Thailand: Sharing the Good News with a smile

Recently, we traveled to Khao Yai for an English camp. The point of the weekend was to help the Thais practice their English, all while building relationships. I was fortunate enough to meet so many Thai girls and build awesome relationships with a few of them over the course of the weekend. 

Haley GodwinSusie decided to sit with me on the way home, because we had a four-hour bus ride, and she wanted to practice her English. She ended up asking me how long I had been a Christian. I knew God was putting an opportunity right in front of my face, and I took full advantage of it. I was able to share the gospel with her, using the illustration of how Jesus provides the bridge between sinful man and a holy God. 

The following Monday, Susie came to the Baptist Student Center at 4:30 p.m. before her English class at 7 p.m., because she wanted to practice more English. We ended up reading and studying a Bible story. It was an opportunity for me to a story about Jesus, and it gave her a chance to practice English pronunciation and learn new vocabulary. We had a great discussion about the commandment to “love your neighbor.”

“When you talk about Jesus, you are so happy and smiling,” Susie told me after I shared the gospel with her. That just made me smile more, because I pray that whether or not I am able to share the gospel with everyone I meet, I make it a point to have a servant’s heart with a smile every step of the way.

I love the relationships I am building with the Thai people. God has given these people a sense of urgency to learn more about English, American culture and the Bible. They are so friendly and incredibly courageous. They truly inspire me in many ways.

Hayley Godwin, a student at the University of Texas at Tyler, is serving with university students in Thailand through Go Now Missions.