Christmas in Thailand…
Nope, still hasn’t sunk in.
Ever since launch I’ve been thinking about it. I tried to brace myself for the emotional struggle I imagined was in store. I mean, I’ve always been home for Christmas. And if you know me, you know how important Christmas is to me, as well as tradition. Add onto to that my worry about how my family was handling it literally on the other side of the world!
*alarm goes off*
Christmas morning has come.
And… it started off just the same as any other morning.
…But that would not be how the rest of the day would be described.
We had a journey ahead of us.
Ourfirst stop would be to a school of over 1700 students to share about Christmas; singing songs, doing a skit, and getting to sit down and get to know them/allow them to ask us questions.
1700
And they told us that all the students identify as Buddhist. 100%
I might add, it was the first time a team from America had ever gone to this school. So on Christmas Eve night my team prayed for this new ground to be made ready for us, and for opportunity to share the Good News.
“If you ask anything in My name, it will be done.” That was the promise Christ made to us.
Well, let’s just say He didn’t disappoint!
We had roughly 45-50 minutes with each group (each group was about 200-300 in size) and had time for four groups to come through in total. And it was such a great time! The director of the school, as well as all the staff and students, were so welcoming! We hit the ground running and were just constantly going strong! One of our unspoken worries was running low on energy after the first sessions, but God just supplied or every need!
And boy did He ever!
You see… well, there were just SOOOO many students, and translators were present, but in short supply. So there were times we were in groups of 20-30 or more where no one spoke English or very little. At times it seemed defeating because we could convey little beyond our names and where we were from (although a lot more people know where Pennsylvania is now!). And when we did have a few who spoke English our conversation tended to get… how should I say? Derailed? Yeah, derailed.
But it was in my third group of students that God’s perfect timing and provision appeared.
I sat down with a group of boys in the front while other students were still filtering in for the session. And one of them spoke a decent amount of English. So we went around the makeshift circle we had made sharing our names. It was already off to a great start.
When my time came to circle-up with them again, I found myself once again in a group without a translator. The first minute or two we tried asking one another questions, using anything from props (i.e. my class ring with a cross on its side) to gestures. It availed us little.
But then I saw a door God had put literally right in from of me.
The one student I spoke of that knew some English was wearing a lifeguard hoodie. At least, that’s what I thought, until perchance I saw the name “Matthew” on the front. Suspecting, I asked if he could show me the whole front of his hoodie. And to my joy, when unfurled his hoodie read in full “Matthew 14:22-32”.
“HOLD ON- DON’T MOVE!” I said hurriedly as I scrambled to my feet. I immediately scanned the room for my Bible and, upon spying it, made a mad dash for it.
Back and forth I pointed, from hoodie to Bible, showing them the verse on his chest and the actual scripture. I laid out my Bible in the middle of the circle and they immediately swarmed it, scanning with piqued interest, song if they could take pictures, a few with apps that could translate the text on the page to Thai! As they did, I saw the director of the school walking by, and knowing she could speak English asked her if she would translate for me, which she obliged.
I began sharing what the text said. It was about Jesus inviting Peter out in the water with Him.
PERFECT!
I proceeded to start sharing my story with them, particularly while on the Race and just what the Spirit has done; of miraculous healings He’s done and how He’s spoken to me and others, shown and fulfilled prophecies and visions, and much more! The fascination was written on their faces. Mind you, these are high school age students, and even in Thailand if it’s not anime or a video game, just like in America, you likely won’t catch their attention with anything else, and if you do you won’t hold it for long. But they were LOCKED. IN. on me!
And then… this happened
“Can you show them how they can pray to Jesus?” asked the director of the school to me.
OH YEAH I CAN!
“But let me ask one more question to them.” I said.
“Do you all want to accept the gift Jesus offers to everyone that wants it, to be freed from your bad Karma?” (I used karma because sin doesn’t translate easily in Thai but bad Karma is the Thai/Buddhist equivalent. In Buddhism, your life is a constant struggle to have your good Karma out weigh the bad in order to attain Enlightenment. You have to earn your way to paradise, is another way of putting it.)
She translated…
…and ALL of them shook their heads in agreement! ALL. TWELVE!
About this time, though, the session was wrapping up. BUT when the Spirit is ready to move, you don’t put Him on hold, y’all!
So with permission, I, with the director, a member of the local church, and our mission host this from YWAM, went and, with their aid, I with them repeating my words guided all of them to accept Christ as their own, loving savior!!!! It was so incredible and Spirit led, I don’t even remember everything that was said. My host was so great, though, because I just gushed all sorts of different things to them, and he also threw in his own knowledge and direction for them. And the member of the local church also helped try to get them connected with the church!
Y’ALL, I’m on cloud 99! And that wasn’t the only experience like that either! Another led their group of 15 through the sinner’s prayer as well, with a number of other great experiences had as well!!!!
WHAT. A. CHRISTMAS!
With the second half of our day being helping out with a GIANT Christmas party for the community and sharing the Gospel yet again, it was so incredible!
On Christmas day, we didn’t get together with family, open packages, or have a feast.
BUT WE DID end the day with a bigger family than we started with; about 30 or so bigger, and celebrated with song, dance, food, and fireworks!
And it was during this huge celebration that I realized that THAT is what Christmas should look like. Not just rejoicing in the Light that came into our world, BUT SHARING IT, and REALLY celebrating and rejoicing over those that have accepted that greatest gift of all!
I was filled with joy yesterday. Not just happiness; that fleeting highlight called “happiness” that comes and goes, but lasting joy!
As we finished our time at the school, the director asked if any of the students would like to say anything to us.
One did.
“Thank you for changing what we know about Christianity.”
…….what can I say. My perspective about Christmas was changed yesterday, as it was in the eyes of hundreds of students as well. 🙂
REJOICE WITH US! Especially all you that have guided me and supported me with prayer, teaching, financial support, etc. These are YOUR crown of rejoicing as much as they are mine! We’re told to CELEBRATE! SO CELEBRATE!!!!!!
And do me one more favor. Christmas is more than a day. I know that as I type this Christmas decorations have already come down in many homes or will within the coming hours. Let them hang, at least a little while longer, and remember the newborn King whose birthday they celebrate! Let Christmas not be fleeting, it’s a season of joy in the midst of great darkness, both physical and spiritual darkness. Don’t hinder the light (Light)- please, LET IT SHINE!! And soak in the warmth and love they should remind us of, of the Hope that was given us!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
