In my teaching time yesterday I spent some time helping them learn how to clearly tell their own story of how God’s grace has changed their lives. Like I’ve said at Community, we may not have all the answers, but we can speak about our own experience with Jesus.

I asked Christopher ahead of time if it would be a good thing to have a few of them share their stories after I walked them through the format. He said it will be very good. It was!

Seven different people shared. Each was unique, although there were some common themes. All had been Buddhist at some point. Three of the men had even been Buddhist monks for as many as six years.

Someone was able to interpret for me as they shared so I’d know what was going on. I’m so glad he did. More than once I was on the verge of tears. It was powerful stuff to be sure.

One of the best lines of the day was from one of the men who had been a monk. He said, “When I met Jesus, I realized that all my days as a Buddhist were a waste of time. This book (Bible) is the truth!” 

Another man and his wife shared together. Each gave their own story, and it was powerful. He admitted to being, as a Buddhist, a very angry person with a bad temper before Jesus got ahold of his heart. Now they both serve and lead their church. Wow.

Christopher later filled me in on even more details. One of the men who shared his story used to be a very high ranking member of the Khmer Rouge army. Very high. His story and others like it keep reaffirming the powerful grace of Jesus. Once killers of well more than two million people, now these people, transformed by Christ, are passing that grace on to the next generation!