Ying and Glong

Ying came to study English at a local church’s English conversation program near her university. She had grown up in a Buddhist home but was open to learning about the Christian God at the parties and activities offered by the English program after classes. Ying experienced God’s love through the genuine and caring friendships she made at the church. She became more and more interested in Christianity, and started studying the Bible with one of the English program’s staff.

While at the English center, Ying started dating another student there, Glong. Glong kindly listened to people when they shared the Gospel, but he kept firmly to his Buddhist beliefs, openly sharing and explaining what and why he believed in the Buddhist teachings and practices. Still, he made friendships at the church and attended all the English program activities with Ying.

When Ying and Glong graduated, they felt so much at home at the church that they brought their families to meet their Christian friends. However, as often happens in this Buddhist culture, after they moved back to their hometowns to find work, Ying’s interest in Christianity—that once seemed so sincere—faded and seemed to end. Ying is no longer reading the Bible or searching for truth from God. She has returned to regular Buddhist worship practice.