Breaking the Love Barrier

Thai is not an easy language to learn as a native English speaker, and I imagine native Thai speakers feel the same about English. But this past week, my team and I were blessed to serve at an English camp, where language wasn’t the only thing being exchanged. We also had the opportunity to share the gospel — not just through words, but through presence, patience, and love.

I chose to work with the oldest kids (5th and 6th graders). Many had been to this camp before, so English was more familiar to them, but they were still far from fluent. And even though I had completed six hours of Thai language lessons, I stumbled through basic phrases. Yet we understood each other.

The kids were so sweet to me. Almost every day, one of them would hand me a small gift (snacks, ice cream, even a small stuffed otter), things they had bought with their own money. Knowing even just a little of their heart language — enough to say “good job” or “thank you” — opened the door to trust. I could see the way their eyes lit up when I spoke Thai, even badly.  

They helped me learn more Thai, too. Not through formal teaching, but through giggles when I mispronounced something, by repeating a word slowly until I got it, or pointing and saying the word in Thai. In the same way, we taught them English. It was mutual learning. Mutual grace.

And in that grace, I saw God.

1 Corinthians 13:1- "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." The power of language matters, but love is what truly communicates Christ. "...if I have not love, I am nothing." (Verse 2b). 

• Pray these students continue to remember not just English words, but the love and light of Jesus they encountered this week.
• Pray for the seeds of the gospel planted to take root in their hearts.
• Pray for more workers in Thailand who are willing to embrace discomfort, cross barriers, and share God’s love in both word and deed.