Monthly visit to fellow brother in Christ in Bangkok prison
Every time I visit “Jan” – a fellow South African who is in prison in Bangkok, God reminds me that it does not matter who or where you are, but the ONLY thing that matters is whether you are a true follower of Jesus Christ or not? Have you REALLY come to salvation yet? Are you a disciple or not?
While living under very difficult and different circumstances, God is using “Jan” to build His Kingdom within the prison in an amazing indescribable way. Yes I know we serve a Mighty God, the ONLY TRUE LIVING GOD, and by just sitting with “Jan” and hear the Holy Spirit speak through “Jan” is indescribable. We serve an amazing God.
In “this world” - “Jan” committed a crime. He knew what he was doing and the risk involved . . . he was caught, he pleaded guilty, gave his full cooperation to the authorities and accepted his punishment of 21 years of imprisonment here.
As “Jan” says in he’s own words: “I am here now, but God is with me and I am with God.” “Jan” is a third year student in Theology.
With limited resource material that he is allowed access to, God is using “Jan” to build His Church inside a Buddhist prison. Hearing the testimonies “Jan” shares with me, I cannot help to think that with so much freedom I have in “my world”, so many resources I have available to me in comparison to “Jan’s world”, I need to be still and search my heart once again regarding my obedience, discipline and commitment to my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
As “Jan” says in he’s own words: “I am here now, but God is with me and I am with God.” “Jan” is a third year student in Theology.
With limited resource material that he is allowed access to, God is using “Jan” to build His Church inside a Buddhist prison. Hearing the testimonies “Jan” shares with me, I cannot help to think that with so much freedom I have in “my world”, so many resources I have available to me in comparison to “Jan’s world”, I need to be still and search my heart once again regarding my obedience, discipline and commitment to my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Jan” says that God spoke to him and gave him a new name - JOSEPH. So appropriate, so spot on. “Jan” is a hero in my eyes. I look up to him.
He is my brother in Christ and as long as God wants me to travel 1200km every month to visit “Jan” for the allowed-20minute slot, I will not question or doubt the effort.
In fact, I look so much forward in seeing him again in a few weeks time.
He is my brother in Christ and as long as God wants me to travel 1200km every month to visit “Jan” for the allowed-20minute slot, I will not question or doubt the effort.
In fact, I look so much forward in seeing him again in a few weeks time.
Andre Olivier (13 May 2015)
