The Woman Who Died—And Lived Again

The Woman Who Died—And Lived Again

Mar 31, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

Six Lao believers and twelve Isaan believers went out to share their faith in unchurched villages.

Over and over, they heard the same response:

“*Nangta? Everyone knows her, but she died last year.”

But Nangta didn’t die.

She was once a well-known spirit medium, sought after by villagers for deliverance from demons, physical healing, and blessings in times of trouble. People came from across the district to seek her help, paying for rituals in hopes of securing favor from the spirit world. Yet, like many spirit priests and mediums, Nangta suffered from persistent illness. The spirits she served demanded much. Their toll on her body was heavy and she became gravely ill.

Believing she was nearing death, Nangta had an unexpected encounter. Believers from a house church—one started by our co-worker, *Pastor Mee—visited her village. Rather than inviting people to a distant church building, these Christians engaged in spiritual conversations right where people lived and worked. Nangta heard the gospel in her own home. That day, she made a life-changing decision—she accepted Jesus, renounced her ties to the spirit world, and was miraculously healed. Soon after, a church was planted in her home.

When Nangta heard that Lao believers would be visiting in January, she eagerly opened her doors to host them during the three-day outreach. Mats were laid out, and everyone camped in her home. As pairs of believers ventured into nearby villages searching for “persons of peace,” they repeatedly asked, “Have you heard of a spirit medium named Nangta?”

Each time, the response was the same: “Of course! But she’s dead.”

It made sense. Nangta had been widely known, and when she stopped performing spirit rituals, everyone assumed she had passed away. But during the outreach, her testimony of healing and deliverance spread from house to house, leaving villagers amazed.

At the end of the first day, as the teams debriefed, Nangta laughed.

“They’re right—I did die! I died to myself, and now I live for Jesus.”

Her face radiated with the joy of the Lord.

By the end of the outreach, 172 people had engaged in conversations about Jesus, and 33 expressed a desire to follow Him. Follow-up visits are now underway, and time will reveal who is truly committed. But one man, *Mr. Tongdee, stood out.

The very night he was first contacted, he attended a house church meeting at Nangta’s home. During worship, he listened intently, and at one point, tears streamed down his face. Just days later, he reached out to local believers—asking for help to destroy his Buddhist and spiritist paraphernalia.

A new chapter has begun in these villages. And it all started with a woman whom everyone thought was dead—yet is more alive than ever in Christ.

Here are some ways we can pray for the people in this village:

  • Pray many people will come to Nangta’s home asking to hear more about how she left her old life and found new life in Jesus.
  • Pray that believers who meet in Nangta’s home will grow in grace and obedience to Jesus. Pray for the follow-up with the 33 new contacts and that at least one new house church will be birthed.
  • Pray Tongdee and others in his village will be obedient to the Lord as they go through lessons for new disciples. Ask that Tongdee’s entire household will come to love and serve Jesus.

*pseudonym

RELATED STORIES

I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS
Lotus flowers dotted the beautiful pond – the perfect setting for a simple baptism in eastern Thailand. Buddhist-background Pastor Mii declared in Thai, read more …

ORDINARY PEOPLE MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS
When Peter and John addressed the Sanhedrin after Jesus’ resurrection, the assembly marveled at their read more …

LEARN ABOUT OUT WORK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
There are 235+ million people in Southeast Asia. The region is complex, with numerous languages, ethnicities, and variations on religion … learn more

Thaipusam Observed

Thaipusam Observed

Feb 5, 2025 | Festivals and Holidays, South East Asia

Thaipusam is an Indian festival originating from southern India, celebrated exclusively by the Tamil people. This year it will be observed on February 8.

Within minutes of Frank and his team mates witnessing the event, it became undeniably clear that those who consider themselves devoted followers of these Hindu gods are wholly committed—body, mind, and soul.

This festival demands extreme acts of devotion. Participants pierce their bodies with needles, hooks, or even small jugs of milk, while others carry enormous burdens—such as intricately decorated chariots or gallon-sized containers of milk—on a grueling two-mile trek uphill. This particular Thaipusum journey started at a Hindu temple at the base of a mountain to another at the summit, where offerings were made to specific idols. All this took place in the midst of the sweltering Southeast Asian heat and the throngs of thousands making the ascent together.

Frank and his teammates arrived in the midst of it all, determined to witness the spectacle firsthand and pray for every soul they encountered. The oppressive heat bore down on them, leaving them drenched in sweat and eventually with sunburns that lingered for days. After two exhausting hours, they finally reached the temple at the top.

Inside, the air pulsed with the sound of lively Indian music, yet the atmosphere was oppressive. People offered their life savings to the idols, while those who had pierced their bodies as acts of sacrifice stood motionless while the objects were carefully removed. Hundreds—perhaps thousands—of gallons of milk were poured over the golden and bronze statues, a sacred offering, given the holiness of cows in Hindu tradition.

Despite the intensity of the rituals, something was strikingly absent—joy. No one smiled. No one looked fulfilled. Instead, a heavy darkness seemed to overshadow everything, an unsettling oppressive presence. Amidst all the devotion, pain, and sacrifice, Frank and his teammates saw no peace or sense of hope. It all seemed tragically empty.

Yet, as Frank observed, he couldn’t ignore one undeniable truth: These worshippers, while far from knowing the one true God, willingly sacrificed everything in their desperate search for divine connection. Their faith—though misplaced—was real to them, shaping their actions and defining their lives.

Many participate in Thaipusam out of deep religious obligation, ancestral ties, or fear of displeasing the gods. Pray that Jesus would break any spiritual chains holding them back from experiencing freedom in Jesus. Pray that those participating in this festival would come to understand that Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice for them, and they do not need to endure suffering to earn divine favor.

 

OTHER HINDU HOLIDAYS

SHARING THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH HINDUS
All over the world Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Newar Buddhists will light oil lamps and place them in their homes and businesses to invite the Goddess of Prosperity, read more …

DUSSEHRA
Different parts of India celebrate Dussehra in different ways. Scenes from Rama’s life might be enacted, grand processions may take place or effigies of Ravana burned. read more …

RAKHSHA BANDHAN
Rakhsha Bandhan is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters or unrelated persons with a similar familial bond. read more …

Village Revival

Village Revival

Jan 29, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

*Malai grew up in a small village in Isaan, Eastern Thailand, but later moved to the larger city of Chiang Mai, where she found work with a Christian ministry. During her time there, Malai came to personally understand the gospel and made a life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ. Though she shared her new faith privately with her family on visits home, she kept a low profile, and her family members who believed did so in secret. Given the lack of churches and other believers in the area, Malai worried about the social challenges that Christians who openly practice their faith might face in her village.

However, when Malai returned to her village for an extended period after her mother’s passing, she was encouraged to meet a few neighbors who had also become followers of Jesus. These neighbors even hosted worship and Bible study gatherings in their homes. Inspired, Malai decided not to return to Chiang Mai. Instead, she embraced her village community, regularly visiting neighbors, leading others to Christ, and nurturing new believers in their faith. Now, rather than remaining secret believers, Malai and others are learning to live out a simple, authentic faith that invites others to follow Jesus openly.

*Atid also grew up in a small Thai village, a 15 minute bike ride from the village Malai had grown up in. But like many others, he eventually left for Bangkok to build a career. One day Atid found a Christian tract on the ground, at the time his sister lay dying in hospital. Atid decided to pray to the God (Jesus) the tract  spoke of—he prayed that the Lord would heal his sister. He vowed that if God healed his sister, he would visit a church ten times. Miraculously and without medical explanation his prayer was answered! His sister recovered from her illness.

Atid panicked because he could not remember exactly how many times he had promised to attend church. He did, however, want to keep the promise he had made to God. After his second time attending church, he knew the message about Jesus was true and he prayed to receive Jesus as Lord. Atid embraced his new faith, found a church in Bangkok, and even met his wife there. When he and his wife returned to his village years later, he brought his faith in Jesus with him.

Atid’s return aligned perfectly with discipleship training that missionaries were introducing in his area. In a village where most people were Buddhists and churches were nonexistent, Atid’s desire to share his faith inspired him to use his home for simple gatherings. Gradually, other families in the village began praying and reading the Bible in their own homes as well.

When Malai returned to her village, she was encouraged by the gatherings Atid had already started. *Manop, one of the men Atid had discipled to the Lord, had helped Malai while she was grieving for her mom. Malai was so moved by Manop’s kindness and support that she began leading others to faith and opened her home for Bible study and worship. Her involvement brought many women into discipleship, and together, she and Atid are now fostering a growing community of believers in the village, transforming it from the inside out.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

BUDDHIST WOMAN HEALED OF CANCER
*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

A TRIUMPH OVER BLACK MAGIC
*Narong and *Junta were deeply immersed in the occult practices and folk Buddhism of Thailand when they encountered read more

Could a Flat Tire be a Divine Appointment?

Could a Flat Tire be a Divine Appointment?

Dec 26, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

*Mulamdon and *Maht had been thriving as disciples under the guidance of *Chai and *Nong for several months within the comforting setting of their house church. Among the fresh faces soaking in the teachings of Jesus and Bible stories was their daughter-in-law, *Tik. 

After attending the small house church for several weeks, Tik had to suddenly leave. Her father fell ill in a village some distance away. Without hesitation, Tik, her husband and their young daughter relocated to her dad’s village so they could help with his recovery. Everyone in the group was sad to see Tik leave, just as she was beginning to truly understand what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus.

Yet, amid the trials of life, unexpected blessings often emerge. Mulamdon and Maht decided to visit Tik and her ailing father in the hopes of not just showing support for Tik,  but also praying for her family. 

On the way there, one of the tires on their motorbike went flat. Eager to get to Tik’s and her dad’s house before sundown, they reached out to Chai for assistance. 

Thankfully Chai was able to help, and all three of them arrived at Tik’s house shortly before sunset. This meant they would have to spend  the night with Tik’s family. What transpired was an evening of profound connection, even divine appointment, as Chai’s seasoned wisdom complemented the earnest efforts of Tik, Mulamdon, and Maht in sharing their faith. Tik’s extended family found the collective testimony fascinating and showed genuine interest in the Bible stories that were shared. They became eager to learn more about Jesus.

Reflecting on the evening’s events, Mulamdon remarked, “It is amazing how God can take a  flat tire and turn it into something good!”  He hasn’t yet made it to Romans 8:28 in his Bible learning, but he is eager to get there!

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

BUDDHIST WOMAN HEALED OF CANCER
*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS
Buddhist-background Pastor Mii declared in Thai, “Today I have the privilege to reciprocate blessing upon a …  read more

A Triumph Over Black Magic

A Triumph Over Black Magic

Nov 13, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

*Narong and *Junta were deeply immersed in the occult practices and folk Buddhism of Thailand when they encountered Jesus and became His disciples.

Narong, in particular, embraced his newfound faith with joy, actively sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ through acts of kindness, personal testimony, and the simple teachings of Jesus.

In Thailand, new disciples of Jesus typically do not face the physical threats and persecution that are common in neighboring communist or Muslim countries. However, a surprising and unsettling threat began to loom over Narong and Junta’s family. Junta fell victim to a mysterious and debilitating illness that grew progressively worse.

Despite multiple blood tests, doctors were baffled by her condition. As Junta’s health deteriorated, the family was forced to make significant adjustments, including changes in their living situation, finances, and ministry. Eventually, her condition became so severe that the church gathered to pray for her, seeking relief from her pain and for her heart to be prepared for what seemed like an imminent death.

During this time of prayer, the wife of their movement catalyst discerned that Junta had been cursed by another woman who sought to take Narong as her husband. Upon investigation, they discovered this to be true. Despite Narong and Junta having been married for over ten years and blessed with two healthy daughters, a well-known shaman had been enlisted by the woman to curse Junta to death.

Narong’s kindness had attracted many spiritually hungry people, but it had also drawn the attention of enemies of Christ, leading to this targeted attack through black magic.

After this revelation, the movement catalyst and his wife led the family in a dedicated season of prayer and fasting. Today, Junta has made a full recovery, and her testimony has become a powerful source of encouragement within the movement, offering hope to those who fear the power of black magic. Narong and Junta’s two daughters have since grown into bold, articulate young leaders within this rapidly expanding movement.

Please pray for their continued witness to the spiritually hungry people they encounter.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

BUDDHIST WOMAN HEALED OF CANCER
*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS
Buddhist-background Pastor Mii declared in Thai, “Today I have the privilege to reciprocate blessing upon a …  read more