It seemed just a chance encounter—a result of unfortunate circumstances.

For weeks I had needed to buy two wardrobes to furnish my apartment. I had hoped to bring a local friend, but our schedules didn’t mesh. Gathering my courage, I set out for the street where furniture is sold. Many small furniture shops lined the street. Although most shops carried items similar to those in all the other shops, each managed to specialize in something unique. Maneuvering through the narrow aisles in these small shops, I carefully stepped over and around the piles of inventory. While there were infinite variations on the outside, I soon realized that wardrobe interiors had three or four basic layouts. The two layouts I preferred seemed to be the least common and often the most expensive. It was discouraging.

If one is shopping for furniture, the open-fronted, over-filled shops on the “furniture street” are well-known for having the best prices. Towering over the last furniture shop on the street is a new, multi-story modern-looking mall. Big and beautiful by local standards, the entire mall is about the size of a very large department store in North America. Hot and tired and in need of a restroom, I stepped into the pleasant interior of the air-conditioned mall.

Surveying the unfamiliar layout inside the mall, I wondered if it had a furniture store, though I expected that, if it did, the prices would be sky-high. Spotting escalators in the middle of the open mall area, I began my journey to the top. Most of the mall was empty, so it was easy to quickly survey the contents of each floor. On the third floor, I spotted some beds, wardrobes, and a few kitchen cabinets in a far corner of the large open floor space. Walking over to inspect the wardrobes, I was pleasantly surprised to find two that were perfect—better, in fact, than anything I had seen all day. And best of all, they were on sale for a reasonable price!

Up to this moment, my lack of language skills had not been a problem. Because I was a foreigner who clearly did not speak the local language, the sales people in all the shops had mostly allowed me to shop undisturbed. But now that I had found what I wanted to buy, I needed assistance. After finding the salesman and showing him the wardrobes I was interested in, I waited as he made a phone call. Soon a pleasant young man showed up to serve as an interpreter. After much talking, we made arrangements for me to bring payment for the two wardrobes the following day.

Delivery was free, but giving directions to my home was a challenge. Homes and businesses here don’t have addresses as we know them in the West. My tiny apartment complex, tucked behind a four-story commercial building and accessed only by a narrow alley, is difficult to find. When neither the salesman nor the translator could understand the map I drew, the translator and I exchanged WhatsApp contact information. It was through this exchange that I learned that his name was Bane.

The following day I paid for the wardrobes. To show my appreciation for all his help, I presented Bane with a gift—one of the notebooks our project has put together for the benefit of our students.

“I’m so proud of this book, because it’s my first book from foreigner,” Bane texted me after I left. “I like it a lot. Thank you for your book.”

A bit later he texted “Do you mind if I ask you many questions? Because I need to learn English by chatting.” Thus began a most unlikely friendship.

Several months have come and gone since Bane served as my interpreter. We have exchanged hundreds of text messages on many topics. He comes from a small village several hours away, and it has been difficult and lonely for him in the city. He is naturally shy and retiring, so making friends has not come easily. A few weeks ago I introduced him to Francisco, a student missionary on our project. He was so happy to have a new friend.

I don’t know what the future holds for Bane. But of this I am sure: there are no chance encounters. God’s hand was directing my steps on that shopping trip. He knew Bane was lonely and looking for connection. One of my favorite quotes says, “Above the distractions of the earth He [God] sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best” (MH 417). How wonderful that when we are open to His leading, He even directs our steps to the right place to buy furniture, so another of his children may come in contact with His love and care.

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