An Unexpected Greeting

I went for a walk this afternoon to the post office... On previous walks through the neighboring community, I've often noticed the numerous elderly gentlemen who sit around in the shade of the trees, watching people pass by, talking with each other or playing games together. I've often desired to join them, just to chat with them, but am hindered by the language barrier. Taking a detour through the local market after picking up a package at the post office, an elderly man's huge smile greeted me. Usually that's not the reaction people have as I walk past their produce. Usually I get a look like 'you're a little out of place here.' Then even more strange to my ears, he spoke to me in English! He said to me, "It's not very often I see a foreigner walking here." And from there, the conversation continued for at least 10 minutes. Being the same age as my grandmother, he had lots of wisdom and experience to share with me from his travels around the world. He was born in New York to a family of 20 children! He's lived in several other countries in his life and only lived the last 10 years in Hong Kong. He had lots of thoughts about human nature, animal nature, connecting the two of them, life and death, and the search for God. I pray for another opportunity to speak again with this friendly man, who has a need to know God- who has made himself known to us. My heart is burdened for him, but am also amazed at how God gave the opportunity to talk with him.