Short Tia who lived tall

We invite you to share with your congregation the following story from Pat and Rad Houmphan, Witness workers in Thailand where they work with several ministries including the emerging Living Water Church of Borabur. It should take no more than 2 minutes to read aloud. You might also wish to include the story in your church newsletter. This story is part of Equipping #70 October 2006.

Tia was born and raised in Ban Pongpod, a village situated near Borabu, Thailand. She married as a teenager and had two children but her husband was constantly abusive and they soon got divorced. As a single mother Tia needed work and like many other Thai people without work, she moved to Bangkok. Life became harder for Tia as she suffered through two more unsuccessful marriages and then tested positive for HIV. But in the midst of this difficulty Tia discovered hope as she heard the Good News and came to know Christ.

Fifteen years later, Tia decided to move back to her home town and during a visit to nearby Borabu, she discovered the Living Water Church. Excited that a church now existed near her home, she attended services and eagerly participated in church activities. Tia delighted in this opportunity to fellowship with believers and she wanted her family to experience this joy together with her. She invited staff to her village to share the good news with her friends and family and through this Tia’s mother and two other family members also came to know Christ. In March Tia’s illness became worse and she passed away in October. With her death came her last wish: that her funeral would be a Christian funeral held for all her village of Ban Pongpod to see. The Living Water Centre held the funeral and showed the Jesus film on the same day.

Three months later, Tia’s family invited us to come back and share more about Christ. We did so and started a cell group that meets every 2-3 weeks. Since then, 3 more members of Tia’s family have invited Christ into their lives. We still hold cell group meetings and the Word continues to spread throughout the village. Through Tia’s life and death, many have heard the Good news and many more will. For a lady whose name translates to “short” in English, Tia surely walked tall in life.