What an awesome privilege we have as missionaries to physically stand in the place of Jesus, many of us in lands who for the most part have never heard of Him. I get asked often by the Thai people, "Why?"

"Why do you teach children for free?"

“Why are you willing to pick up my child when I am not available to bring them?”

“Why don’t you charge for the meal you provide after your church service?”

“Why do you want to learn our language?”

“Why do you come visit in my neighborhood every week?”

“Why do you open your home to everyone?”

​

On a weekly basis I get asked one of these questions or something similar. And just today, after a lady found out that I had helped to purchase new school uniforms for a couple girls, took them on a small sight-seeing trip yesterday to visit the summer palace and the sea, and let them spend the night at my house last night, I was asked, “Why do you help those two orphan girls?”

For the most part, those that come to live in Thailand often fall within one of these categories: people looking for pleasure that is readily available, people looking to escape their past or start over, or people looking to build a business and make a profit

I don’t fit into their concept of a “farong” (foreigner), and so they are skeptical of my motives. To answer these questions, I most often say something about wanting to be a help to anyone I can. After a bit of thought and looking at me somewhat sideways they usually say the words, “Jai dee” which means “good heart.” It is then that I have the opportunity to tell them that, no, it is not that I have a good heart, but that God does. He is not the aloof being that they pray to in fear and think doesn’t hear them or understand their life or situation. He loves them and wants to have a close relationship with them, and He sent me here to Thailand to tell them about Him and to show them His love. What a joy it is to see them mull that over in their minds and then readily open their hearts to hear what else I might have to tell them about God and His love for them.

I’m thankful for each of you who stand in Christ’s place all over the world, and how grateful I am that He allows me to stand in His place here in Thailand.

Matthew 25:34-40

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

​

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me:

I was sick, and ye visited me:

I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

​

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them,

​

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the

least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Originally written for baptistmissionarywomen.blogspot.com

.