sonya’s family experienced the gospel firsthand through the kindness of Christian strangers, shaping their lives and launching them into ministries of hospitality and outreach.
Twenty years later, Sonya became a stranger herself while interning in the Middle East, where she witnessed the hardships and faith of people different from herself.
During a visit to Hungary, she encountered refugees in distress and recalled Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
That experience inspired her to return and serve in medical and refugee ministry, facing challenges with humility and learning to seek God’s comfort and strength despite cultural barriers.
She met a young refugee transformed by the gospel, whose joy in discovering God’s love was greater than all material assistance could offer.
Sonya’s journey of faith continued as she pursued theological studies in the United States, trusting God’s leading and provision in times of personal hardship and doubt.
At Arise Asia, Sarah Breuel’s teaching on “Hineni”—offered by Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah—encouraged Sonya to respond faithfully to God despite uncertainty.
Sarah Breuel said, “God’s people never graduate from Hineni.”
Through moments of fear and surrender, Sonya was reminded by her mother, “It is God who calls you and sends you. He will take care of us while you are gone.”
Embracing the discipline of surrender, Sonya learned that letting go of precious desires draws believers closer to God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness.
Trusting that God’s presence goes with her, Sonya continues to obey His call, knowing He meets His children wherever they go.
We are called, as followers of Christ, to answer God’s call with boldness and trust, surrendering our fears and embracing the adventure of faith. Let’s pray for courage to say “Here I am” in every season, confident that the Lord’s compassion and provision never fail.