This weekend, starting on Thursday, I've been staying in Rosemead for the Health Care Missions Conference at Fuller, and at the house I've been staying at, there is not usable internet, no wi-fi. So after the conference each day, I've stopped by the local starbucks to use the internet, which is freeeee with a registration of a starbucks gift card =]. Starbucks ftw!
So some interesting encounters. The first night I was at the one off of Rosemead near the 10, using the table next to the outlet. First encounter, a lady asked to use the outlet. A gentlemen was helping her setup the new laptop that she bought.
Encounter #2. A young man, working adult, asks to sit across from me, since it was the only outlet that was free. We were seated across from each other, both with our laptops on, and I was listening to my music via headphones, one in my ear, the other out, just in case people came up and talked to me.
For a while, the both of us were working on our own thing, I was processing the plenary speakers' messages earlier that day about working with urban youth and he was... working, I assume. About an hour or so later, he looks up and made a comment about the person on the phone behind him who was talking very loudly into it "it seems like there's one of those at every starbucks." Then... conversation started, he asked my name and what I was up to, starting school and what not. In return I asked what he was up to, found out he is working IT etc. Then... out of the blue...
him: "Do you have a facebook?"
me: "No. I don't" (I recently deleted it)
him: "Oh you should get one... everyone has one. You should get one to just to stay connected"
me: "well, i prefer to have my contact with people in person."
him: "too bad, cuz now I can't add you as a friend."
me: "oh. ok."
end conversation
Start doing our work again, and then 15 min later, he leaves with his friend.
Day 2 at starbucks, one off Las Tunas and Rosemead.
Walk in, see and empty table, sit down. Gentleman I sat down behind was reading Spurgeon. Another gentleman walks in and asks to sit next to the guy reading, they converse for about about what he's reading, they both find out they're Christian, talk for a bit. A third gentleman comes in to meet the second gentleman, they all talk about Spurgeon, Christ and the like. Then first gentleman leaves.
End Encounter. Alright so the second one wasn't a DIRECT encounter, but it was definitely encouraging to see other Christians around, without a formal, I AM A CHRISTIAN sign. It was definitely cool to see "strangers" fellowship, and share. =]
exciting weekend. The last day of the conference is tomorrow, there is so much that I have learned, so much that I have been reminded of, and just ... amazed by the amount of love that God has for His people, and how we are called to show the same love.
Amazing Love.
