God Opened Wichit’s Eyes in Thailand

You could say Filter of Hope was created for partners like Pai.

In 2022, Filter of Hope began a partnership with Pai Wong in Thailand. Pai is the pastor of the Sprout Church in Chiang Mai and also a staff member with Cru Church Global Movements. In addition to leading a group of Sprout churches in the city, Pai was seeking to start churches in many villages in the mountains of northern Thailand. 

When Pai and his wife, Mooh, first saw the first demonstrated, they were excited and ready to join in. Mooh said, “People in the mountains think their water is clean because it comes from the mountains. But the water is making them sick.

Pai agreed. “We think many village headmen will welcome us into their villages with the water filters bringing clean water.”

The filters swing the door open to talk to Thais about Jesus.

Bringing people to Jesus in Thailand isn’t child’s play. Spiritual warfare is real. Resistance to the gospel can take the form of Buddhism, Animism, Spiritism—you-name-it-ism. And sometimes alcohol and drugs.

Pai Wong knows this all too well. But he loves telling people about Jesus. And he loves using a water filter to do it. 

Still, in Thailand, you need more than just a good illustration. You need God to work—and change hearts. And maybe do a miracle, too.

Deun and the Filter Distribution

Recently, a woman named Deun set up a filter distribution in the village of Maetang and surrounding areas. “There are six villages near Maetang and now 80 filters have been placed in homes in three of the villages.”

Pai (right) with Deun and her husband, Jummong.

One of those homes belonged to Nok and Wichit. Wichit is a wildlife manager for the government in this area and pays particular attention to the trees and forests. 

Nok and Wichit’s mother are Christians, but Wichit was not interested in Jesus or church at all. Instead he chose to abuse his body with alcohol and drugs on a regular basis. 

It’s Time to Call Pai

Deun knows Pai well and thought it would be best for him to talk to Deun. So Pai made the hour and a half drive from Chiang Mai to Maetang with many prayers from Deun, Nok, Wichit’s mother, and Pai.

When Pai arrived he found that Wichit was having eye problems. “Wichit thought that a particle from a leaf or tree had found its way into his eye and he was in much pain. He had missed three days of work. So I first prayed for Wichit’s healing.”

Wichit said he immediately felt some relief. Pai now had an open door to share his favorite message.

The Gospel in Thai

“I told Wichit that the dirty water is like the sin in our lives and it makes us sick. Everyone in Thailand knows that we get sick when we drink dirty water. Like dirty water, sin doesn’t usually kill us immediately, but it makes our lives sick. But Jesus came to give people from every nation on earth a way to be made clean from our sin. When we drink clean water, we get healthy. Jesus can make our hearts healthy by forgiving our sin.”

The prayer, apparent healing, and the message of God’s forgiveness had softened Wichit’s heart and he decided to receive Christ with Pai right then. “Everyone was so happy.”

(from left to right) Pai, Chad (an American visitor), Deun, Nam and child, Wichit’s mother, and Wichit holding a Bible.

And Wichit’s eye was healed. He returned to work the next day.

Pai sees the change now when he returns to the village. “His family says he is not the same as he has been in the past. He thanks me for sharing the gospel with him.”

After several months of growing in his new faith, Wichit decided to be baptized. “When I last saw him he was so excited about God.”

Above: Pai with Nam and Wichit at a Christmas party in December. Below: Pai reads a scripture passage before baptizing Wichit.

Now the prayers for a change of heart have shifted to Wichit’s father. He is not a believer and worships spirits. Pai has agreed to meet with him. 

Wichit’s father (center) watched the filter distribution with great interest.

Wichit’s father is not open to the gospel, but prayers are being made. Everyone is hopeful God will do whatever it takes to change another sick heart and make it healthy.