“If I had gotten that job, then I would not have come here,” Gradit said thoughtfully.

My mind went back to the first night she and her mother had come to our small group. The front garage-like door was up halfway, and most of us sat in a circle on a large grass mat. They were a bit hesitant at first, but as they neared the door, it was clear they believed they had come to the right place. Ricardo and I looked at each other, wondering, “Do you know who they are?”

Gradit’s mom explained that they had met Ajahn Suporn, our language and culture helper, almost five months earlier, and she had invited them to come to our small group, telling them that we gathered for conversational English practice for those who wanted it, followed by singing, snacks and a story from the Bible. They had lost Ajahn Suporn’s number but remembered hearing our place was near the evening market. After driving around the area, they had finally found us.

Gradit had applied with an agency to do a short-term work stint in the United States, but she had not passed the interview. Now she was looking for places to practice her English. Little did she know, our student missionary, Jessica, had been praying for God to lead her to a person with whom she could build a meaningful friendship. Since that time, Jessica and Gradit have spent several hours a week together, and Gradit continues to attend our small group. She is currently preparing for another interview, and Ricardo shared his favorite Bible verse with her, Jeremiah 29:11, along with his belief that God has a good plan for her, and that whatever happens, He will work it out. That is when she commented that if she had been hired for the first job, she wouldn’t have come to our small group. We know that the One who brought her to us is able to bring her to Himself.

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