At the end of our main ministry week in Thailand, the calling campaign for discipleship week commenced with the local churches. Rajan’s ticket was among the dozens we initially called, and he eagerly agreed to meet our discipleship team at a nearby coffee shop.

During the visit, Rajan, who had once been a devout Buddhist monk, shared his powerful story with us. Growing up, he often visited a cemetery in his province, (believed to be for Allied Forces from WWII) finding peace in looking at the crosses there, though he didn’t understand why. This intrigue led him to read a historical book on Christianity, but it left him puzzled.

Years later, desperate for answers, Rajan found a Bible in Bangkok and read it in a single week, only to be frustrated because it simply didn’t make sense to him.

During our main ministry week, Rajan encountered one of our mission teams and received a flyer for our festival. Despite distractions during the first night, he was deeply engaged in the message. He admitted his annoyance at the people talking around him because he was so absorbed. The message and the video about Jesus’ sacrifice moved him profoundly, leading him to eagerly pray with our team and give his heart fully to Jesus. Rajan was so impacted that he returned the following night, where the truths he had sought in the Bible began to make sense.

Our visit with him was incredible. He was utterly absorbed in Lesson 1 of the New Believers’ Lesson Series, soaking up every word. It was inspiring to see him realize he could hear from God directly, understand scripture, and know he didn’t have to earn God’s love or eternal life. His hunger for knowledge and spiritual growth was palpable.

We connected Rajan with one of our partner churches, and he has attended multiple services since. His journey from a devout monk to a new believer in Jesus is a testament to the power of God’s love and His Word. We are grateful to have been part of Rajan’s story and look forward to seeing his faith continue to grow.