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Fall 2009 | Volume 68, No. 1
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Seminary Student Brings Home Faith in Christ from Thailand Mission Trip
by Southwestern News Staff
Stories from summer missions are common souvenirs that Southwesterners take home to Fort Worth. Ashley Perkins brought back what could be her best story of all – she became a Christian during her mission trip.
Perkins was one of 14 students from Southwestern and 12 students from Truett-McConnell College who travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in late May and early June.
While overseas, Perkins saw vivid examples of both the belief systems of the local people and of the Gospel her friends were presenting to them.
“Both Buddhism and Islam are completely works-based religions. And I was very much a works person,” said Perkins. “I had no concept of grace at all. I thought I had to do all these good things to try to earn God’s love and be good enough for Him to get to heaven. And for them, it’s the same thing.”
When she accepted that Jesus Christ, her Lord, took her sin upon Himself and paid the debt she owed God, giving salvation to her as a gift, she was saved. As a result, her heart went out to the people of Chiang Mai.
“It was heartbreaking to see them just worship and fall down in front of these gigantic statues of Buddha and these gods that are made in our image when we’re so unworthy, you know?” she said. “We’re sinners, and they’re falling before gods that are made like us. …
“I just wanted to talk to them and tell them that Jesus was it,” Perkins said. “All this worry and stress doesn’t have to be there. You can just trust in Him and know that it’s done. It’s over.”
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