His Name Was Billy

By Colleen Grant, CB ‘04 - Thailand

In Nam Kem, Billy was a typical 16 year old. Then he accepted Christ as his Savior. He loved nothing better than spending time with his church family. He was brutally murdered a few days after I arrived. Police are still investigating, and we may never know why.

Even though I never met Billy, I did have the opportunity to be at both the Buddhist and Christian funeral services. His family is Buddhist, but they allowed Billy’s church to have a Christian Home-going celebration. The sadness I felt while the Buddhist monks chanted was overwhelming because of the hopeless ties that bind a Buddhist person in Thailand. I’m sure the family was wondering if he was good enough. “Would he be reborn as a person, or an animal, or even an insect? Were the prayers chanted on his behalf adequate? If we make a spirit house and bring food, will that satisfy his spirit and keep him from haunting us?”

By contrast was the joy and celebration of his Home-going with his brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though Billy is no longer here, his friends KNOW he is with his Savior – not because of any good works he had done or prayers he had chanted, but because they knew that Billy had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. I am so glad that I have that assurance.

I could not be happier that the Lord has asked me to share with the village of Nam Kem. Every day I meet new people and have new opportunities to witness. Pray for us as we prepare for the village-wide Christmas celebration. The Thai people are very curious about Christmas and American culture. This is a great time to share with them the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Yet while we celebrate that joy, December 26th will be the second anniversary of the tsunami. A memorial service to be held will stir up many memories of loved ones lost in this tragedy. Pray for open doors as we share Christ.