Jimmy and Tha

A couple weeks ago Zachariah, Jerome and I (Chris Block) went together to minister to a young Burmese man, Tha, and we were amazed by how the Spirit led us and opened doors during our time together. When we got to Tha’s apartment, his brother Jimmy answered the door. Apparently Tha had gone out for a bit, but Jimmy invited us inside anyway. As we talked, it was apparent to us that this young man was very much a ‘person of peace’, based on how friendly and open he was. 

We also got to hear a little about Jimmy's life while we were there. Apparently he had grown up in a refugee camp in Thailand like most other Burmese refugees here. He was a teacher back home, but here in the states he struggled to continue in education. Since failing his GED exam soon after arriving in the states, he has been spending his days working a minimum wage job 7am-3pm each day and then baby-sitting his brother's daughter Sophia in the evenings. Jimmy lives with his mother, sister, and brother Tha, along with Tha's wife and child.

After hearing Jimmy's story, Jerome shared with him the beatitudes ‎that Jesus taught his disciples. As we were teaching about Jesus, Tha came back home. We introduced ourselves, and he immediately joined in with us to learn about Jesus as well. Jerome began to share his personal testimony – how he had been living for many worldly things and eventually reached a seemingly prospered life. He shared how there came a point where God changed him and revealed to him the inheritance we have in Christ, which is much more valuable than earthly treasures. 

At one point Jimmy said that he doesn't know or understand the Bible well, but he would like to help us translate the Bible to other people for us. This is a huge praise for the team, since the Ranchester team in particular had been looking for Burmese and Karen translators. Overall, we could sense God was moving in both of their hearts and showing them that, while Buddha had a lot of good teachings, he is essentially lifeless and cannot redeem them.

Jimmy and Tha poured us fresh water before we left, and we felt the Lord speaking in that moment that the Spirit was working and moving in their midst. Please join us in praying that our friends, Tha and Jimmy, would encounter Jesus and receive Him with joy.