When Faith Found Me: A Story of Healing and Connection

It has always been a challenge for me to be in a new place; whether it’s a new town or a new country. I find it difficult to fit in, communicate with new people, adapt to an unfamiliar environment. The first time I experienced such a transition was in 2016 when I moved to a new city for university. Now, in 2024, after facing unstable circumstances, I had to move to Thailand earlier this year. Thankfully, the transition went smoothly, and I consider it a blessing.

Sometimes, all it takes is one decision, one connection, or one act of kindness to change a life and lead someone closer to God’s purpose.

During these difficult times, I prayed to God and surrendered my life to Him, because I realized that my future is not in my hands. I felt like I was slowly losing my faith. But I continued to hold on to whatever faith was left in my heart and kept communicating with God every day. It wasn't easy for me, especially when I faced with circumstances I had never encountered before. I saw these situations as trials that helped me grow spiritually again at the age of 24. But this time was different. When I felt like I was at the lowest point of my life, my faith was renewed and strengthened once again. I would love to share how this journey has transformed my spiritual life.

Currently, I live near a university called CMRU. I have some acquaintances who are students there. Occasionally, they invite me to have lunch with them at the campus canteen. I went there once or twice, and it made me reflect on my own university life, which was interrupted by various circumstances. There were a lot of local students, and sometimes I saw international students. But one day, something happened that changed my heart and my faith, and probably my life.

One day, an acquaintance texted me to join them for lunch. It was then that I met a friend named Bricen at the canteen. He is a university student from the USA, and he and his friends were in Thailand for their summer break. They were exploring Thai traditions and exchanging culture with Thai students. They were also here as missionary students, spreading the Gospel among Thai student communities.

Through Bricen, I was introduced to another friend named Ethan. We had meaningful conversations about our cultures and how God has worked in our lives. Meeting fellow believers from a completely different environment at an unexpected time was inspiring and uplifting. I now realize that it was entirely part of God’s plan to bring people together under His name.

A week later, Bricen and Ethan invited me to a film festival, and my roommates and I decided to attend. It was amazing to watch short films that were spiritually meaningful. Organized by a Christian community, the festival gave me a chance to connect with other young believers and shared thoughts about the messages in the films. It was there that I met a person named Corey. I shared with him that I am a believer and asked him which church he usually attends on Sundays. That conversation led me to a church called Victory. I had seen Victory Church on Google Maps before Mr. Corey mentioned it, so when he brought it up, the name felt familiar to me. I decided to visit Victory Church the very next week.

From that moment, I can say I found an oasis in my desert. I felt God touch me and bring me to that place to heal me instantly. God had answered my prayers. I met many energetic people at the church, which drew me closer to Jesus and filled my life with blessings I had never felt before. On my first visit, I was delighted to see Bricen and his friends there, also Mr. Corey.

The third time I attended, there was an announcement calling for volunteers at the church. I decided to join the volunteer team, downloaded the volunteer app, and the next week I started serving on the welcome team. Everyone at the church is so welcoming, with smiles on their faces, and I felt drawn to be part of the team. It was also my first time serving at a church, as I had never done so before. The team, led by Pastor Enoch, is welcoming and organized who is very friendly and assigned tasks to the welcoming volunteers. The experience has been incredibly fulfilling.

From that day, I found myself again. I rediscovered the old me—the one with good intentions before COVID-19 and the political struggles. I found my purpose in life, and my faith is now stronger than ever.

It only took one decision—God pushing me to meet new people—to change my life. I felt encouraged to step out, meet new people, change my old mindset, and heal my soul. Meeting Bricen, Ethan, and Mr. Corey was part of God’s plan to heal my soul and bring me closer to Him.

I also realized the importance of the people who made these connections. Whether their actions were big or small, the impact on me was massive. For me, these people were Bricen and Ethan, as well as Mr. Corey, who introduced me to the church. I am blessed by them, and my soul has been saved in Christ once again.

As Matthew 11:28 says:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I came closer to God and asked for healing. He healed me by bringing me to a new place. My prayers were answered through the amazing people I met here in Thailand. God blessed me with the encouragement to do good things for myself and for others. He did not delay in blessing me, and my soul and heart were healed instantly. It has also been a lesson for me to do good things without delay or procrastination.

Later, I was invited to join the Victory Men's group, where I met incredible individuals like Peter, Carey, Roland, Matthew, Leif, Ron, Josh, Jason, Kid, Michael and John, others. Together, we share stories, provide spiritual support, and encourage each other in faith. These experiences have enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined. They are all good listeners, offering spiritual advice that has been incredibly helpful to me.

As I reflect on this chapter of my life, I am deeply moved by the actions of Bricen and Ethan. Their willingness to reach out, share the Gospel, and form genuine connections demonstrates the transformative power of missionary work. They didn’t just share their faith; they created a welcoming environment where I could find healing and rediscover my purpose. This example is a reminder that even small acts of kindness and connection can have an immeasurable impact on someone’s spiritual journey. Sometimes, all it takes is one decision, one connection, or one act of kindness to change a life and lead someone closer to God’s purpose.

Our actions can bring to life the wisdom of Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Through our faith, we can sharpen each other , encouraging us to grow spiritually and find our way back to God. Bricen, Ethan and people that I met at the church exemplified what it means to be Christlike—supporting and uplifting others not through grand gestures, but through consistent love, faith, and presence. This verse also serves as a reminder to all of us that we are called to support one another in our faith journeys.

As I look back, I realize that God often uses people to answer our prayers and guide us through challenging times. In our lives, each of us has the potential to be that blessing for someone else. By living with compassion, faith, and an openness to serve, we allow God to work through us in ways we may not immediately see. Whether through small acts of kindness, sharing the Word of God, or simply being present for someone in need, we can be vessels of His love and grace, transforming lives and glorifying His name.