By E.K., a member of SEND’s Thailand | Asia team

Pastor Somchai* and his wife, Malee*, were excited to support me as I played in my first 3x3 basketball tournament in Thailand. However, as they sat down, something felt wrong, and the hairs on Somchai’s arm stood up.

Darkness. It seemed to stem from the kind, young woman beside them, my professor, Praew. The game started and ended, and as Professor Praew* left, so did the darkness.

Praew was also excited to support me, her new friend and student, as I played in the basketball tournament. Taking a seat, the hairs on her arm stood up. It was back. The heavy, terrifying presence that had seemingly been following her since the conversation she’d had with me about Jesus three weeks ago. She’d never experienced it before, but it had consumed her for the last three weeks. She wasn’t okay, but she had to act like it until the game ended...

That Sunday, Professor Praew came with her boyfriend to church, where they met Malee, who told Praew what she and Somchai had sensed. Shock and relief flooded Praew. She thought she was alone. Her friends had no answers, nor did her boyfriend, but here stood this stranger who knew and saw her.

The following day at class, I asked Praew if it would be alright for me to pray with her. Promptly, she dropped her books on the table and offered her hands. After praying, she said, “I like praying together. Even at church. When you pray, I feel power.”

We discussed the connection between the oppression and her interest in Jesus. She hasn’t felt the presence since that Sunday, and I believe she understands why.

Thailand is amazing, but it is also dark, and many people have experiences like Professor Praew every day. They don’t know that there is freedom from the darkness, but that’s why Jesus has sent us to tell those like Praew that he came “to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Isaiah 61:1 ESV).

*Names changed for privacy.