A GOD STORY FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA: We sat around one Sunday afternoon at our Thai church. Once we had worshipped the Lord together and finished sharing a meal, someone got out a guitar and we started singing once again about the love of God. As we sang of God’s faithful love he put it in our hearts to share this love with our community on Valentine’s Day. It was coming up soon.
As we talked together, the Lord lead us to plan an outreach at the waterfront, a popular part of town in the evenings. The day came and we gathered together and began to sing of God’s love and hand out water, snacks, and a simple card that said “Jesus loves you” in the local language, to the joggers, cyclists and families that were walking by.
Some people would stop and chat for a minute but most of them just kind of went on their way. One man came by driving an ice cream cart. We briefly shared that we were there to share God’s love with him and we handed him the water and the card but he seemed quite eager to go – perhaps to make some sales with other people at the waterfront – so he drove off quickly.
It was surprising to see him go about 200 meters down, turn around and drive back to park right in front of us. We walked over to him, and as soon as we reached him he asked us if we were Christians. Could we help him follow God?
To our amazement he explained that he once had a friend whose life has been completely turned around when he began to follow Jesus and right now this ice cream man he found himself in a place of desperation, looking for the same hope and life transformation that his friend had found.
So when he realized we might be able to help him meet Jesus and connect with a church he knew he had to turn around and come back right away.
That day he eagerly heard the good news of God pursuing him and of God’s great love, wanting to meet his deepest needs for life and peace.
He chose that day to start following Jesus. We prayed together and made plans for him to join us on Sunday to learn more about his new life with Jesus.
That Sunday came and he joined us for fellowship and he brought the little card that we give him that said God loved him.
Since then he’s become a part of our church community. He’s been an encouragement to many, has diligently pursued knowing Jesus and was recently baptized in the very same river that we stood in front of on the day we met.
He publicly declared his new life in Christ.
When we met him he was desperate and with little hope, but now he has a deep joy that everyone can see when he speaks. His life has truly changed dramatically as he walks with Jesus.
God’s love is marvelous and powerful.
God was working in this man’s life. Through the testimony of this friend he was drawn to God’s goodness and power.
God was leading us as he put it in our hearts to be at the waterfront that night.
And God has been abundantly merciful to this man by giving him new life and sure hope in Jesus.
