Under God’s Construction

We invite you to share with your congregation the following story from Pat and Rad Houmphan, Witness workers in Borabu, Thailand. The story 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 #79 September 2007.

Under God’s Construction

Uthane was a young Thai man with typical questions brewing in his 20-year-old mind as the sun beat down on him. He wondered why he was still working at a construction job in Singapore that separated him from his new wife in Thailand. He knew that he was willing to work in Singapore because it paid better than Thailand and he needed to support his new family.

Uthane had heard of Christianity from tracts handed out in Singapore, but he did not buy into this “Western belief.” One day at work, a fellow Thai worker invited Uthane to church. His friend convinced him that he could learn guitar for free, something that Uthane had always wanted. So Uthane went to church, but he learned more than just chords and strumming patterns; he learned the realness of Jesus. Every Sunday he learned more, and eventually, Uthane accepted Jesus into his life.

Uthane worked for 3 more years in Singapore and then retuned to his family in Kootmek village, Thailand. Kootmek had no other Christians and Uthane was unsure of what would happen to his faith.

Not long after his return home, Uthane became ill and was diagnosed with Leptospirosis, a disease so critical that death usually followed after 3-4 days without treatment. He recovered and dedicated his life to the service of God. He sought out Pat Houmphan, Witness worker in Borabu, and shared his desire to serve God. Pat and the Borabu church decided to send Uthane and his family to Bible College.

Today Uthane and his wife Jiep are completing a 10-month internship with the Living Water Church in Borabu. Now the sun beats down on Uthane as he helps to build a church in Borabu, Thailand. Uthane smiles as he realizes that he is not troubled by the questions as he was before because he knows that God is there for him and his family and his life has changed forever.