The Lady at the Tea Shop

“I must go back to the Tea shop lady,” this thought kept pressing me as I asked the Lord who to share the Gospel with that day. I had been witnessing to Rain* who has run a tea shop since I had started language study. But since COVID-19 started last year and given the distance to the store was quite far, I had not gone back. Since many stalls come and go, I was certain that going back a year later she would not be there. But God surprised me again.

I arrived on a quiet afternoon to see Rain doodling in her sketchbook waiting for customers. She instantly remembered me, and we picked up where we left off. Rain is a local University graduate in Bangkok though her parents are from Northern Thailand. She comes from a Buddhist background and hopes one day to become a romantic novelist. Thus, reading, writing, and drawing are her passions. I bought a drink and sat down at the corner of the shop where we began our usual dialogue; how she’s been doing, what I’ve been up to, life matters, etc.

After some time, I asked Rain if she would be interested in hearing a story about God the Creator who created the whole world, including Rain, and loves her. She was open and admitted she knew nothing about the creation story and had only heard about the names Adam and Eve. I went to great lengths sharing about Genesis 3, the fall, and the origins of sin. It took a lot of back and forth to explain the story and answer questions. I’m very glad no other customers came during that time!

Finally, I talked about the Kingdom of God that brings joy, peace, and an eternal life with the Creator that is free from suffering. I asked her, “Do you have happiness in your life?” “I have enough happiness to make it through today’s worries” she replied. Then I shared about how she doesn’t need to struggle through life alone; that Jesus came to bridge the gap between us to God—the perfect sacrifice/merit, that by faith in His sacrifice we could have the Kingdom of God experienced in our lives today. Of course, this was new and a lot for her to take in. I reached into my bag and gave her a leaflet title How to Find Happiness.

Unlike many Thai’s whom I have given tracts to before, Rain did not simply pocket the tract and thank me. She intently read through every page. The tract talks about everything I had already told her in a picture format, designed for young adults. I sat there for 10 minutes while she read in silence. A customer came and she had to put the tract down, but afterwards, she went back to reading.

In the end, I decided it was best to leave and let God. I asked her to consider God’s invitation and that I would try to come back again. She gave me a Thai “wai” farewell and we parted ways.

Pray that God will plant seeds in Rain’s heart and that she will be eager to learn more about who He is.

*pseudonym