‘God opened a way for me’

Sar-at Pleetangkai: a heart problem opened the way for him to become a Bible student
n Sar-at Pleetangkai's heart problem opened the way for him to become a Bible student
The first of two testimonies from Thailand’s flourishing Bible schools
“The part of the Bible which has made the greatest impression on me is Matthew 6:5-33 [where Jesus teaches about prayer].”
MAE SARIANG, Thailand — Sar-at Pleetangkai comes from a village northeast of Mae Sariang. At the moment he is studying at Mae Sariang Bible school.

“When I was born my family were not Christians,” he says. “They became Christians when I was very young. The first to believe was my grandfather. Though my family were Christians, I did not understand at first about being ‘born again’.

Lord and Saviour

“I received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour in May 1996, at a youth camp. Before that I smoked and drank all the time. I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help it.

“After that I had the desire to understand the Word and spend time with people who could help me understand God’s message.”

Although he could read both Lawa, a local minority language, and Thai, he still found the Bible hard to understand.

Time to understand

“Four years ago my wife and I agreed that I could take some time out to understand the Word of God. Even though it was a busy time in our fields, we both felt it was very important that I understand the Word of God.

“After I had studied the Word of God for one term (two months), I was nominated as an elder in our church. At that time my studies were all in the Thai language and when I returned home I had to translate everything I had learned into Lawa as the people in my local church didn’t understand Thai. Many people in the village understand the Scriptures now but I want to continue instructing them in the Word. My wife still doesn’t know how to read yet. She is attending a literacy class.

“After I had studied for the first term I didn’t have the chance to continue as I couldn’t afford it. But God opened a way for me by allowing me to have a physical weakness – a heart problem.

“Since I was not able to work very hard in the fields, I took the opportunity to study the Word. Even though I did not have much money, I felt God wanted me to come here. He gave me the strength and the wisdom to do so.

“The part of the Bible which has made the greatest impression on me is Matthew 6:5-33 [where Jesus teaches about prayer]. Another is 1 Peter 5:7 [NIV] which says, ‘Cast all your anxiety on him.’” (WR 363/12 - 10.01) [PHOTOS]