EP. 75: Space for Everyone (with Vivian Mabuni)

When we look at our friend groups, do we see people that look and act just like us or is there a diverse group of people around us? Are we challenged by the conversations we have with them? Or are we always within our own comfort zones? On this episode of God Hears Her, Eryn and Elisa talk to Vivian Mabuni, who encourages us to learn from other cultures and situations that we may not have experience with. Vivian believes in diverse communities where we can have open conversations with people who aren’t just like us, even if it’s uncomfortable.

About Our Guest:

Vivian Mabuni is a national speaker, author, Bible teacher, and the founder and host of Someday Is Here, a podcast for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, She Reads Truth, and Our Daily Bread. She is also the author of Open Hands, Willing Heart and Warrior in Pink. Vivian has been on staff with Cru for more than 30 years. She loves drinking coffee with her husband of 30 years, Darrin, and marveling at their three adult kids.

Notes and Quotes: 

• “In a corporate setting or a church leadership setting, it’s easy to overlook an Asian and think, ‘Oh they’re not assertive’ or ‘they don’t really have an opinion’ or ‘they’re not expressive or aggressive’ or the kinds of things that we think of as a leader. But in other cultures we’re absolutely acting with integrity to who we are and the greater body of Christ, or our company actually is enhanced with the contribution of people that come from different backgrounds.”
• “We can all gift each other with so many different perspectives of how God has made and wired us.”
• “The issues of the world hit differently because we have real relationships with real people.”
• “The recognition of not feeling seen or heard or known is an indicator maybe to do something.”
• “Unity is not uniformity. It really is being able to be different . . . but together.”

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Rate and review the podcast: go.odb.org/ghh-applemusic
• Check out Vivian’s podcast Someday Is Here: https://www.vivianmabuni.com/someday-is-here
• Vivian’s website: https://www.vivianmabuni.com/about
• Vivian’s Instagram: vivmabuni
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy

Verses: 

• Hannah and Elizabeth infertility stories in the Bible