Cindi and I were politely escorted to a tiny white plastic table on the bank of the Mekong River where two middle-aged Thai men sat. It was the last day of the three-month Buddhist lent season (Phansaa), and we were privileged to be honored guests at the Naga Fireball Festival in the Phon Phisai province on the Thailand-Laos border, one of the most mysterious events of the year. According to Thai legend, each year at the end of the lent season, the returned Buddha takes the form of a giant sea serpent (naga) and breathes fireballs out of the water into the air. There is much debate about the source and nature of these “fireballs,” and to this day it is considered to be a natural event that science is not able to explain.

As we sat down, the two men greeted us warmly. One of the men, Puntalop, was a cameraman for a local television station. He gave me his phone number and asked for mine. He told me to call him sometime and said that if I ever return to the area I would have a friend I could contact. I was slightly taken aback, but I felt touched by his warmth.

Within twenty minutes, we were served a full-fledged supper. After we explained that we were vegetarian, our hosts made sure we got all the meatless dishes. As we sat there eating together, I asked Puntalop what he thought caused the fireballs. He replied that he thought it was just a natural phenomenon. I asked if more people nowadays attribute the cause to nature rather than to the popular myth, and a conversation ensued.

As the night went on, we all watched the river intently, hoping not to miss any of the action. When the crowd roared at the sight of the first fireball, Puntalop excitedly asked if we had seen it. As each fireball shot upward, he kept asking, “Did you see that one?” Again we were touched by his warmth and genuine interest in us.

After saying goodbye to our table mates, I reflected on our encounter with Puntalop and felt convicted that I must make sure to call him in the near future. He lives more than three hours away from us, and it is very unlikely that we will ever meet again if I don’t make the effort.

Please pray for us as we continue to build friendships with local people. Pray that we will have wisdom to know how to guide them to our Savior.

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