by Phoebe
I asked my language helper, Kae, this question as we read Mark 16 as part of my Thai language learning. Each lesson is also a bible study for Kae as she is also a member of the house church where we are ministering. When we reached verse 17 of Mark 16, I casually asked Kae whether she saw in her household the signs as listed in the passage that “accompany those who believe”. Her first response was “no” and that these signs are special spiritual gifts that are only given to selected believers.
A week later, Kae shared with me that she had been facing opposition by her non-believing husband who coerced her to change her religion from Christianity back to Buddhism on her identity card. He also forced her to worship the house spirit against her will. She had given in to her husband’s demands as she desired to have peace in the family. However, she had been feeling very guilty about her actions and had repented to God. One evening, her mother, auntie and younger sister who are believers sat around and prayed for God to help her out of these challenging circumstances. That same night, Kae felt an unusual stomachache and vomited heavily. While she vomited, she asked for God’s help and sensed God doing a cleansing work in her life. After she vomited, she felt peace to not constantly oblige her husband at the expense of pleasing God. To her, this is the sign of God working in her life.
Although I set out learning the Thai language with Kae, I unknowingly end up asking discipleship questions. In fact, I forgot that I asked Kae the question until she shared her testimony. I did not realise that the Holy Spirit is working in our discussions. Christ can indeed work through all situations (including my language and cultural learning), because He is alive!
Jon and Phoebe's thetomyumkongs journey. 