Austins in Thailand

My wife Natelle teaches 1^st grade at Grace International School. It’s a Christian school with mostly Christian students, but there are some Thai kids who attend that are Buddhist. A couple of weeks ago Natelle was teaching the regular Bible story when one her students blurted out that she hated Jesus and loved Buddha. Her classmates weren’t too happy about this told her so which made her cry. Natelle comforted her and corrected the student’s behavior. Since then Natelle has continued to be a sensitive, loving teacher and has continued to tell stories about Jesus. She has also continued to pray for her students that don’t know Jesus.

Recently, because of Holy Week, Natelle has been telling stories about Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. The little girl who said she hated Jesus and loved Buddha has listened and has been affected by the stories. She’s even cried during some of them. I don’t think she hates Jesus anymore.

One life changed at a time. This is what it takes. In Thailand the going is rough. Obstacles are huge. Sometimes there seems to be so little hope, but then people change – God breaks through. There is hope in being able to touch one life at a time. Natelle is touching more than one life - she is spending an entire year with twenty or so 1^st graders and is teaching more than math and reading. By her witness, her love, her patience she is making room for little boys and girls to love Jesus.