Meant to Meet: A Not-So-Chance Encounter

I’d like to tell you about my new friend Vanessa. I met her on the ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria, and my hour-long conversation with her made a potentially long and boring ride into a rewarding and engaging one.

After parking my car and walking up the stairs to the main deck, I was amazed at how full the 3pm ferry was. There were only a few vacant seats throughout the ferry, as many passengers deemed their luggage, backpacks, or legs seat-worthy. After doing a complete lap, I found a couple of empty seats near a back corner. So I took them….one for me and one for my laptop and LCD projector.

I settled in for the 100 minute ride and started transferring phone numbers from my old cell phone to my new one. I looked across from me and there was a lone teenage girl working on some homework. Already bored of my number-transferring, I asked politely: “What are you studying?”

“Math” she replied.

“Oh, what grade level?” I asked.

“Grade 12” she answered.

She hadn’t told me to buzz off yet…so I was happy.

“What school?”

“Buzz off”

KIDDIN! “Fraser Valley Adventist Academy” she responded.

I grinned…”So you’re a Christian.”

“Yes, I am.”

“So am I!!!”

And so started a wonderful hour-long conversation. We covered a lot of ground in those 60 minutes: schooling, the Philippines, culture, dating, Richmond drivers, and most of all…Jesus Christ. And that was the most beautiful part: no matter what we talked about, it would always come back to Him.

She shared what it was like to go to an Adventist school and church. I told her about my job. She told me about the boyfriend she had when she was in grade 9, and he was in grade 10. I told her that I met the woman of my dreams, Gail, when she was in grade 9 and I was in grade 10. I told her that was 1989. She told me she was only 1 year old in 1989. I almost started crying.

She noticed my PUSH bracelet. I asked her if she knew what it meant. She told me: “Pray Until Something Happens.” So I told her the funny story of how I was wearing it in the delivery room as Gail was giving birth to Sean (“breathe, come on you can do it, PUSH, breathe, PUSH PUSH PUSH”…the nurse thought I had made the PUSH bracelet to remind myself of what to tell Gail as she was in labour!!!)

She told me that she was nervous about life after high school, not knowing where she would study or what she wanted to be. I told her about my struggles obtaining my CA designation, and subsequent journey to my present job. We agreed that God indeed has a plan for us, but we can’t possibly know with certainty just when He will reveal it to us. We can only be faithful to Him and trust in His plan.

And that’s when she asked if she could share her testimony with me.

How she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 14. How she was shocked when she was told by her doctor that it was malignant, and not benign. How she kept a positive attitude throughout the surgery and recovery process. How she was surrounded by loved ones during this trying time. And most importantly, how she was never truly worried…as she turned to God for strength and inspiration.

As we shared stories, a woman sitting two seats over from us joined our conversation, saying she couldn’t help but be inspired and encouraged by our faith, by our witness. She then shared with us her story.

The voice over the PA system reminded drivers it was time to return to their vehicles. I thanked Vanessa for her time, for being so open, and for sharing her story with me.

As I walked away, I smiled knowing what I was most thankful for. God meant for us to meet. I could have sat somewhere else. I could have slept through the whole ride. I didn’t have to interrupt her studying. But I’m sure glad I did. Vanessa reminded me as to why I am involved in youth ministry.

A primary goal of youth ministry is to lead young people closer to Christ. But through her witness, testimony, and courage; through her hope and aspirations and faithfulness…Vanessa helped led me closer to Him.

And for that I will be forever grateful.