I'll never forget Thailand! I served as a volunteer missionary in Bangkok for the past year. My experiences in Thailand will forever be a part of me. One such memory began one night in the little town of Toom

That evening only five of us volunteers decided to travel with the Thai church members to the village of Toom, about 40 minutes from Korat. When we arrived we were greeted by the village chief. He is not a Christian, but had offered to let us use his yard to set up the movie reel and makeshift movie screen (a white sheet stretched between two poles) for the evening's program. We divided into groups and started walking through the village of 280 people, handing out flyers to share what would be happening there in less than an hour. My Thai companion shared with me that although I couldn't speak to the people as we passed out the flyers, I would be the key that would draw them to this event. When they see foreigners, the people are naturally curious and want to know why we are coming to their small village.

After supper served to us at the chief's house, it was time to begin the movie about Jesus. The chief apologized, saying he wasn't sure how many would come since about half of the village was attending one of two memorial services for people who had died that weekend. We were amazed that of the remaining 140-150 people in the village, about 120 came to watch the "Jesus" film. I knew the Holy Spirit was at work that night in the village of Toom. What else would bring people out with an hour's notice, to sit on feed sacks or the plain hard ground for two hours, listening to some foreigners talk about a man they knew nothing of? I sat in awe amongst the people on the ground, watching their faces for reactions and reflections of understanding. During the reel changes, some of our group members shared their testimonies of what Christ has done in their lives.

After the movie, the people were asked to raise their hands if they wanted to know more about what they had just seen. They were also asked if they would like a video tape or DVD to take home or to share with a friend. My heart was filled with love for these people and honored that God was using me to share with them the story of Christ and His love. I was in awe as I passed out these precious videos to the interested people.

About a month before the night we arrived in Toom, a few people from the village asked to become Christians and learn more about what Christ has done for them. Some of these people attended the night we showed the film. They asked us to pray for them and for others in their village.

It was time for us to leave, so the five of us gathered a donation to give to the people for supper and for opening their village to us that night. We learned, as we were heading home, that this money was exactly what they needed. The small group of Christians wanted to begin building a church next month, only they did not have the money. On the trip home, one of the guys turned to me and asked, "Have you ever experienced anything like this?" We felt so blessed to have this wonderful ministry opportunity and couldn't wait to get back and share with the others the awesome work of God that night!

My trip to Korat will always be memorable for me. I praise God for this time of love, team building, rejuvenation, friendship and worshipping Him!

Please pray for the people of Korat and Toom that God continues to build the church communities in this town and village. Also pray that the Christians who are already there can be educated, strengthened and built up to share the love of Christ and His precious gift with others in their community.