I’m not a competitive kind of guy. Challenges always sound like good ways to motivate the unmotivated. The description for the contest read something along the lines of wanting a big story. A WOW story like miraculous healing, divine intervention, or something unbelievable. This isn’t that kind of story.
This is a story of a guy who found himself in a country where communication wasn’t limited. From his first encounter with a local he knew this would be like nothing he’s been through yet. People told him that they saw how this could be a struggle for him. Days went by, often spent in a coffee shop or an air conditioned area. The people were nice but picked up on the language barrier pretty quick. Conversations never went to far.
As the weeks went by, it didn’t get easier. The employees recognized him at the food court, the coffee shop and the gym. He had a pattern to make talking to them smoother. At the food court, he ordered the same thing. He would smile and say thanks. At the coffee shop, he would do the same. At the gym, they knew he was buying a day pass, a large water, and a towel. He would smile and say thank you with sincerity. It became routine. Nothing big happened.
They shared laughs and jokes when he added more food to his meal. Sign language looks funny when no one understands the other. At the coffee shop, just cleaning after himself and thanking them again as he left put a smile on their face. In the gym he would find the same employee that checked him in, eating at some point and they laughed and made jokes. She would offer him a bite. Another time she was dressed up and he asked why. She managed to tell him that she was going to visit her parents in Pattaya. Nothing big happened.
As the month was ending, he found that through smiles and small acts like taking an interest in people build up friendships. His friend’s words ran through his head again, “If there is something you’ll wish you said, you should do it. You never know if you’ll get another chance.” The knowledge that they were probably Buddhist never escaped him. He just had no clue what to do to tell them about Jesus Christ. So he used the pamphlets with Thai and prayed for the best. He even gave one to the girl at the gym who was quick to offer a smile and some food. With four days left nothing big happened, until it did.
He saw his friend eating again at the gym. She smiled with a hello. He went to her and had a smile on his face like it was the first time he saw her after a year. She looked at him, and said “wait!” She started going through papers looking for something to show him. Pulling out the track, he trys to tell her it’s for her. Confused she says “no, what is this?” pointing at something in Thai on the pamphlet. Now he’s confused and admits he doesn’t understand. She says, “I want to know more.”
His eyes lit up as he promised to bring her someone who can speak Thai and answer her questions. He himself had questions he was asking. The next day, an appointment is made. The local pastor agreed to interpret as the guy, his friend and his new friend from the gym all talk.
That afternoon, a young Thai lady changed her life. That afternoon, a young lady walked out of that coffee shop glowing. That afternoon, a young Thai lady accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior. Smiles lit the room. Hugs were shared. Tears ran down his face. His world stopped briefly that afternoon. The world changed slightly that afternoon, something happened.That afternoon all the hurt and struggles were made worth every second. That afternoon he thought of everything and everyone who helped him be exactly where he was.
No one walked on water. There wasn’t a health need met to win a blog challenge. No, just two kids chosing to share a love they have with another person, a young lady decided to ask questions against her father’s wishes, and an invitation was made and an acceptance that changed the course of two worlds.This might not win a blog contest. This story might not be heard by more than you and I. But this story, this story made news in Heaven. This story had angels rejoicing and God smile. A new daughter in his arms. I’ll take that over anything else.
Thank you all who made this possible. Thank you all for loving this girl so much that you gave to make this happen for her. Thank you all. I know I’m still short of being fully funded but that will work itself out. I just ask that you pray for our friend and sister Ariya. She has this joy in her that I wish you could see.
