In 2019, Robbie Pennington and his ISM (International Student Ministries) staff partner Rainey Ketcham met to pray before going to work at Troy University in Troy, AL. They prayed specifically that the Lord would open opportunities on campus in new areas and then went to lunch at the student center to see what God would do. Almost immediately, a student member of the badminton club named Long approached them and asked if they would like to join a game. Recognizing the Holy Spirit’s work in answering their prayer, Robbie and Rainey went along even though they knew nothing about the sport.

Robbie began to build a relationship with Long and, after several months, had the opportunity to talk with him about the Lord. Long responded, “I like the story about Jesus, but I don’t believe it.” Over the next two years of friendship, Long would come to Robbie with various concerns and be reminded that all his questions came back to the Gospel. Robbie never stopped pursuing Long, and it became evident that the Lord was also in pursuit. Long often dreamt that God was saying to him, “Long, I don’t know you!” When Long shared this with Robbie, he exclaimed, “Long, God is working to show you He is real!! He brought you all the way from Vietnam to Troy, Alabama! He is revealing Himself to you. These things are NOT an accident!”

Robbie had to go out of town for a week in the fall of 2022 and left verses with Long for review. He prayed that the Lord would give clarity and open Long’s eyes to see what it means to be a true believer. Upon Robbie’s return, Long declared, “I know Christ! He is in my life! I have peace!” The change in Long has been beautiful. It’s not strange to overhear Long telling a friend, “Let me tell you what I learned today.”

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