My name is Jay, and I am sixteen years old. I am from Yangon, Myanmar, but I was sent by my family to live with my uncle in Mae Sot, Thailand, because they were afraid that the military in our country would force me to become a soldier.
When I first reached the village, it was late, and I was tired. My uncle gave me only a few minutes of rest before asking, “Would you like to go to church?”
I had no idea what “church” was, but I didn’t want to say no to my uncle. So, we went to a house where there was a room full of young people like me. They were kind and friendly, not like my friends in Yangon. I made a new friend there named Simon, which made me happy. But when I heard the pastor say “we have all sinned” that made me angry. Why would he say that?
A few weeks later, Simon invited me to a prayer meeting. I had no idea what a “prayer meeting” was, but I didn’t want to say no to my friend. So we went to a prayer meeting.
My friend Simon said, “Just sit there, make your heart peaceful and say, ‘Jesus, hallelujah.’” I did this, and, after a few minutes, something crazy happened.
I felt myself leaving my body. At first, it was very peaceful, and there was a beautiful garden. Then I realized I couldn’t move—black chains were pinning my body to the ground. I looked up. Sets of white clothing were flying into the clouds. Seven beings were there, blowing trumpets and welcoming the clothes into the clouds, where they became stars.
I woke up, and my heart was racing. I leaned over and said, “Simon! Something crazy just happened to me!” I told him about the vision, and he said the chains were my sins, but that Jesus would give me a white robe of righteousness—forgiveness! I went home confused.
That night I had another dream of the beautiful garden. A man with a long stick walked towards me. I asked him, “Can I help you? Who are you?” He touched me and said, “I am Jesus. Come and follow me, son.”
I woke up happy, my face wet with tears. I had no idea what “follow me” meant, but I didn’t want to say no to Jesus.
So, I said yes.
