A transformed Sompon, in the baptismal pool Photo supplied by Thailand YES team.

But on January 29, Sompon stood with an open face, confessed his newfound faith in Christ, and received water baptism, surrounded by the monthly assembly of the Life Enrichment Churches – and John’s parents, Truman and Ginny Hertzler. 

Dairy farmers and self-taught historians from Elverson, Pa., the Hertzlers had traveled to Thailand from January 25 to February 11, planning to teach Mennonite history, take soil samples, and walk through this significant chapter in their own grieving process. 

On an earlier return visit by John’s wife Janelle and sister-in-law Annette Hertzler, the Hertzler family had sent along a letter for Sompon, telling him that the family forgives him and is praying for him – but Truman and Ginny also hoped they’d be able to meet him.

Before departing for Thailand, Truman told a prayer group from their home church, Hopewell Christian Fellowship* in Elverson, Pa., “I sense that this visit will somehow be the cap sheaf of Johnny’s life work.” Ginny added, “I sense that God will do something new.” 

But no one could have orchestrated the events that led to this moment. 

As Sompon stood, still dripping wet from his immersion, the Hertzlers went forward to welcome him. Ginny’s eyes were brimming with tears as she sought out those of Sompon, who stood before her with his hands clasped and his head bowed. 

Ginny smiled softly and spoke the only words she could, “God is so good!” With determination twisting and deepening the lines of sorrow across his face, Truman continued, “We rejoice with you today, and welcome you as a brother.”

“I was a mess – always drunk or high,” Sompon replied. “But I’ve been changed. I have a new life now.” 

Truman answered, “I understand how it is. When I was a young man, I struggled, too.”

Nods of acknowledgement passed between them.

Since the accident that claimed John’s life, Pastor Joi, chair of the circle of Life Enrichment Churches, and other church leaders had met regularly with Sompon in his Buntharik village home. They had requested this arrangement as part of the legal settlement for the accident, and they were working their way through the Life Enrichment Courses the church uses to introduce Christian faith in this Buddhist setting.

There were Christian believers in surrounding communities, but none in Buntharik. For months before his death, John and his wife Janelle had been praying for a breakthrough in Buntharik. They’d even considered relocating there from Det Udom. At his death, John’s body came to rest just about 55 meters inside the Buntharik district. 

Pastor Joi knew well the complexities and difficulties of Sompon’s situation and did not rush quickly to this moment. “I looked for real heart change,” he said, “and that is what I am seeing. I’ve asked his wife and his neighbors, and they say he is a different person. He is relaxed, humble, and honest; he is clearly able to express his newfound faith.” 

After the baptism there was a joy-filled worship service and a fellowship meal – spread out on the floor in typical Isaan fashion. But no one left before the Isaan benediction – a string-tying ceremony.

The church clustered around Sompon, Truman, and Ginny – tying strings of welcome and blessing on the arms of those whose lives have now been inextricably linked – now not with mere strings, but with cords of great pain and costly forgiveness. 

Ginny shared later, “It was a sacred, special time, but not easy!” As a tangible expression of her willingness to receive the string gestures of love and blessing from the group, Ginny extended her arms left and right – in cruciform.

The believers also flocked around Sompon with words of welcome and prayers of blessing. Truman intentionally sought his opportunity to tie strings on Sompon’s wrists.

Carol Tobin, a worker with EMM and the Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions, witnessed the scene and commented, “I don’t know what Truman said, but in my heart I hear him saying the words of Paul from 2 Corinthians 4: “So death works in us, but life in you… We speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you! For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God…”

Carol added, “The Thai church had been ‘primed’ to hear the stories of Mennonite history that Truman went on to share. It was water to their souls to hear him declare passionately – through these stories and through his life – that, whatever the cost, we choose to throw in our lot with a kingdom 'not of this world.' The believers were powerfully affected by the fact that John’s parents were with them at this time.” 

The Thai church has been praying earnestly for life to come forth from John’s death. They recently asked the Tobins if they would consider moving to Buntharik, Sompon’s home village.

When other plans fell through, Tobins sensed God was indeed leading them to Buntharik at least for six months. One evening when they stopped over to check out the repairs being done on their Buntharik home, they were surprised to see a stranger sitting in their living room. The old man proceeded to tell them that he’d witnessed John’s fatal accident.

Carol said, “While this difficult encounter triggered our grief afresh, we also sensed that God wants us to know that there is a connection between our being here and the accident. ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (John 12:24). So, what is God doing? Will our willingness to make a start in Buntharik inspire someone else to come along behind us? Who is God calling to help reap the harvest in this place?”

Since John’s death, the Hopewell Network of Churches*, which includes the Hertzlers’ home congregation, have adopted the Isaan people of Thailand and Laos for special ongoing prayer and ministry focus.

Other current EMM team members in Thailand include Lucille Zimmerman and a three person Youth Evangelism Service team.

-Jewel Showalter

*Hopewell Christian Fellowship is a member of the Hopewell Network of Churches, an interdenominational network of churches with Anabaptist roots. The 16 churches currently part of the Network are based mostly in eastern Pennsylvania.

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