Matthew 28:19-20

Missions begins at home. Let’s go forth and bless the nations right where we are!

This Sunday, I want to tell you a story about a Christian who helped her foreign domestic helper to find God by simple act of faith. I hope this story will inspire us to pray, have faith, and share the good news with people God brings into our lives.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)

A foreign domestic worker named Iris was invited by her employer, to attend a Good Friday outreach service at their church. Though she struggled initially, Iris decided to give the church a chance, as she was going through a period of loneliness and deep emotional need.
At the worship service, Iris was touched by the warmth and hospitality of the church members. She experienced genuine care and concern as people asked about her well-being, hugged her, and even offered to pray for her, which brought her to tears of joy. This initial encounter prompted her to fill out a newcomer’s form, surprising her employer.
After being contacted by someone from the church, Iris began attending regular services and eventually found a sense of community within the Filipino Fellowship at the church. She made new friends and felt a deep sense of happiness in their company. However, she also struggled with maintaining friendships with others who encouraged unhealthy habits.
A mentor who played a significant role in Iris’s journey gave her a gift with Proverbs 31:25 inscribed on it, giving her strength and dignity. These words deeply impacted Iris, providing her with much-needed affirmation and confidence. Over time, Iris found herself distancing from her old friends and spending more time in church, leading her to a moment of overwhelming grace where she decided to surrender her life to God completely.
Subsequently, Iris made the choice to stop engaging in activities that conflicted with her newfound faith and eventually got baptized. This transformation in Iris’s life showcases her journey from a place of emotional turmoil and isolation to finding solace, community, and renewed faith through her experiences at the church.
Iris’s life has been transformed as she now turns to God for comfort and support in times of trouble, feeling blessed and no longer alone. She actively participates in the Filipino Fellowship, sharing her passion for Christ with her daughter by enrolling her in a Christian school and teaching her about the Bible through weekly video calls. Engaging in an online Bible study group led by her aunt in the Philippines, Iris has grown in her faith and started sharing the Word to bless others. Simple acts of kindness from her employer, church members, and fellow Filipinos have had a profound impact on Iris, highlighting the importance of blessing those around us and recognizing the missions field in our immediate surroundings. Indeed, missions begins at home. Let’s go forth and bless the nations right where we are!