“Soi, would you be willing to help us? We have a plan to feed the homeless, but we can’t speak Thai well enough.”

“Wow! Could I really be Jesus’ hands and feet?” Soimook exclaimed.

Raised in a dysfunctional family and haunted by a deep sense of hopelessness, this beautiful 17-year-old Thai high school student came to a decision: she would either find meaning in life or end her life. When God led her classmate Andru (our pastor’s son) into her path, she was open to his invitation to come to Peace Music Academy and study music. At our music school and Adventist church she found friendship, fellowship, meaning and purpose. She accepted an offer to study the Bible, and her quick mind grasped the biblical truths she was hearing for the first time. Hope for a future with Jesus began to grow in her heart. A new worldview was taking shape in her mind. In November 2018, she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Soimook’s contagious smile and beautiful singing voice now enrich our church family. With her new sense of belonging and being part of the mission fellowship, she has caught a passion for the hurting people around her. When several Filipino teachers were inspired by last quarter’s Sabbath School lessons and began what has become a growing ministry “The Least of These,” Soimook was a natural fit. In recent months they have been taking food and other essential personal items to homeless and destitute people in our city. It is a small beginning, but Soimook is excited to be the Thai voice and smile for our compassionate team.

A couple of Sabbaths ago after our fellowship meal, Soimook sat down beside me. “Grandma,” she said, “I have been thinking and praying since we talked last week, and I believe that Jesus has given me a new plan to help other young people who are struggling like I did for so long.”

To be continued.

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