“I feel like I’ve seen another piece of the Word become flesh.”
Meeting the Jade Star Sign Language team deeply touched Terri Taylor’s heart. She and several members of her church had traveled from near Calgary, Canada, to Bangkok, Thailand, to see Wycliffe’s work in action. They had followed Jade Star’s story in newsletters and prayer updates—but nothing prepared them for the impact of meeting in person.
A sign language conference brought the Jade Star team and their families from their home country to Bangkok, providing the perfect opportunity for the two groups to connect. After conference sessions concluded, the Canadians and the sign language team piled into a minivan and drove to a local park for photos and conversation.
They were all surprised by how much they could share and learn from each other, even without a common language.
“They were joyful, kind, and very endearing immediately,” said Pastor Kelly Sikstrom, another trip member. Terri echoed the sentiment: “They were joy FULL. It seemed to literally spill out from them.”
The abundant joy surprised the Canadians, because the Jade Star team lives in a region where life is filled with difficulties and regional conflict. As they interacted, the visitors learned more about the team’s day-to-day struggles. “We [learned] about some of the hardships they each [had] overcome with the political environment they live in. Life is not easy for them and they carry a sense of fear and anxiety all the time,” says Kelly.
But in the midst of the struggle, they cling to God’s Word. Under the shade of a gently swaying tree, as their children played nearby, the team signed Psalm 13 in unison: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?…but I trust in your unfailing love. My heart rejoices in your salvation.” In their hands, the Psalmist’s words took on new emotion and depth.
“Their ability to almost visually express the Word in their actions and their expressions…we’ve seen in those expressions the fruits of the Spirit. We’ve seen their joy and their peace and their love,” says Terri.
Everyone’s hearts were full when it was time to say goodbye. “We’ve been inspired, we’ve felt blessed. We’ve been just so grateful for a little bit of time with these people who are incredible,” says Kelly.
Their visit continued to grow Terri’s faith long after she returned home.
“The privilege of interacting with a group of people seeking to live out the Great Commission reveals things in our own hearts and lives, and challenges us to do the Word and not just know it.”
Written by Ruth Richert