TOTUUS

In the heart of Bangkok’s buzzing Chinatown alleys, where neon signs flickered even at dawn and the air smelled of sizzling pork satay and sweet mango sticky rice, 8-year-old Mei started her day with a big stretch.

Her family lived in a tiny apartment above Mom’s street food cart. Dad fixed motorbikes in a smoky garage next door, while baby sister Nong napped in a hammock.

Mei jumped up as roosters crowed and tuk-tuks honked outside. “Time for khao niew mamuang!” Mom called, handing her a sticky rice ball wrapped in banana leaf for breakfast. Mei gobbled it while helping set up the cart, arranging colorful plastic stools for customers.

Dad waved from under a scooter, grease on his cheeks, shouting, “Ride safe to school, little tiger!”

She pedaled her pink bike through chaotic streets, dodging fruit vendors, golden spirit houses with incense smoke curling up, and orange-robed monks collecting alms.

At school, the day flew by, Thai language lessons with funny rhymes, maths under whirring fans, and art time drawing elephants. Lunch was spicy som tam papaya salad shared with giggling friends.

Afternoons meant racing home for homework on the balcony, then playtime: tag in the soi alley, jumping puddles after rain showers, or sneaking mangoes from a neighbor’s tree.

As the sun dipped, the family gathered for dinner. Mom fried chicken, Dad told silly stories, and everyone laughed over steaming rice. At the end of the day, fairy lights twinkled along the wet streets, motorbikes zoomed by, and Mei drifted to sleep dreaming of adventures, the city’s hum like a lullaby.

Many Isaan friends in Thailand think that they can collect superpowers from worshipping all kinds of gods and spirits. They treat them more like magic charms from everywhere to stay safe and strong. Guys especially wear necklaces full of lucky talismans, and they think, “Why not add a Christian cross too?” When they hear about Jesus, they ask, “Can I keep being Buddhist AND follow Jesus?”

This makes it tricky for new Jesus-followers from Buddhist homes. They worry, “What if Jesus isn’t strong enough for big problems? Better keep some idols just in case!” But Jesus says, “I have ALL the power in heaven and earth!” That’s the exciting secret to growing super strong in faith. When we put away all our idols, and worship God alone, we find real faith and a real relationship with God.

Colour Mei walking through a busy street with stalls, fruit, and traffic.

Today’s language is Thai. Try saying hello and thank you in Thai.

As you colour and learn new words, pray for children in Thailand who do not know Jesus yet.