A few days ago Jonty asked me why we can't go back to "Africa". I explained that our work is here in Thailand. I told him that most people in South Africa know about Jesus, but that most Thai people have not heard about Jesus. I told him that God has called us to work here so we must be obedient.
Yesterday morning, as I was leaving for Kids Club... Jonty was nowhere to be found. Just as I was driving out, Jonty came pedalling up on his bike, calling out that he wanted to come too.
In the car he told me that he'd been to visit Ben. Ben is a boy who lives in our neighbourhood during his holidays. He is 12 years old, his mom is Thai, his dad is American. In the past he has been very sweet to Jonty, and Jonty was very excited when he found out that Ben was "home" for December.
But!
Jonty told me that he'd asked Ben if he believed in Jesus and Ben said no, so Jonty told him that in that case he was going to hell. He proceeded to inform Ben that hell is a terrible place with lots of fire and bad people. Ben said it sounded horrible, but that he did not believe that he was going to hell. He said that he is a good boy, that he goes to the temple often, makes lots of merit, so he's sure he's going to heaven. Jonty told Ben that that was not good enough. He went on to say that Ben should believe in Jesus because Jesus is powerful and can heal the sick (evidenced by Jonty's healed chin) and raise people from the dead. Ben said that he was not a Christian and was not interested.
I think it was at this point that Jonty left, telling Ben that he would not come back to play until Ben had accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Phew! Work to do...
Jonty and I had a long talk. I asked him what was the most important thing about God - Jonty said that he made us and loves us and wants us to love him ... I said it might be better if he tells others THIS first, rather than telling them they are going to hell. I asked Jonty if he'd like it if someone told him that he was going to hell ... he said no. We discussed that no-one really likes to be told this. We also talked about the fact that we follow Jesus because we LOVE him, not out of FEAR of HELL!
Jonty is very spiritually aware, so even though he's not quite five, he grasped it all. As soon as we got back from Kids Club he hopped on his bike and went to tell Ben that he's sorry about the way he spoke to him. He told him that Jesus made him and loves him. And he told Ben that they can still be friends even if they believe different things. Apparently Ben (in true Thai style) said "that's OK" and now they're friends again.
At supper-time I happened to ask Jonty why he decided to tell Ben about Jesus. Jonty said that he wants to tell as many people as he can about Jesus "so that we can go home to Africa". He said we should all do that. We should, indeed! Somehow Revelation 22:20 and 21 came to mind:
"The one who is testifying to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints .... (and especially with the missionary's kids!)
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