Trusting the Guiding Hand of God

His wifes arms wrap tightly around Baharns waistpeople have accepted Christ as their Savior.
as he slows to a smooth stop. Pastor BaharnThe curiosity of villagers outside of the church is
smiles, picturing his lovely Vidura, perched upcontinuing to build. Vidura leads a group of children
behind him, on her little, black motorcycle seat. Hethrough Bible study every afternoon, and this
knows she takes a leap of faith each time shegroup is steadily growing. For one thing, the
climbs aboard, she has scolded him repeatedly forchildren are so excited about the Bible lessons
taking things too fast.that they are sharing them with their friends.
But then Baharn, too, knows what it means toMoreover, as the children accept Jesus, their
live by faith, he is putting a lot of it in his wifebehavior dramatically improves. Neighbors are
right now. After all, where would a blind man benoticing the changes and tell Baharn they too
without his faithful navigator to guide him?want their children enrolled in these classes.
Silencing the skepticsQuestioned existence
When Baharn applied to be a church planter, heBaharn is currently facing one of the greatest
was not without his skeptics. Baharn has a limitedchallenges he has ever had in his ministry. In
ability to see things directly in front of him, but heThailand, each citizen is given an identification card
is completely without peripheral vision. Biblethat not only proves his residence, but also his
League trainers wondered how he would be ableexistence. In order to buy, sell, travel, or own
to perform some of the most basic functions asanything, you must have this card. Without an ID
a pastor, getting around his Thailand village,card, you can do nothing.
processing his training material, even reading theRecently, Baharns ID card was stolen, and the
Bible!village chief has alleged that Baharn sold it to the
But Baharn knew, and he passionately convincedpeople of Laos. Ironically, the card was stolen by
the doubters, that God had called him to be aa local government official and was sold to a
pastor. If his Creator had a purpose for Baharnsfamily within the village. Since Baharn has no
life, who was he to question? God would workevidence to prove his case, it is literally his word
out the details.against that of the official.
Growing curiosityLeading the way
Over the past three years, God has used BaharnThrough it all, Baharn continues to trust in God. He
and his wife to make a tremendous impact onknows that he has a mission here on earth, and
their predominately Buddhist village. More thanthat is to bring more people to Christ. In fact, his
92percent of Thailands population claims this asgoal is to establish an evangelical church in a village
their religion. Just over a year ago, he begannearby. But first he must find workers willing to
leading Bible studies and forming a worshippinggo, there is no Christian presence in that village.
congregation in one of the most unlikely ofBaharn continually prays for strength and asks
locations. Baharns church stands directly facing aGod to lead him every step of the way. His only
large Buddhist temple and monastery.desire is to be where God wants him to be. After
Across the street, villagers tirelessly seek lifesall, where would a blind man be without his faithful
meaning, while his congregation is finding it in JesusNavigator to guide him?
Christ. Under Baharns leadership, more than 60