There are some very special American Indians in my life that God has put me into a very special relationship with.  One of those very special people is a Navajo young lady, age 15, who God brought briefly into my life but gave me some really good quality time with.  When I first met her she was not happy to meet me.  She pretty much wouldn't talk to me, ignored me really, and tried to avoid me.  But, I didn't give up on her.  I kept talking to her, bugging her really, until I broke through the ice.  The ice breaker came in the form of a game that you all probably have played before, Monopoly.  When I asked her to play Monopoly with me I think she did it to pretty much shut up my questions. 

 

But then something happened.  She began to have fun playing Monopoly and then she began to talk to me.  Next came a role reversal, I couldn't get her to stop talking.  She talked my leg off.  She pretty much poured out her life to me; all the heartache, moving from foster home to foster home, how much she missed her family, etc.  That game of Monopoly really opened the door for our relationship. 

 

After that game of Monopoly, our relationship really took off and God blessed me with multiple days with her.  She even staffed a mission trip with me.  It was on that mission trip that God really drew us together and I was able to pour lots of Jesus into her.  Because of her home life and history of living in foster homes, she had put a shell around herself that she did not let many people break through.  But on that mission trip she really let me break through the shell.   As we met every morning and did our Bible study together, I saw her begin to soften her heart and try to become like Jesus.  It was thrilling for me to watch her grow.

 

The last time I saw her was August, 2008.  The next time I went back out west, she was gone.  Returned back to her home to live with her Grandparents.  I was thrilled for her.  I knew that was what she had wanted all along, but then again, I was sad.  I didn't know if I would ever see or hear from her again.  I began to pray that if it was God's will for us to connect again, we would.  Shortly after that I received a very short email from her saying she was doing well and that "she missed me."  After I received that email, I really had the desire to see her again so I began to ask God again that if it was His will, I would be able to see her.

 

This past weekend while in New Mexico for our Project Leader Training, I was told to go to Holbrook High School in Arizona to pick up a student who was going to be attending our training in New Mexico.  When I heard the words "Holbrook High School" I became excited.  My stomach began to churn.  Holbrook High School is the school my 15 year old Navajo friend attends.    "Is this it, God.  Am I going to be able to see my Navajo friend?", I asked Him.  At that point, I began to pray, "Your will be done, God.  If you want me to see my friend, please make it happen."

 

I pulled up to the high school and parked by the buses, praying I would get to see her when she came out to get on the bus.  I must have looked suspicious hanging around the buses because the Superintendent of the school came up and asked me what I was doing.  As I shared my story with him, I saw him soften and he began to tell me where to stand and which bus my friend would be riding.  "God, you are so good.", I prayed.  God didn't make me wait long.  As I watched the door of the school, out walked my Navajo friend.  I can not even begin to tell you the joy I felt, not only to be able to see my friend, but the joy that comes from knowing that God loves me so much that He would allow me to have the desire of my heart at that very moment. 

 

And oh, what a moment it was.  I will never forget the second our eyes met, when I was able to hug her and she hugged me back.  She was so surprised to see me.  Imagine how she must have felt as I began to tell her that I prayed and asked God to allow me to see her and that God honored that prayer.  That God loved both of us so much that He brought us together again even when it seemed impossible.  We had the most wonderful 15 minute visit.  And then she was gone again, whisked away by the bus back to her Grandmother's house. 

 

Oh, what a God we serve!  A God who cares about what we care about.  A God that hears our requests.  A God who honors our hearts.  A God who blesses us in our obedience.  God truly blessed me and I am confident that if it is His will, I will see her again and we will someday be able to share lives as we share Jesus.  To God Be The Glory!