From Tears to Testimony: How God Led Namsai to ZOE
“Hello, my name is Namsai, and I am from Ubon Ratchathani Province. I’m a student in ZOE Leadership Training (ZLT), a program where I’ll be equipped for success in life and ministry and learn many things like: leadership principles, biblical character, English with cross cultural awareness for career enhancement, and instruction in Bible, Business, Vocation, and Technology.
I grew up in a Christian family and attended church regularly, just like many other Christians. However, I had my first personal encounter with God when I was 14 years old during a youth camp worship session. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming urge to cry. At that moment, I prayed, “God, if You are real, please speak to me through someone.”
Shortly afterward, one of the camp leaders approached me and said, “God will wipe away every tear from your eyes.” At the time, I did not understand what he meant. During that same camp, I also prayed that I would one day be able to serve God on a worship team at a youth camp.
When I was 16, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, and my father was sent to prison. During that season, I had to become the main support for my family while also taking care of my younger brother. It was one of the most painful times of my life. My relationship with my father was not good because he often drank alcohol and spoke harshly without considering other people’s feelings.
After my mother passed away, I searched for love and comfort in the wrong places. Eventually, I entered a relationship, but sadly, my boyfriend was later diagnosed with cancer and passed away as well. Losing two of the people I loved most was devastating. I could not sleep in the dark because every time I turned off the lights, memories of them would fill my mind.
During that difficult season, a woman from my church volunteered to stay with me at night. Normally, she could not sleep with the lights on, but she willingly did so just to help me rest peacefully. It was then that I finally understood what the camp leader had said years before. Through that situation, I experienced God wiping away my tears. God showed me that true love comes from Him and is often expressed through the people He places around us.
At the age of 17, I had the opportunity to serve with a team that organized youth camps. God answered the prayer I had made when I was 14.
As I grew closer to God, I attended another youth camp in Northern Thailand. During one session, a speaker apologized on behalf of fathers who had failed their children. I broke down in tears. In that moment, God began changing my heart toward my own father. I started to recognize his good intentions and the sacrifices he had tried to make for our family. I opened my heart to him, and today our relationship has been restored.
I first heard about ZOE through a friend who attended a camp organized by my ministry team. That friend shared a post from the ZOE Life Facebook page announcing student applications. At that time, I was planning to study somewhere else, but the post caught my attention. I prayed and asked God to reveal where He wanted me to study. I also remembered telling my mother once that I wanted to study the Bible.
Not long afterward, I came to Chiang Mai to help organize another camp and met a friend who is now my classmate at ZOE who encouraged me to apply.
However, less than a month after submitting my application, my father suffered a serious accident while cooking. He fell and was burned by hot water on 15% of his body. As a result, he was unable to work and earn an income. It became a very difficult decision for me to leave home and study. I prayed for God’s provision, and He answered. God provided a sponsor who covered my tuition fees for 2 years of study. This strengthened my confidence that God had truly called me here.
Since coming to ZOE, I have had more opportunities to spend time with God, and it has been such a blessing. My life has always been busy and full of responsibilities, but here I have been able to rest and focus on Him. I have met friends of different ages and even reconnected with people I knew from previous camps, which helped me feel comfortable and welcomed.
As an introvert, ZOE has also helped me become more social. God has given me greater confidence to speak and express myself. He has also helped me adapt to living in a community, something I had never experienced before.
My goal is to learn how to focus on God and find true rest in Him. In the future, I hope to become a businesswoman support Christian ministries through my work. I also have a heart for serving in the children’s and youth ministry.
Thank you, and God bless you.”
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