I’m writing this as I sit on a bus on a rainy Friday morning somewhere outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand, but right now my heart is is a little town outside of Phang Nga.
It was our first ministry day. We had been working on the landscape at Share the Love’s compound that morning. That afternoon, we headed out to pass out flyers for our English Camp we would host at the end of the month at two different schools. This was the place I learned how to greet someone in Thai, and figured out why Thailand is called the Land of Smiles.
After that we went to a local community center. It was like a free outdoor gym that people come to. Our host, Olivia, handed us tracks and encouraged us to share the gospel.
Just like that.
“Phra yesu Rak Kuhn ”
Jesus loves you.
After we had been there for a while, I noticed a group of teens forming in a corner. I looked at Olivia, and we headed over there.
We talked with them about all kinds of things. They attempted to guess where I was from, and asked me to impersonate accents for them. Just a side note, they loved my Southern accent the best.
I looked at Olivia, who had been helping me translate, and asked her if I could share the Christmas story and the gospel with them. I didn’t want to offend, but I just felt this boldness bubbling inside me.
She gave me the green light, and off we went. They were familiar with the Christmas story, but didn’t know why exactly Jesus came.
So I told them. I told them that Jesus came to set us free. He came to give us eternal life. He died on the cross, and conquered death in three days.
They looked intrigued, listening. Then Olivia looked at me and said, “I’m going to tell my story in Thai.”
I thought I could cry. Watching her boldness with these teens, her passion for her people. I sat beside her “holding the ropes”, praying over every word she said.
Our pastor and youth pastor also came by and introduced themselves to the kids. I was so excited they could connect with these teens.
Oh, and the best part?
Right before we left, I asked them if their friends came here often. They said no. They were only there to film a special project for school.
You know why they were there? Jesus was looking for them.
Please continue praying for them, that they can keep connected with Share the Love, and most importantly, they connect with Jesus one day.
