The policeman whistled and motioned for us to stop abreast of a broken motorcycle that lay crumpled on the shoulder of the road. On the opposite side almost in the median, four white-clad figures worked feverishly over a shape on the edge of the pavement. Just ahead we could see the rear door of an ambulance standing open. The policeman blew his whistle again and motioned us forward. We drove past the ambulance and a cargo carrier stopped in front of it. Fifty yards ahead on the shoulder of the highway lay a motionless, half-naked body, and beyond was the dark, empty road.
As we drove on into the darkness, my mind mulled over the scene we had just passed. The roads of Thailand are filled with motorcycles. They are the most common conveyance here, allowing passage through crowded city streets and affordable transportation for less affluent people. Every morning, thousands of Thai families mount their cycles—mother, father and children. Frequently, the youngest stands or sits on the gas tank (where they are the most vulnerable in a crash). I am sure everyone expects to reach their destination in good time and return home happily. But every day dozens of them don’t come back. Their mangled bodies end up in a hospital or a refrigerated casket under a white awning somewhere as their families figure out how to cope. Not only must they adjust to the loss, they must also plan and finance an acceptable funeral and make enough merit that their loved one’s spirit can speedily move on to a better life. The horror of Buddhist hell has been graphically portrayed to them since they were infants. The reminders of hellish torment are abundant at every temple.
In this country of 67 million, many may have heard bits about the Christian God, but very few know Him. There are not enough people to tell them. So few Christians are willing to take the time and effort to learn this difficult language and grapple with understanding the Thai worldview. This worldview is so different from our Western perspective that frequently our explanations of God don’t make any sense here. Many who claim to be Christians in this part of Asia still retain a Buddhist worldview.
My mind again played over the scene. One more victory for the enemy as he claimed another victim. One who will likely never have the chance to know that Christ loves them so much that He died for them. One more who has not had the opportunity to know the assurance of an eternal paradise beyond belief. How long will we allow the enemy of souls to operate unopposed in so much of this country? Where are the workers willing to commit their lives to reaching these unreached people? Is God calling you to this task? Is He calling you to help send another worker to the field? If so, don’t delay! Each day, more beautiful Thai people go to Christless graves.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:14, 15).
