During my quarantine, the streets of Phuket have been eerily quiet with many businesses shuttered, even Starbucks. On Thai TV, I have been watching Thai youth staging almost daily riots in Bangkok to protest the failing economy and perceived mishandling of the COVID pandemic, plus lack of vaccines. My informal chats with taxi drivers and business people here has made me realize just how desperate things are for the majority of Thai. The most telling thing I’ve read so far is this quote from the Bangkok Post, “The Thai government is in a bind, having to choose between saving lives and protecting Thai’s livelihoods.”

Jesus once asked his disciples, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). Jesus was concerned for the shalom of the whole person, but put His stress on the spiritual condition of each person and the value of each eternal soul.

Do pray that world governments will have wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and seek to protect their citizens and as you do, pray that the Christian workers and churches would use this unprecedented opportunity to share the Good News concerning Jesus.”