Offering Grace in the Midst of Crisis
Read time: 6 minutesIn the early morning of February 10, a man I will call “Bank” broke the front glass door of our main building at The Well, which hosts the Glass of Water church, because he thought we had taken his daughter and wife. We had no idea about where his family might be, but before he destroyed the door, he came to our house around 1 a.m. and yelled a lot of bad words at us about The Well and the church. He was very drunk and shouting enough for the neighbors to hear. Though he mentioned my name, I decided not to go down and talk to him because I knew it would do no good when he was like that. After he broke the glass on the church door, our neighbors who lived on the street called the police, and he was arrested.
Around 6 a.m. that day, I went to the police station to provide a statement about the incident. I told the policemen I wanted to talk to Bank for two reasons. First, I wanted him to know that we did not have any clue where his wife and daughter were. And second, I wanted to give him the option of going to a rehab center. The police told me to come back at 2 p.m. because they needed to wait until Bank was sober.
We know this family because Bank’s wife sold grilled pork on the street near the church a few months ago. Their daughter ran around on the street, and we saw it was unsafe. We let her know her daughter could come inside the church to play safely while her mom worked. We also told her we would care for the girl and give her meals. My wife, Ann, helped the girl take a shower because she hadn’t washed for a few days and wore the same clothes. We also talked to her mother about helping with her education because she had often skipped classes. But before the New Year, the mother took the daughter with her and ran away from this man because he was drunk every day and also used drugs.
I went to the police station that afternoon and met with Bank. I told him we did not hide his daughter and wife, which he said he understood now and apologized. I told him I could see a good part in him and believed he could be a better man and have his family back if he could leave his old life. I told him God loves him and would like to give him a second chance. At that moment, he just cried. I told him that I would look for a rehab center for him to recover his life. He needed to leave his place and this area. He said he would return to be with his dad in the country when he had money. I asked for his phone number and told him when I found the rehab center, I would call him. If he wants to go, I will take him there. If he doesn’t want to go, that is up to him. I prayed for him in front of everyone at the police station.
When I talked to Bank, I didn’t see any aggressive action. He is a small person, broken and lost. The alcohol and drugs change him into another person. Most importantly, I am thankful I could show Bank God’s love and grace, which I am sure no one had ever shown him. People in the neighborhood spoke negatively of him and even cursed him for his background. I do not know whether he will accept the offer to go to the rehab center, and I do not know that he will leave his old life. But I know that on that day, we showed this man God’s grace and love—and offered hope for the future. We let him know that God’s kingdom belongs to him because Jesus also came for him.
This incident reminded me of the “I give you back to God” scene in Les Misérables when the priest forgave Jean Valjean after he stole the silver. Jim and I talked about this scene long ago; I love it so much. I am thankful that God has used us, Nam Nueng Gaew (Glass of Water Church), to be His tool of love for the community.
Update, March 7:
We received the sad and shocking news that Bank died February 29 while he was working at a construction site. I can’t imagine how I would feel now if I had told him to leave us alone and not to come to the church area or if I had not gone to the police station. I would have been very regretful that I had not done anything to show God’s grace, love, and compassion to him. Indeed, people would not be angry with us because he had done wrong and deserved consequences. Even some of my Christian friends thought that way. However, as Christians, we are called to do and act differently, aren’t we? That is why we are trying to imitate Jesus, who has shown us to do the Father’s mission creatively with love and compassion.
One thing God is showing me in this situation is expressed in Psalm 90:12, the prayer of Moses, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” I believe God is stimulating Nam Nueng Gaew church to enter the season of evangelism. The death of Bank reminded me that death is near us. We need God’s wisdom to help us live according to His mission and purpose.
After hearing the news, I began praying for the opportunity to see his wife and daughter to make sure they were well, and their needs were met. I asked a few friends to pray with me, and God answered our prayers quickly. We have been in touch and are taking steps to help ensure the daughter is safe and able to attend school. Her mother has expressed that she would like to attend the church.
Nam Nueng Gaew has been in this community for almost one year, and our strategy is to get to know the community and make ourselves known to them. God has reminded me that He has an excellent plan for this church and is in control. We have a high hope that they will not only see us in their community but also see Jesus, the One who leads us to do such a thing.
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