As I was sitting on the floor of the bus station in Bangkok, patiently lounging around just waiting for it to be time to board the bus to Chiang mai, I was approached by a thai teenager. She made eye contact and walked directly up to me. She said, “Excuse me, are you a Christian?” As I am surrounded by fifty backpacks and a few other squad members are sitting around here and there, I am completely caught off guard by her sudden approach and seemingly random question. Nonetheless, without hesitation, I responded that “yes, I am.” Her face broke into an enormous smile and she immediately sat down next me on the floor of the bus station. I was extremely surprised by this and almost a little amused. I asked her why she thought I was a Christian… was it because I was white? I asked this because Thailand is a Bhuddist country, most westerners or white people are “Christian” (as opposed to Bhuddist, Muslim, Hindu, etc) regardless of whether or not that is where their heart is. But, she laughed at my question and said “no.” She told me that she could sense the spirit of Christ in me, without me saying or doing anything. She emphasized that because she lives in a Bhuddist country, when there is a Christian or Christians present, someone who has a personal relationship with Christ, that you can sense the presence of God. It is noticeable, it stands out.
After talking with her more, she shared that she was also a Christian and that she had come to Bangkok with some friends for a Christian youth conference. When she learned that I was in Thailand as a missionary, she jumped up and ran to get some of her friends and bring them over to introduce them to me. She said that once she finishes highschool next year, that she dreams of becoming a missionary. Once her friends came over and sat down, they also mentioned that they had seen some people from my group walking to the bathroom. Being my usual silly self, I asked them “How did you know they were part of my group? Is it because we are all white? Or because you saw them with me?” Again, this teenager also laughed. She, like the other girl, again said “no.” She said “I could sense their spirit.”
As most teams on our squad will have the opportunity to do ministry in a closed country at some point this year (meaning that we are not allowed to speak about Christianity or verbally share our faith), the arguement I have been having with God is this: “How will they know we are Christians if we can’t speak and if we can’t say anything?” God has not only answered my question, but encouraged me while I was sitting on the floor in a bus station. Sometimes I feel that there are many people out in the world doing good deeds, helping others, and serving the poor who are not Christians. I struggle with the concept of how we, as missionaries, will be set apart and that others will know that we are doing what we do because of our heart to serve the Living God. But, He is faithful to answer my questions and show me that what I am doing in not in vain. I was feeling discouraged about the possibilities of effective ministry in closed countries, but He has shown me that things like that are no barrier for Him. More importatnly, I am encouraged to know that simply loving the Lord and being obedient is a testimony even when I am unsure, unintential, or even unaware. Finally, God continues to show me that I am simply called to live my life in obedience to Him and He will do the rest.
