Now, before I start, I need to preface something: the country of Thailand, and most of Southeast Asia, is a primarily Buddhist country. This means there are shrines and statues on every street, and in almost every house. We even had one in our house that we are staying at, which we promptly found a new home for.
The school we are working at is a primarily Buddhist school. Before we arrived, there were only two teachers here who are Christians: one of which is our host (and the only reason why we get to work here). And it’s wearying. We are tired, and we are worn.
Let me tell you why.
You see, there are statues of monks, and famous symbols in the Buddhist faith scattered across the entire campus of this school. Every teacher, and almost every student, bow to these statues every time they walk past. In one classroom, a prayer/worship room of sorts sits. It is a place to pray and worship to Buddha at all times. And every day after lunch, all the children spend about 15 minutes meditating in complete silence (sometimes they chant). The atmosphere here is heavy with a spiritual warfare that is real and is very much going on here in Thailand, and everywhere else in the world.
It is against the law to share the Gospel in the school.
But Jesus is here, let me tell you. Jesus is alive and present in this place. I feel him when the sweet primary girls giggle and want to play patty-cake. I see him in the young boys’ mischievous smile, in the shyness of the older girls. The song of His glory is sung by the mountains, and the palm trees shout his name. The birds soar through His freedom, and the wind ushers in His love. Love is here, Love is alive. Love is the way, the truth, and the life.
I can feel how hard His heart beats for the people here. He wants them to know Him so badly. I know that Team Junayuh is here for a reason, even if we feel tired and discouraged. The Lord has put us here to lead His people back to Him. We are here to show them life. We are here to show them love. The Ultimate Love.
Some days I feel as if I don’t know what I can do to usher these lovely people into His love and light. The language barrier is a real thing, and I hardly feel as if I am equipped with the abilities necessary to make sure my words and ideas are coming across clearly.
But there is no need to feel this way. Jesus knows these people more than I do, so there is no need to be afraid of making a fool of myself. He knows the language of their hearts, so there is no need to be afraid of a language barrier. He knows what they need, so there is no need to be afraid of not being enough, or not knowing what to do. I just have to be present. I have to be willing to follow where He leads, listen to what He wants me to do, and then do it.
Jesus will take care of the rest.
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
-1 Corinthians 9:22-23
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