A Harvest in Hat Yai

As the early morning rains fell across Hat Yai, Thailand, it could have been easy to view the clouds as an obstacle. But for a team of Gideons and Auxiliary on mission to win others for the Lord Jesus Christ, those clouds were simply the backdrop for a week of divine appointments. God proved once again that His Word is never hindered by human limitations—or the weather.

During January 11‐18, 2025, an international team of nine Gideons joined with faithful members from Thailand to reach over 108,000 people with a copy of God’s Word across Hat Yai and the nearby coastal area of Songkhla. What began with just one school per team on the initial schedule became a Spirit-led expansion as each of the nine teams worked together to discover opportunities to distribute Scriptures in many approved areas of distribution. Their reach extended beyond schools into universities, prisons, hospitals, hotels, plus police and military stations. The result was a vibrant display of the body of Christ in action.

Team Leader Angelo remarked, “The best images from the week are the stacks of Scripture on Monday morning—followed by the empty boxes on Friday afternoon.”

God Ordained Every Encounter

While the numbers themselves are worth celebrating, the stories behind them point unmistakably to God’s hand at work.

At Ban Kamphaeng Phet School, which wasn’t even on the assigned schedule, the team was warmly welcomed by a principal who had been wrestling with questions of faith. She and her husband were exploring several different religions—but her heart leaned toward Christ. Though she didn’t speak English, she could understand it. That day, a Gideon shared the Gospel with her in English, gave her a Testament, and prayed with her that she and her husband would come to know Jesus. ‘A divine appointment,” the team member called it.

Another powerful moment came when a young student named Paeng approached a team member and said, “I’ve been wanting to talk to someone about Jesus for a while. Can you tell me more?” After hearing the Gospel, Paeng received Jesus as his Savior, signed the back of his Testament, and joined hands with the team in prayer right there on his school campus.

On the final day of distributions, one team stopped at an open-air café for a quick lunch. A Gideon started a conversation with a young man named Lak, who typically worked in the kitchen. God opened a door for the Gideon to share the good news of salvation with Lak, and he prayed to receive Christ. He shared with the team that “a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.”

He Opens Doors—And Sometimes Clears Skies

Throughout the week, team members consistently encountered what could only be described as God’s providence. Rain would pause just long enough to allow Scripture distributions to go forward. Hotel managers who had been wondering how to obtain Bibles found their answer when Gideons arrived unannounced with Scriptures in hand. School administrators welcomed the teams and permitted distributions—even class by class.

“To be able to hold up His Word in front of entire student bodies and invite them to read it with their hearts is a dear memory I will cherish,” said one team member.

Even with language barriers and logistical hurdles, God moved powerfully. Gary, a first-time blitz participant, shared, “This was a life-changing experience for me. Seeing the openness of young students, the excitement to receive a Testament, and the opportunity to explain how the Bible shapes our lives—it was a blessing beyond words.”

The Seeds Are Planted

Participating Gideons and Auxiliary are confident in the eternal fruit that will result from this week of service. “We believe with all our hearts,” said Angelo, “that the Word of God never returns void.” Indeed, in Hat Yai, seeds have been planted in thousands of hearts—seeds that will be watered and harvested in God’s perfect timing.

Through the faithful efforts of one local camp, new members have already joined to continue the work. Churches that supported the blitz from the start gathered at the end of the week to give thanks for what God had done. A Gideon named Lawrence summed it up best: “God gave us a wonderful blessing to see the fruit of our labor.”