SAVE IN GOD’S HANDS

My train pulls into Vienna Central Station. I get off. The doors close. I reach into my coat pockets—where’s my cell phone?! There’s no way to open the doors again.

What if someone figures out my passcode? Uses my cell phone to make calls all over the world? Is happy to have a nice red smartphone? And what about my contacts? My thoughts are racing.

Lord, help me! I pray. After all, my God knows all about “Lost & Found.” I remember: More than once, I’ve misplaced something, prayed, and miraculously found it again. But not just objects - people, too. Yes, just like me: I was lost. And Jesus found me! THE gift of my life!

So I choose to trust in God and leave my cell phone in His hands. In fact, as the day goes on, I become completely at peace.

On the way home, I ask the conductor what he usually does when he finds a cell phone on the train. I explain to him that I left my cell phone on a train from Baden to Vienna. He asks, “What does it look like?” “Red with a red leather case.” He looks at me and says very calmly, “I found your cell phone.” “Really?”

Four days later, I’m holding the cell phone in my hands again. Thank God! Our Lord takes care of what is lost.

Two pieces of news during this time reminded me of how Jesus finds the lost. I received an email from Milena that read: “Thanks to you, we know Jesus, and we are eternally grateful to you!”

About 35 years ago, Milena was a refugee in Austria. She came from Iran as an Armenian and gave her life to Jesus through our ministry. Today she is married, has two adult children, and lives in California.

That same day, Esther* (name changed) sent me a message with the following words: “I will never forget you in my life; God used you to help me find my family. May you be blessed once again, my sister Miriam.”

Her story is very moving. The woman came to Austria from the Republic of the Congo over 14 years ago, shortly before Christmas, with her nearly two-year-old daughter. I “found” her while handing out Christmas gifts. Over time, I got to know her better and realized that she had literally lost her family—her husband and three sons. In her home country, they had all gathered in church when rebels arrived and threatened them in the most horrific way. Everyone who could fled. That’s how they lost track of one another. With the help of “angels”—an Italian woman who made the complicated escape possible, as well as other helpful people—Esther and her little daughter ended up at the refugee shelter where I have the privilege of supporting people.

When they arrived, they had no winter clothes and their feet were sore, poorly circulated, and wouldn’t warm up. But worse was the uncertainty: “Where is my family?” I asked Esther if she knew how to use email. She said no. At our next meeting, she said she could remember her husband’s email address. I wrote a message to that address. I knew it was risky and had no idea what would happen. I wrote: “My name is Miriam, and I’ve met a woman—Esther—who has a young daughter. Do you perhaps know someone by that name?” Anxious days followed. After some time, I received an email: “Could it be that you’re referring to my wife? Is she alive?”

In a wonderful yet difficult way, we began to communicate with one another. A few years later, in a way guided by God, there was a family reunion in Austria! A testament to how God brings together what has been lost.

In my work, I encounter many “Lost & Found” stories. Some are filled with joy when people are reunited with their loved ones after a long time apart. Unfortunately, there are also sad stories. I think, for example, of the missing father of an Afghan family who, despite numerous attempts, was unable to make his way to his family in Austria.

It is important to me that we develop and maintain a compassionate heart toward people—especially those seeking refuge. I hope that they find hope and a sense of purpose, and that we treat them as equals. Such encounters are incredibly enriching and valuable—for everyone involved.

Luke 19:10 says, “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” That remains true today. I am grateful that I am able to serve Him and support refugees in a personal and multifaceted way. I look forward with hope to Jesus’ return. Then God’s search will be complete.