The Cambodian Jeweler

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
 
Let me tell you about my recent experience. I went to pick up a ring from a nearby jewelry store. The jeweler was a Cambodian, and his thoughts were very much with the circle of countries affected by the terrible tsunami in December. He said to me, “It’s good you came in today, because I’m leaving tomorrow for my home country.” Then he added, “Isn’t that something about the catastrophe in India and Indonesia? How awful!”
“Yes,” I said, “almost unbelievable!”
“Is there something in your Bible about such things?”
“Yes,” I said. “These are signs of Christ’s coming, and in Mark 13:7-87And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7‑8), it says, ‘When ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes... and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.’”
“Very interesting,” he said. Then he asked, “Your God—what is He called? Jesus? Lord? What?”
I told him, “My full name is Sally Jane Doe, and like that His full name and title is Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Oh,” he said, “I see.”
Then I said, “We hear ‘Jesus Christ!’ or ‘God!’ often when people are mad or angry.”
“Yes, I know.”
Then I told him, “Jesus is God’s Son, and in John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) we read that ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’” I told him also that the Lord is a wonderful Savior and that I hoped he would believe His love.
He seemed very touched, so I am praying for his soul. Hopefully he will have a safe flight to Cambodia and he will not neglect this decision, for the Bible says that “NOW is the accepted time...NOW is the day of salvation.”
My prayer is also that this little story will bring a better understanding of the gospel to you, too.