In early May 1973, I stepped off of an Air Force C-141 — and into another world: Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, only a few miles from the Mekong River.
I’ll never forget my first “bus” ride to the little town of NKP — more like the hell-bound train! The driver sat to one side of his seat to make room for Buddha!
When I stepped off the bus, it was as if I was stepping off a time machine 2000 years in the past! There I was assailed by prostitutes; the infirmed were lying on mats begging just as in Christ’s time; I even encountered a demonized man who approached me, pinned something onto my shirt, then proceeded to present details about my family he could not possibly have known. (I rebuked him in Jesus’ Name, he removed what he’d pinned on me — and promptly departed!)
As I walked slowly down the dusty streets of NKP, observing the lost condition of multiple hundreds of Southeast Asian people, I wondered, “How could I reach these people for Christ?” It was something of the feeling the first-century Christians must have had as they pondered the Great Commission.
Christ’s commission to the first disciples hasn’t been rescinded! The Lord would have us represent Him to our world and the sphere of influence He has placed each of us in. Learn how to share the gospel then get with His program while there is still time to do so.