JUST ONE SOUL

Being an international missionary in Mongolia taught me something I never fully understood before: sometimes, ministry is quieter than we expect.

Many people imagine missionaries constantly preaching, holding Bible studies, or openly sharing Jesus everywhere they go. But in my experience, it looked very different. Because of certain restrictions on proselytism—the act of actively trying to persuade someone to change their religion or beliefs—I had to be careful. The safest role for me was becoming an ESL teacher, and honestly, that became my real mission field.

At first, I thought teaching English would only be my “cover” as a missionary. But eventually, I realized that God can use even ordinary conversations, simple kindness, and genuine friendship to touch someone’s heart.

I taught kids, teenagers, and adults. Most of my students knew I was a Christian, and while I was happy they became aware of Christianity, there was also a sadness in me. Many of them knew Christians existed, but they didn’t truly understand who Jesus is or what salvation means. To them, Christians were simply “believers,” just another group in the world. Nothing more.

That realization weighed heavily on me.

There were nights when I questioned myself and silently asked God, “Am I even doing enough here?” Fear and hesitation slowly crept into my heart because everything felt limited. In children’s classes, I couldn’t freely sing songs about Jesus or openly mention His name because parents might complain.

With teenagers, I focused more on values, respect, and character development while constantly praying for wisdom. Every day before class, I would ask God to guide my words and help me reflect Him in ways that were still respectful and safe.

For weeks, my prayer stayed simple: “Lord, even just one soul. Let one person know You.”

Then God answered that prayer in the most unexpected way.

One of my adult students gradually became close to me. She wasn’t a Christian, but she was curious about my faith. During our free conversations, she would ask about my life in the Philippines, my family, and the way I lived as a Christian. I shared why I keep the Sabbath, why I avoid certain foods, and how God changed my life personally. What surprised me most was how genuinely interested she was. She didn’t just listen politely—she wanted to understand.

As time passed, I became more comfortable sharing little pieces of my faith with her.

One day, while we were driving to a café, she suddenly played a Christian song in her car and asked if I knew it. She said she wanted to understand the meaning behind the lyrics. In that quiet moment, I remembered my prayer: “Even one soul.” And I realized God had already been working long before I noticed it.

Before we had to leave the area because of visa complications, I gave her copies of The Desire of Ages and The Acts of the Apostles along with a handwritten note thanking her for becoming such a blessing to me.

That experience changed my understanding of ministry.

Sometimes we think being a good Christian means convincing people to convert immediately. While sharing the gospel is important, Jesus often started with something simpler: relationships. He listened to people, ate with them, walked with them, and revealed God through His character.

I learned that sometimes, the most powerful way to introduce Jesus is not through a sermon, but through a life that quietly reflects Him every single day.

-Devie Joy Samson I 64th Batch 1000MM

Dalanzadgad Omnigovi, Mongolia