I’m not sure where to start with this little ball of fire other than to tell you she can’t help but let the love of Christ shine everywhere she goes. We heard about Hongsunee and the little church in Nong Khai that she attends from one of our previous contacts in Udon Thani, Thailand. Little did we know that from the moment I talked to her on the phone she would do everything she could to bless our time there.
Hong grew up in a Buddhist family, and like most who share that religion, was very against the idea of Christianity. However, when her 8 month old niece was diagnosed with cancer, she began to question the ways and beliefs of Buddhism. She did everything she could to try and fix her niece. Hong lined up the best doctors and appointments but nothing could be done. She prayed and prayed to her gods to no avail. People told her that you cannot change karma or take back things that you have done wrong and so this is how it must be that her niece has cancer. She refused to believe these lies but had not yet been exposed to the truth. One day in the library she was studying and a random person came up to her and told her to just believe in Jesus and then walked away. Hong was confused and pretended to acknowledge what was said. Later, when confronted about what was wrong Hong confessed that she was searching for someone to help her niece. A stranger told her that he knew the best doctor around. Excited, Hong quizzed him, “Who, tell me?” The man replied, “God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.” Hong then became a believer because of these divine appointments, and it is no accident that we got to meet with her when searching for “Unsung Heroes.”
Hong brought us to her church that she had become connected with in Nong Khai, Thailand. There in a simple room within a random building a teammate and I met with Hong, the pastor, and a few more church goers. These people knew nothing about us and except for Hong, did not speak English but they prepared us fruit, sandwiches and the all infamous “banana roti” that I hope everyone gets the privilege to try some day. We shared what God was doing in our ministry and they shared about theirs. Although only 2 years old, Bread of Life church is inspired by the Great Commission and has ventured out into its community to reach all who have ears to hear. They do school programs, English classes, street evangelism, children’s ministry, and multiple services in multiple languages. They don’t have a 6000 member congregation, satellite churches, or on-air live teaching but they are spreading the good news and it’s obvious when you meet people like Hong.
The next day Hong invited us to an amazing traditional Thai dinner and even got us all gifts (purses to be exact). Derek and I call ours satchels but you get the idea. Later we went and prayed at the hospital for one of her friends and we were all truly moved by the way she poured her heart out to people in the waiting area. Hong is a real Unsung Hero. Her smile, generosity, and passion for God is like few I have met before. She welcomed us in like long lost friends when she knew nothing about us. Please pray for Hong and Bread of Life Church in Nong Khai. Pray that God will continue to encourage believers like Hong and that their lives will continue to be a light to those in the dark.
