The other night I was standing on the curb of the main
street we live on in Nong Phok, Thailand, just watching the cars go by and the
people coming and going from the few stores that were still open. I was waiting
for one of my teammates so I decided to pass my time by praying. I started
praying for the people I saw and for the little town that we call home this
month. We had learned upon arrival from our ministry contact that there are
about 20 Christians in the whole town. Out of 300.000. I was shocked when I
heard this. Twenty people!! My heart was so heavy, especially since the
language barrier here has been the hardest to deal with out of all the
countries. How can I share with people who don’t understand and with a culture
so saturated with other gods and beliefs?
A few minutes into my prayers I started turning them into
songs, and then all of the sudden a song I have heard a lot on the race started
pouring out from my lips.
You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are
You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
[Chorus] For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here
My heart was heavy for the people of Nong Phok but as I sang
my own version of this song. but I suddenly felt hope. I repeated the chorus
over and over and even started dancing around the sidewalk. It was pretty dark
where we were, but I can only imagine what the people in the passing cars were
thinking.., I didn’t care though! I was feeling like a free spirit and I was
talking to God.
I know we may not be able to evangelize as much this month
as in the past due to various things, but it encourages me that the work we are
doing here is in God’s plan and that it has a purpose. We are being example of
Christ to the kids and teachers in our English teaching ministry. We are
encouraging the existing congregation and supporting them as brothers. That is
what God has called us to this month, and that is the most we can do. Now the
hard part is just trusting how perfect God’s plan is and that we are planting
seeds here that will one day sprout and thrive.
I know greater things are
yet to come and greater things are still to be done in Nong Phok.
I look up and down the street and dream of revival for these
people who are lost. I want them to know the joy and freedom that I have found.
I want them to live fuller, more meaningful lives.
I hope they can one day sing with me: There is no one like
my God.
