Nam stared at the large metal pot of simmering broth, the piles of uncooked noodles, the bowls of prepared pork balls and minced meat.
How is it that I am sitting back here again? I promised myself my life would be so much better than this. I have a degree! I married a successful businessman! I was on the road to a happy, secure life… I must have done something very bad in my past life, or I have offended the spirits, to be back here in my mother’s home. How will my children and I be able to live on what she makes at her noodle shop? What will I do? I’m so sick of all these people who keep telling me to “keep pressing on, keep pressing on!”
Nam hardly heard the honking of a horn, but her two children immediately came running out of the small room behind the vending stall. “Mommy, Mommy, it’s the hot dog lady! May we please have some? Please?”
Sighing, Nam stood up and walked out to Jai, the hot dog vendor, who greeted her and the children with a cheerful smile. Jai must have a very good life to be able to smile like that, Nam thought enviously.
But as time passed, Nam discovered that Jai’s life was startlingly similar to her own. Jai, too, had never known her father. Jai’s husband, too, had left her to support two children on her own.
One big difference between them, though, was their outlook on life. Although Jai struggled to make ends meet, she always had a positive attitude. One day, Nam asked Jai how she could have so much happiness, considering her circumstances.
“I am glad you asked me, my friend,” Jai replied. “I have this happiness because of God. He loves us. Life in this world is bad because of sin, but God has made a way for us, through Jesus, to help us through it.”
Nam continued to talk with Jai and eventually accepted an invitation to attend Bible study group. She is continuing to learn more about the Bible and the God who is ready to be with her through all circumstances.
Pray for Thai Christians to keep growing in their faith, and to be equipped to share that faith with others.
Pray for more churches and Bible studies to be started in areas that do not have any yet.
The Thai are much more likely to attend if a group meets near where they live.
Pray for more Thai Christians and cross-cultural workers to go work in rural areas.