Reading Between the Lines

“Posterity will serve Him; It will be told of the LORD to the coming generation” Psalm 22:30, NASB.

One Lua family from Saskat occasionally attends a church in Chiang Klang, Thailand. Often times the only opportunities they have to come and worship is when believers make the 45 minute drive to their village and bring them to church.

On one such special occasion the family mentioned their 14-year-old son, Gitisak, had dropped out of school. The family had mentioned this problem to Christian community development workers before, so Jeri Whitfield, International Mission Board missionary to the Northern Hill Tribes of Thailand, who knew the family, mentioned the problem to the pastor.

The pastor visited Gitisak to find out what the problem was, and to encourage him to continue with his education. With tears in his eyes Gitisak confessed that he had not learned to read, and could not keep up with the school work, but he really wanted to learn.

“When I heard his story I knew I had to do something to help,” said Jeri. “I started tutoring the youth in English while the pastor’s wife tutored him in Thai.”

Jeri has noticed since Gitisak has been getting the special attention that his interest in the Bible stories at church has greatly increased. “I have such great hope for this young man,” said Jeri. “He will be one of the first Lua to have the opportunity to be a second generation believer and that is such a powerful message to a people who fear change.”

After six months of tutoring, Gitisak did learn how to read. He is back in school. He is two grades behind, but he is determined to learn. “I believe a life was changed, because of this timely intervention,” said Jeri.

Pray that:

Gitisak will become a church leader for the second generation of Christians among the Lua.

Leaders will find God-prepared youth to invest themselves in to multiply workers for the Kingdom of God.

God will be glorified in Saskat.

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