My name is Johanna, a third-year architecture student currently pursuing studies overseas. 2014 has been an amazingly blessed year, even more so for all the challenges I’ve encountered. This testimony is just a brief overview of God’s goodness during my time overseas in 2014.
In a nutshell, architecture involves plenty of time management and hard work, as well as lots of coffee. With the inclusion of serving in church and sports, one can get seriously fatigued. But, the more time I spent serving, the better the results of my studies. In all my years of studies, I’ve never gotten less than an A for any subject. I can honestly say that it is God’s grace and strength that has kept me going – when we put him first, he gives so much more!
Besides that, God has also blessed me throughout my experience serving at Kings Kafe in Victory Life Centre (Perth, Western Australia). I first got involved with Kings Kafe earlier this year through a friend. Essentially, it is a centre that opens its doors every Tuesday to people in need, such as homeless people, drug addicts and people with financial struggles. It supplies everyone who comes with physical food (a three course meal) and spiritual food (prayers and gospel outreach). I help out wherever I can, mainly with serving food and talking to the people who come.
I remember one lady who was going through financial struggles and, I believe, physical abuse. She has 5 children and the warmest smile one could ever see. Life couldn’t have been kind to her, yet she called me to her and introduced herself and her children, roughly aged from 5-11. She had names for each one of them – Lucas*, whom she called her joy, Becky*, her light, Sue*, her blessing from heaven, And Janet*, the one who tied them all together. Another lady who was abused badly by her ex-husband always greets me with a smile and tells me that she is so happy. When I asked her why, her reply was, “Every day is a gift from God. I wake up and I rejoice that my daddy God is good!”
Of course, there’s the flip side too. I once met a homeless man who introduced himself as Burt*. When I tried to strike up a conversation as I was serving him, he told me curtly, ” Don’t ask questions about me. I’ve got enough problems. I don’t want people to hear my problems and I don’t want to hear other people’s problems. Got it?” Nonetheless, Jesus says to love your neighbour as yourself. So I tried to do that for Burt – I just made sure he got a good meal, and still talked to him and prayed for him.
These are just a few of the many people there who are living testimonies of grace that goes beyond their circumstances. Despite their situations, they still choose to show love. I see many people – bikies, ex-drug addicts, people from broken lives- who get touched by the grace of God in that place. To be part of the team that serves to feed them both physically and spiritually is an immense privilege. From them, I’ve learnt so much about giving God’s love and grace to others. It is indeed true that love never fails; especially love in action where people’s needs are met.
*All names mentioned are not actual names, in order to keep their identities confidential.