God truly blessed my son and me with an extraordinary experience that I’ll never forget. At 50 years old, life still finds ways to amaze me with new discoveries and connections.
During our dinner outing, something magical unfolded. There was this young gentleman who kept glancing our way throughout the evening. Before we left, he approached us with a warm smile and introduced himself as Paola (a shortened version of his full name which, admittedly, I couldn’t quite catch!).
When he mentioned he was from Mauritius, I was genuinely puzzled. “Where is that?” I asked. He explained it was near South Africa, somewhere in the southern region. My curiosity was piqued, but with my internet not working, I couldn’t look it up right away. I asked if he was South African or Indian, to which he said no to both. Later, when I could finally search, I learned that Mauritians are a beautiful blend of African, South Asian (particularly Indian), and other ancestries. This discovery brought me to tears – tears of joy and wonder at God’s intricate ways.
A Meaningful Prelude
What makes this encounter even more special is what happened earlier. I had been sharing with my son my passion for travel and the importance of experiencing different cultures. I told him how meeting new people and learning about unfamiliar places fills my heart with joy. Little did I know what was about to unfold!
Divine Timing
The evening was already remarkable before meeting Paola. My son had gotten a leg cramp at our table, and our Filipino waiter rushed to help. This touched me deeply because my brother, who had recently passed away on March 6, 2024, had married a Filipino bride just weeks before his passing. I found myself calling the waiter Eric and Aries ”brother,” as I felt a special connection to my own brother’s memory.
My son, in his wisdom, noted something profound. He said, “Mom, I think God is listening to us and answering our prayers.” This was before we even met Paola! He was referring to how the Eric, the one standing next to him, had told him, “If you need anything, just ask me” – words that echoed the very essence of faith and divine provision as he remembered once his big brother said the same words to him.
A Beautiful Revelation
Learning about Mauritius and its rich cultural tapestry – a nation where Creole and French are the primary languages, where people of South Asian, African, European, and Chinese descent live together – felt like a gift from above. Meeting Paola, a Mauritian, was more than just a chance encounter; it was a beautiful confirmation of God’s presence in our lives, answering our prayers in ways we never could have imagined. From that night on the next morning, my breakfast waiter Derek, was also Mauritian, as well as, guest relations supervisor I worked with Frederick, and the manager of the bars of whom I had the chance to have sit down conversation with. I guess what I am saying is that I got to learn something new, meet new people from a place in the world I did not know existed. We then met a gentleman Maxwell, from Zimbabwe who graced us with his presence, shared stories, and shared in our joy.
This experience reminded me that at any age, God can still surprise us with new discoveries and connections that touch our hearts in profound ways. Through these divine appointments, He shows us the beautiful diversity of His creation and the endless possibilities for meaningful connections across cultures and continents.