Tuesday Testimonies – Yok Liston

As we travel on our spiritual journey, it’s always encouraging to hear from others how God has worked in their lives. Periodically we’ll share testimonies from our NAOBC Women on how God worked in their life. Today’s testimony is from Yok Liston.

Yok and her husband, Micah, have been members of NAOBC for a little over two years. They are members of YC7 BFG and enjoy serving in our children’s ministry. You can read more about Yok here.

I was born and raised in a Buddhist family from a small city in the small country of Thailand. Worshipped false God. Walked in the dark and wicked way. My desire was of the world. 

Fourteen years ago, by His grace, the Lord saved me from my sin. He turned me around and I followed Him. He gave me new desires of the Light. He strengthened me through difficulty and persecution from denying Buddhist way and following the Lord. 

Little by little He draws me near and helps me to know Him and trust Him. By His mercy and kindness He has provided mentors and church family to disciple and walk along side me. He blessed me with my own family, a husband who loves the Lord and guides me toward Jesus. He trusted us with a sweet little boy who we are humbled to raise and discipline him in Christ. I was born again and I am now like a tree planted by Living water. All glory be to God. Where would I be without him?

My life is now on the foundation of the gospel (I’m not perfect, but by His grace I made it my goal to live my life on a gospel foundation). His word changed ways that I would respond to circumstances especially hardships and trials. 

This is the most recent hardship I faced, and by His goodness He draws me near. When I moved to America, I was faced with culture shock. There were lots of changes such as a new language to learn, new friends to make, new marriage (wonderful things but still a change), the ministry I was serving with before moving to America ended pretty hard, etc. I immersed myself in and five years later, America is becoming more like home to me. And now I’m visiting Thailand for a longer period of time (three months), I’m experiencing reverse culture shock. It’s a pretty hard experience. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore. I have a sense that I’m rootless or I’m-not-fitting-anywhere- anymore. In some sense, I feel lost. 

A sweet friend of mine who experienced similar things before reminded me that this is a new opportunity to fellowship with Jesus in His suffering.

Jesus came to earth and His own country and family rejected him (He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John 1:11). He understands what it’s like to be home and yet feel out of place.

Another friend reminded me that this is an opportunity for me to fix my eyes on my heavenly home where I truly belong. 

The Lord is so kind and good to give me this wisdom and strength and allows me to bring him my weakness and receive comfort in the midst of my earthly loss, only to point me to eternal hope where I belong and am longing to be with Him one day. 

Without Him, I wouldn’t be able to respond to these circumstances with grace. I would have been lost and left in bitterness. 

All glory be to God!