The Word Translates

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’" Mark 2:17, NIV.

At one medical clinic in a Sea Gypsy village in Southern Thailand volunteers saw 278 of the 300 surviving villagers. All the village children received immunizations. Needed medications were issued to many people. At the same time the gospel was shared with anyone who would listen.

Anne* is one of Pacific Rim’s career personnel serving in Thailand. She was explaining medication instructions to an older woman. Because of dialect differences the woman did not understand the Thai Anne was speaking, so Anne asked another village woman to help her translate. She explained the medicine and then asked if the woman would like to hear the gospel. The woman said that she would like to hear.

Anne shared with the woman, going slowly and carefully so the translator could follow. After sharing she asked the older woman if she wanted to pray to receive God in her heart. Her response was, “yes!”

After leading the woman in a prayer of dedication, again through the translator, Anne began to rejoice. The translator tapped her on the leg.

She said, “I didn’t just translate. I prayed that prayer for me too!”

Twenty five people from that one village indicated faith decisions. A nearby Thai church is following up on these new believers. The resources for the medical clinic came from tsunami relief funds given by Southern Baptists. The medical personnel were Southern Baptist volunteers. The movement of the Holy Spirit to lead villagers to repentance was all God!

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

The twenty five that made faith decisions will be taught about following Jesus and gathered into a church that in turn would reach out to others.

Volunteers will be bold to share the gospel while meeting physical needs with tsunami survivors so that many may hear and be saved.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.