Hi ! I ’ m Ngoc and I serve with Baptist Mission Australia in Indochina with my husband Mark and our young daughter Maia .
Here are six keys moments in my story of call .
1
I became a Christian at 30 years old . I thought this was just a personal , quiet decision that wouldn ’ t change my life much . I thought I would just pray to Jesus instead of Buddha and go to church more often now . Little did I know that in three years , my life would be completely changed !
I was able to get a new job and pay off my debts , and my relationships with my friends and family became more intentional and meaningful . Then , God gave me a new purpose and called me to the mission field .
2
I was born in
Indochina but grew up in Houston , Texas and had a Buddhist upbringing . In 2016 , I went back to Indochina on a mission trip . I felt unequipped and like the new kid on the block . I wasn ’ t sure if I should even go since I was a new believer . How could I share the good news when I was just learning about it myself ?
That ’ s when I realised that God uses my life experiences to be His hands and feet . My experience of growing up in a strict Indochinese Buddhist family and then coming to Christ , is a testimony to others . I don ’ t have to know everything about the Bible to share about God ’ s love and how He transformed my life .
3
In 2017 , my Dad passed away . At first I didn ’ t want to feel anything but sadness and anything about God made me cry . I got on my knees and asked , “ Why ? Why now ?” I was just starting to get to know my Dad again . I cried out to God but I wasn ’ t ready to listen .
Finally , after a few months , I decided I was ready to listen to God . I also remembered that my Dad had always wanted me to know more about my people and heritage . So I began to research and I found that the Indochinese have endured so much and are very resilient . Their culture is rich and beautiful , but they are missing the hand of God in their lives .
What my Dad encouraged me to do and what God was saying to me came together – I was being called to reach out to people in Indochina . That ’ s how I can empower the people of my heritage .
RESONATE ISSUE 39 | PAGE 15