by Sue Danneker, an Alliance international worker serving in Thailand
“I want my grandparents to know Jesus like you do, Auntie Nun,” said Nong Baw, a second grader who was perched on the barber’s chair in our friend Nun’s hair salon.
Nun had hosted our small group and Saturday Kids’ Club in her shop for more than a year. These ministries were moved to our newly renovated ministry center in March. But the neighborhood children still enjoy visiting Nun, whom they affectionately call “Auntie.” My husband, Ed, and I met her during our sixth prayer walk in this city almost two years ago when, on a whim, I stopped in her salon for a haircut. A friendship developed that eventually led her to accept Christ.
Nong Baw went on to tell Nun his concern for his grandparents, who have raised him since his parents split up when he was very young. “They’re having a lot of problems with their health and are not happy like you.”
Nong Baw continued, “Before, my grandfather did not want me to attend the Saturday Kids’ Club. He told me the foreigner [Sue] is washing my brain. But how can that be? My brain is inside my head. Teacher Sue could not get anything in there to wash it. Besides, even when you wipe a mirror with a sponge, it is still not perfectly clean. I don’t think someone can wash your brain.
“So, I decided to keep attending Kids’ Club. My grandfather even tried giving me money if I would not attend. But after a few weeks, I decided I wanted to [go to the club] more than get the extra money.”
Nong Baw has attended the Kids’ Club for more than a year. Recently, his grandparents have encouraged him to go and even to attend Sunday service with Auntie Nun. His grandmother has come to our cell group several times.
Nong Baw prays daily and sees God answer. He often has a word of praise to share with the other children. But the most powerful testimony in his young life has been the love Auntie Nun shows him and all the neighborhood children.
Nong Baw asked Nun to talk to his grandfather about Jesus, and she has. Pray that the boy’s grandparents will come to faith in Jesus.
