The very first Christmas party that I went to at the end of 2024 almost ended in disaster. Instead, God used it to remind us that nothing is impossible for him.
Plaeng Yao is a group that has been faithfully meeting in a small house for two years. This year, they planned for a big Christmas party in the courtyard of their housing complex, and invited 150 friends and neighbors. They had all their permits in order, and met the day before the party to decorate the space, set up the sound system, and cook the food together.
At the last minute, the landlord changed his mind. “I know I gave you permission,” he said, “but you are not allowed to have a party here anymore. Take down these decorations! Put everything away! I will call the police if anything happens here tonight. Also, you are no longer allowed to worship in this room.”
The church was shocked, and began to pray fervently. Then, a local government official, who had issued the permit in the past, heard what happened. He became very upset. “This is not right,” he told the church leaders. “I live only one kilometer away from you; come bring the party to my house! I have a field next to it, and 300 Myanmar migrant workers live in the housing complex I just finished building here. If the police or anyone else comes to make trouble, I will tell them this is my personal Christmas party! Also, I’m going to build you a place to worship right next to my house, so no one can bother you in the future.”
What an incredible answer to prayer! With only a few hours before the party was supposed to start, the whole church started moving everything over—food, gifts, decorations, sound equipment. Over 250 people came to Jesus that night! The housing complex was so happy to have a surprise Christmas party appear in their yard, and the leaders and church members from Plaeng Yao saw firsthand how much Jesus cares about them.
One of the leaders said, “God’s plans are so much better than our plans! We have such a small picture of what is possible, but with God, all things are possible!”
