Mikala strolled casually into class dropping Tai’s wallet into his lap on her way to her place on the risers. “Thank you. I did not know it was missing.” His happy smile immediately changing to concerned fear as he checked the contents … no money, no house-key. He looked around in consternation, not sure what to do next. Mikala and everyone else in the class had their eyes on him and deep concern filled the room as everyone became aware of his predicament at the same time.
Mikala and Tai went to the office hunting the lost & found and trying to see what else could be done. Just after they left we decided to pray for them. Specifically, we asked God to help them find the money, and in case someone had stolen the money we asked that the person would be unable to stand it, that they would be so convicted that they could not even stand to have the money in their hands and they would just have to confess and turn the money in.
Turns out Tai’s money was supposed to buy a calculator for his cousin. Tai rides the bus to and from school and his house key obviously lets him actually get into his house, his uncle’s house. Tai is here on a school visa, the rest of his family live in Vietnam. He’s a senior at our private Christian school. I had found out recently that his cousin was attending a public high school here in town on a similar visa. Both boys feel that Tai really lucked out at the Christian school because of the treatment that he receives there. The other boy has had a hard time at the public school. Neither of them know anything about Christianity. Their family in Vietnam goes to the temple but they are not religious. Three days ago someone gave Tai his first Bible and it’s in Vietnamese. He was so excited to get it.
Because it was such a beautiful spring day and because we’d already run through our songs we went outside for the rest of the period.
“Tai someone turned in this key at the office. Is it yours?” asked the high school secretary.
“Oh yes, thank you!” Grateful, Tai accepted the key. Mikala started talking to the other students about collecting money to replace the $64 that had been stolen. Everyone was willing and interested in participating.
A few minutes later the secretary returned. The whole choir erupted in hoots and hollers. A lot of rejoicing and backslapping and congratulating went on till the bell rang. Apparently, the same middle school boy that had turned in the key was sitting in class and just began to cry. He came up to the teacher and confessed what he’d done and gave her the money.
Now here’s what’s so cool. Tai knew something about our God because he’s been sitting in chapel and Bible class for over six months. However, there’s been a bit of a language barrier so it’s not been something real and related to him. Then God decides to use these high school students to make His name famous! He sets up a situation that requires prayer, they pray, and then He comes through in a very personal way for a young man who’s already seeing the difference between Christians and non-Christians.
God You Rock! Thank You for giving me an opportunity to participate in making You famous to Tai!
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