Short Story

So, on March 11th all of our kids went back to their families, except Preaw. Right, now its just me, my wife, Preaw and Evangeleen. It is a much needed break and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t hope that COVID extends the break a little bit more for us. We had plans to get away and visit the beach, because the beach air is good for the babies lungs and we are thinking about relocating there as well. But, as you know and you might have the same problem, COVID has ruined everyone’s plans. We have been isolating ourselves for the past week because of Evangeleen’s health/breathing problems instead. While at home we have still had contact with all of our kids and their parents and one mother told us a great story that I would like to share with you.

Tankhun or as I like to call him KhunDog

Tankhun has only been with us half a year but in that year he has changed so much. When he came here he had never done anything for himself from dishes to cleaning his room or his clothes. At our house all of our kids have chores to do and they have to wash their own clothes, by hand, no washing machine. This may sound shocking to some of you because I would be willing to bet most of you have never done your laundry by hand, but it is fairly normal here. When he went home for mid-term break his father was so stunned by the changes in his son that he decided to get baptised. His father had been going to church for a few years but never felt he was ready to make that step, his mother had been baptised years before.

Well, when he goes home he spends most of his time at the post office with his father who works there. So, about a week ago they went to go grab lunch at 7-11 and as they approached the door there was an old lady sitting there begging for money. Tankhun saw her and reached into his pocket and grabbed his only 100 baht ($3 USD) note and gave it to her! His father was sthocked! Not because he gave money to her but because he gave her so much! For a kid 100 baht is like a $50 bill and he gave it to a begger!

His father told him, “You can help her, but you didn’t have to give her that much.” Then Tankhun turned to his father and said, “Dad, we should help other people who are poorer than us becasue God gave us so much!”

Not the actual woman, but this is what it looks like in Thailand

Man alive! As I write this it is bringing tears to my eyes. With our kids I don’t always see the results that I want and I often think that they are not listening or don’t care about what we are talking about. Then they go and do something like this. It just amazes me to see or hear things like this, with how horrible of parents we are sometimes. No matter how broken or bad you are God can still use you to influence other people to His kingdom! He will come and meet you right where you are and use you, without tons of knowledge or experience, just like 12 year old Tankhun, to show his love.

It reminds me of the story of the prodigal son:

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

One Comment

  • Benton Davis Sr

    Josh and Chitlada! Thanks for the work that you are doing with these young people. What a touching story that was of Tankhun. You are touching the lives of the young people in powerful ways. Glad that Evangeleen is still doing well. We pray for you everyday in my prayer list.
    Blessings,
    Ben Davis

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *