I finally got a minute to write some of all that has happened. This is the first time we have sat down during the day with downtime. I’m typing this in our training room as we wait for our ride to arrive. We only have internet we are at the office, so I’m saving this to post later when I am able.
I don’t even know where to start. The trip was good and uneventful. I met some very nice folks but our conversation was limited as I spoke neither Korean nor whatever language is spoken in Indonesia. The layover in Korea was interesting. Our flight got in at 5:00 am so the airport was virtually deserted and the ticket counters weren’t even open. I had some struggles with the international calling card that but was able to call home using some Korean money that was change for a coffee I bought. The Bangkok airport layover was also fine: a lot of walking, sitting, and waiting.
When I arrived in Chiang Mai, after I claimed my bags, I walked out to find a large group of people (who I know had to be the other teachers because most of them were foreign (white). All the other teachers had come with my boss to pick me up. They brought me home, gave me the tour and dinner.
That night was pretty uneventful although I did learn that my air con (air conditioner) doesn't work. We only have it in our bedrooms anyway though. Also, the shower and the rest of the bathroom are not separated so when you take a shower the toilet gets all wet. I'll try to post more soon, we only have a little bit of time on the internet and I have to spend most of it preparing for my class. I try to write more interesting things next time because a lot has happened.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Countdown
Well the countdown is almost done, there are only eight days before I start travelling. I just wanted to say thank you for the overwhelming support (financial and emotional) I've received from everyone. I could not have made it this far without each and every one of you. A very good friend of mine recently shared with me some good advice she had read. "Fear says: Don't move. You might fail. You can't do it. You'll never make it. But Faith says: With God, you can do it. He will bring good out of even your failures. Choose to trust him. Let go of your fears." I am banking on the fact that God does not need me to be perfect or do everything just right, His plans will be accomplished in spite of my mistakes and that gives me great comfort. A verse that comes to mind is one of my aunt's favorites Isaiah 55:10-11. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Monday, April 27, 2009
Dear Friends
Dear Friend,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am facing both excitement and sadness as I am about to graduate from Lubbock Christian University. This semester of student teaching has just flown by, and I hear that time does not slow down from here on out. I trust that you are taking time to enjoy special moments each day because that is all we truly have.
I would like to share with you an incredible door God has opened for my next step in this journey of life. On June 20th I will be traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand to teach at Mars Hill Christian School. This school was created for the purpose of educating Thai children in academic areas and more importantly for teaching them about Jesus. I am currently in the process of raising support for this purpose and I would like to tell you about the remarkable way God has worked in my life to make this opportunity a reality.
Until two years ago my worst fear was that God would send me overseas as a missionary. However, for the last couple years God has really been opening my eyes to His love for the nations. Every sermon, Bible verse, song, person, and random event seemed to press on my heart the need to go and proclaim God’s name. Slowly and without my realizing it, God has been changing my heart to desire His will and preparing me to accomplish what He has ordained for my life. Even before I started thinking or praying about teaching overseas I adopted Isaiah 61:1-3 as my life verse. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.”
When I first pictured teaching overseas I saw myself under a tree in Africa teaching a group of children who would not normally have a teacher or a chance to learn. My desire is to reach children who are without hope and who have no way to know the love of Jesus. When I started thinking about the fact that I am only able to speak English I began to think it impossible to fulfill my original vision. I should have known that “impossible” is not a word in God’s vocabulary. Throughout my searching I stumbled upon Mars Hill Christian School which is preparing to begin its first school year near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mars Hill stood out to me for several reasons. First, the school’s mission is to reach native Thai children and prepare them to be godly leaders in their country. This school year every child that I am going to teach is an orphan or has been abandoned for various reasons. Several of these children have narrowly escaped being sold into prostitution or being sent to the Buddhist temple. Most have not been taught about Jesus. At Mars Hill I will have the opportunity to openly proclaim and teach about the Gospel. Second, the school will be bilingual. In order to accomplish this goal there will be both native Thai and English teachers. The reason behind teaching in both Thai and English is the hope that the students will stay in Thailand and be influential in spreading the Gospel to their countrymen.
After I read the information on the Mars Hill website I realized that it was closer to my original vision than I could have ever hoped to find. Throughout the whole process I have prayed, sought counsel, researched the school and I have no doubt that the Lord has opened this door. While reading One Month to Live last semester I was impacted by what the author wrote about God’s vision. He described God’s vision for our life as being so immense and crazy that it is only able to be accomplished by Him. I know that if the Lord was not in this I would fail miserably. I am still concerned that I will not be able to learn the language quickly enough and that I will not be able to effectively teach the children God will bring to my classroom. However, I have faith that He has called me to just that and that He will enable me to do what He has asked of me.
As a teacher at Mars Hill, housing will be provided as will a stipend. The stipend will provide for many of the necessities throughout the school year. However, there are several expenses that will go beyond what is provided, one being a plane ticket. I humbly ask that you consider contributing to this vision. My goal is to raise four thousand dollars. While it does seem daunting to be able to raise so much money, especially in such a short time, I know that the Lord will provide for all I need. Even more important than monetary giving is prayer. I would be honored if you would pray with me in this step of faith. As I mentioned before I do have two major concerns: learning Thai and teaching effectively. I would also appreciate prayer for all the details that need to be sorted out as I prepare to move.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope it is an encouragement to hear how God is working (on a very small scale). I also want to thank you for your involvement in my life. Whether I see you often or have not seen you in years I appreciate your friendship and how God has used you to bless my life. May Psalms 29:11 be evident in your life, “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”
I will be contacting you in the next few weeks to update you on my plans, request your prayer support, and to ask you to consider financial support. If you have any questions before I contact you or at any other time please email me. I hope you will enjoy sharing this journey with me.
Sincerely,
Emily
I hope this letter finds you well. I am facing both excitement and sadness as I am about to graduate from Lubbock Christian University. This semester of student teaching has just flown by, and I hear that time does not slow down from here on out. I trust that you are taking time to enjoy special moments each day because that is all we truly have.
I would like to share with you an incredible door God has opened for my next step in this journey of life. On June 20th I will be traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand to teach at Mars Hill Christian School. This school was created for the purpose of educating Thai children in academic areas and more importantly for teaching them about Jesus. I am currently in the process of raising support for this purpose and I would like to tell you about the remarkable way God has worked in my life to make this opportunity a reality.
Until two years ago my worst fear was that God would send me overseas as a missionary. However, for the last couple years God has really been opening my eyes to His love for the nations. Every sermon, Bible verse, song, person, and random event seemed to press on my heart the need to go and proclaim God’s name. Slowly and without my realizing it, God has been changing my heart to desire His will and preparing me to accomplish what He has ordained for my life. Even before I started thinking or praying about teaching overseas I adopted Isaiah 61:1-3 as my life verse. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.”
When I first pictured teaching overseas I saw myself under a tree in Africa teaching a group of children who would not normally have a teacher or a chance to learn. My desire is to reach children who are without hope and who have no way to know the love of Jesus. When I started thinking about the fact that I am only able to speak English I began to think it impossible to fulfill my original vision. I should have known that “impossible” is not a word in God’s vocabulary. Throughout my searching I stumbled upon Mars Hill Christian School which is preparing to begin its first school year near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mars Hill stood out to me for several reasons. First, the school’s mission is to reach native Thai children and prepare them to be godly leaders in their country. This school year every child that I am going to teach is an orphan or has been abandoned for various reasons. Several of these children have narrowly escaped being sold into prostitution or being sent to the Buddhist temple. Most have not been taught about Jesus. At Mars Hill I will have the opportunity to openly proclaim and teach about the Gospel. Second, the school will be bilingual. In order to accomplish this goal there will be both native Thai and English teachers. The reason behind teaching in both Thai and English is the hope that the students will stay in Thailand and be influential in spreading the Gospel to their countrymen.
After I read the information on the Mars Hill website I realized that it was closer to my original vision than I could have ever hoped to find. Throughout the whole process I have prayed, sought counsel, researched the school and I have no doubt that the Lord has opened this door. While reading One Month to Live last semester I was impacted by what the author wrote about God’s vision. He described God’s vision for our life as being so immense and crazy that it is only able to be accomplished by Him. I know that if the Lord was not in this I would fail miserably. I am still concerned that I will not be able to learn the language quickly enough and that I will not be able to effectively teach the children God will bring to my classroom. However, I have faith that He has called me to just that and that He will enable me to do what He has asked of me.
As a teacher at Mars Hill, housing will be provided as will a stipend. The stipend will provide for many of the necessities throughout the school year. However, there are several expenses that will go beyond what is provided, one being a plane ticket. I humbly ask that you consider contributing to this vision. My goal is to raise four thousand dollars. While it does seem daunting to be able to raise so much money, especially in such a short time, I know that the Lord will provide for all I need. Even more important than monetary giving is prayer. I would be honored if you would pray with me in this step of faith. As I mentioned before I do have two major concerns: learning Thai and teaching effectively. I would also appreciate prayer for all the details that need to be sorted out as I prepare to move.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope it is an encouragement to hear how God is working (on a very small scale). I also want to thank you for your involvement in my life. Whether I see you often or have not seen you in years I appreciate your friendship and how God has used you to bless my life. May Psalms 29:11 be evident in your life, “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”
I will be contacting you in the next few weeks to update you on my plans, request your prayer support, and to ask you to consider financial support. If you have any questions before I contact you or at any other time please email me. I hope you will enjoy sharing this journey with me.
Sincerely,
Emily
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Preparation
Hi! I just wanted to get this started so that I would be able to let people know a good way to keep updated and in touch. I've just finished my student teaching and all my college work and am focusing my attention on preparing for Thailand. There are many details still to be worked out. The most challenging might be deciding what to try to squeeze into my allotted two suitcases. Please continue praying for my ability to learn the Thai language, courage, and needed support. Thank you and I so excited for this journey to begin!
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