I have just moved from New Delhi, India, where my family still lives, to Seattle to start college. My aunt Fabienne and I have a strong relationship despite the distance. She lives in Lyon, France, where my mother is from. Fabienne and I communicate over Facebook pretty regularly.
Four years ago, my aunt who teaches high school, sent me a Facebook message explaining that one of her students had seen how close we were and was wondering if I would be willing to be friends on Facebook with her. At first, I was a little surprised because this had never happened to me before but I guess people watch our interactions on FB and it can make a difference. I agreed and Faridha added me to be a Facebook friend.
For months and months we had no communication. No in-boxes, not chats, nothing. Faridha was just another friend amongst my 500 or so friends. One day, after school, I checked Facebook really quickly, and a chat popped up from Faridha. I had totally forgotten who she was, and questioned, in my head, why she was chatting with me. What was supposed to be a two minute check of Facebook turned into a half an hour chat with Faridha. She was eager to find help, and was completely open, with no hesitation. She explained that she was struggling spiritually. I knew this had to be God and only God. How would this girl I didn't know come to me with her spiritual struggles? How did she know I would lead her anywhere? How did she know I wouldn't judge her? I had never met her and yet she was so vulnerable. We talked, but I had to go quickly.
A few weeks later, we chatted again. This time, it was longer. And this time we talked about her past. She was married at a young age, and she too was Indian. She had gone to Pondichery in South India during the summer to visit her husband's family,and had been involved in a church over there. They had started doing 'Bible classes' as she called them. But she soon had to return to France where she put her relationship with God on the back burner. She talked to me about her struggles. I asked her where she lived, to see if there was a church where she was. To my surprise, she hadn't moved. She still lived in Lyon, France. The light bulb turned on. My uncle Franck and my aunt Fabienne still lived there also, and they help lead the church there. God couldn't have been clearer.
I told her about the church in Lyon. I told her that my uncle and aunt were part of a church where she lived. She asked me how to get in touch with them. I pieced the forgotten pieces together for her. I told her my aunt was Fabienne Descotes. She put the rest together. "Oh, my English
teacher" Faridha questioned. "Yes", I thought to myself. "That is how we got in touch originally." I encouraged her to get in touch with my aunt, but she was hesitant.
I emailed my aunt explaining what happened, and that one of her students would get in touch with her about going to church. The next time Faridha and I talked, I asked her if she had gotten in touch with Fabienne. She said no, and I encouraged her to do so as much as I could without sounding pushy. One question I remember Faridha asking me was what to read in the Bible, because I had explained to her that I read it every day and that was how I got closer to God. She was eager, I could see it.
Faridha finally got in touch with my aunt and started coming to church. She also started studying the bible. We found out that her husband had been part of our church in Pondichery, India, in his teen years. Amazing! Again, God couldn't have been more obvious.
Things picked up, studies happened, questions came up and doubts were cleared. We talked more and more about how her studies were doing. We had connected, and yet, we had never met. I still haven't met Faridha to this day, but I know that God is so proud of her. Faridha was baptized into Christ a few weeks ago. God works in incredible ways , in ways no one could
imagine. That is why he is God. And Facebook can make a difference. We just have to make sure we are godly in our on-line interactions. You never know who might be watching...
