A Change of Plans

UPDATES | ASIA
December 2023

By E.K., a member of SEND Thailand | Asia

Over the semester, I went on a trip with my Thai friend, Amara*, and her family. Amara's mom invited Laura* to join us. Laura is an American teacher with the Peace Core who teaches at her Thai school. Laura and I shared the same room one night and it was then that I realized God had a different plan for me than I originally had in mind. I was there for Laura.

She spoke of her religiously mixed family, and her journey to decide for herself what she would believe. The night was filled with talk of her experience with Jesus, the church and its responsibility to love people, the difference between...

the Old and New Testament, and the end times. “Even in Thailand, surrounded by Buddhists, I still feel drawn to Jesus. If anything, coming to Thailand has swayed me more towards him than away.”

Our time together was special and encouraging. It was amazing to see her open up about her spiritual life. When going away on a trip with Amara, I anticipated interactions with her family and other Thai people. Little did I know, God had already made an appointment with someone from my very own country.

*Names changed for privacy.

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