A Day of Rejoicing

This last year in Thailand I discovered something silly that is actually very important to me. I realized it by noticing the fact that it was lacking in our household. Well, we technically had one, but one that was sorely disappointing. As much as a couch, yes a couch, could be disappointing ours certainly was. It was made of a plastic type material which did not breath at all, which when living in Thailand is quite a problem. It had large rips that were duct taped together, it was hard, but worst of all it stank. So, the picture of curling up on the couch for morning devotions, or to read, to watch a movie, or visit with friends just sounded miserable. We ended up sitting on our floor all the time and our couch was turned into a bookshelf.
As, superficial as it is a new couch became an object that we all greatly desired. However, the thought of spending the money to attain our heart's desire was something that we all couldn't really justify. When two of our roommates left for good, the reality of purchasing diminished as the cost went up. (We had looked at couches but just couldn't decide if we needed one or if so which one would be best.) A couch became to us a symbol and an analogy for some of our heart's greatest desires. We would say that someday the Lord would bring us a couch (literally and figuratively). We all have been learning how to put our hearts into God's hands and commit fully, whatever lies ahead. I, for one, sometimes have a hard time trusting God's plans and that He really does know what I desire and need, and not only that but that He grants the desires of our hearts and provides for our needs. Months ago I put the couch situation in God's hands trusting that He saw our desire and that He would answer, although in His time. Recently, I have been challenged to focus on Christ as the all sufficient one, and on the fact that He alone can satisfy my heart's desires.
Upon arriving back in Thailand, the thought and desire for a new couch came up several times. Two days ago I even told my roommate Amy that I thought we should stop by one of the shops on the road to school and ask how much for one of their couch/chair things. OK so enough background story, hopefully you understand where we are coming from.
Two days ago our gate bell (similar to a door bell) rang and I peeked out the front door to see our landlady coming up to the door. Honestly, my first thought was, "Oh, no. She is coming for rent and we don't have the money." (Our boss gives us money for rent each month and we pass it on to her.) I answered the door and greeted her politely. She started out in Thai and I thought that she said she was going to switch the sofa. I asked to clarify and she said that yes our couch was may dii (not good) and so she was going to change it. It was about to storm so we made a plan for her to come back the next day at four. When we pulled up to our house at four o'clock she was standing outside (unusual punctuality for Thai culture) with her husband and two Thai workers. In about fifteen minutes they had removed our gross bookshelf (couch) and replaced it with.......a beautiful, soft, clean, non-smelly couch. Better than I could have hoped for. So this is on the surface meant to share about our great new couch (and kind landlady). But more than that I hope you see answered prayer and that God knows the desires of our hearts, big and small. That while it may not always seem like it God is always working and He knows how to give good gifts to His children because of His extravagant love. May I never forget that in good times or bad with a gross couch or a beautiful one He is the all sufficient one and therefore all I will ever need.

Songkran Festival

Thai New Year has arrived, which means...water! Yes, for a whole week the entire city has license to throw water on anyone else. Not only that, down at the moat, the whole city shows up for water fight of gigantic proportions. The moat is just that, an actual moat. The old city used to be surrounded by a high wall with four gates and a moat. Now all that is left of the wall are the gates and corners, but the moat survives. April 13 means that it is time to climb into your truck with about ten of your closest friends and relatives, grab your water guns and any large bucket and drive down to the moat. Some choose to also cover their car in baby powder mixed with liquid dye and don a Halloween type mask/costume. Once at the moat cars move at about 2 miles per hour as the occupants toss water onto other trucks, cars, pedestrians, virtually anything is fair game. Water is pulled out of the moat and huge blocks of ice are sold by the water. We stood on the sidewalk pulling water out of the moat to dump on whoever thought it would be fun to dump water on us. Amy and I had to work as a team as we had to ward off attacks from both the front (all the vehicles) and the back (other pedestrians). I have to say that is must be one of the best ideas ever created. The days have been so hot and just sitting in the heat is pretty miserable. After you are completely soaked from head to toe the temperature is much more bearable.

The fight is not contained to the moat although that is where most of the people go. On any street, even out of the city, you will see people standing on the side of the road with their buckets and hoses throwing water on anyone who passes by. This afternoon we walked down the road aways to our local outdoor tri-weekly market. As we exited our neighborhood we were doused by some cute children. A little farther down the road a passing truck doused us. At the start of the market we were yet again doused by some teenagers hanging out by the road. Oddly enough the prevailing sensation was happiness that one finally does not feel so hot!

Some memories from the day:

Shh... A Secret

Can I tell you something? Several days ago I asked something of the Lord. I asked Him to open my eyes to see His love and to know His presence...and He answered.

I saw the Lord's unfailing love and redeeming power last week while visiting with sweet children who have suffered great injustice and have been rescued and who have fallen in love with their Savior, Jesus Christ.

I saw the Lord's generosity and sacrifice last week as a former student laid a gift hidden by crumpled notebook paper next to me before shyly running around a corner. As I unfolded the paper and beheld the treasure, a beautiful seashell, my heart broke. How could a child part with one of the very few things she could call her own and such a pretty thing at that? She could do so because of what she had been given. She knew that it doesn't matter what you have for yourself, it matters what you have to give.

I saw the Lord's hand last night while talking to a young woman at a church I've never been to before. A woman who has spent the last two years pouring her heart, soul and strength into people in a very rural area of Thailand. A woman who shared that she was so thankful for what we are doing because she has seen such a huge need for good education and knows how difficult it is to breach that gap.

I saw the Lord's love today as people from several cultures and languages gathered together once again to labor together in this vision of helping children break the cycle of poverty and oppression by sharing first and foremost the love and hope of Christ as well as good education and life skills.

I saw the Lord's heart and provision today when two of our former students, some of the reasons we do what we do, were riding a bike on our street as we were driving home. When we climbed out of the car after a long hot day, we were greeted by two smiling faces that I love but don't see every often. I was greatly encouraged after a conversion with them in Thai during which I both understood and was able to ask questions. It was a huge gift, as I often feel confined in my lack of ability in the Thai language.

I saw the Lord's power today when our landlady removed one of the idols on her property, where our school is located. Such an act requires faith that bad spirits will not be angered and therefore lash out. (Please pray for their protection against Satan and spiritual attacks as that is something we do face here. We desire that as the community sees her act they will come to question their idols and their "power". We also desire that this act lead to a profession of faith in Christ and a changed life.)

I'm overwhelmed by the Lord and His goodness. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to see where you are...surrounding me.

Homecoming

Returning to Thailand I have felt as if I never left but it has also felt a bit strange. For instance, not all of our previous housemates are coming back so we know things will never be quite the same as they were. Also, our house smells different, weird I know, but one of those things I noticed. I am easing back into Thai culture remembering to take off my shoes, wai people in greeting, and speak Thai again. I am adjusting to the heat (over 100 every day), the extreme levels of pollution, and being the farang (foreigner). I am thoroughly enjoying the mangoes (right now we have 25 in our house, minus the four we've already eaten this week), the cashew nut chicken, of course Khruu Ooy and my other friends. I'm grateful for my housemates in this land where we have to remind each other "Quit making me laugh I'm starting to sweat" as we sit stationary at our table with three fans pointed at us.

One of the things that rudely welcomed me back "home" is ants. For the last several days I have been irritated by ants and have thought, "I hate ants" every time I've seen one. Yesterday, I decided to force myself into positive thinking by saying something I was thankful for every time I saw an ant. That went pretty well. This morning as I went down the stairs in a bit of a daze to get my cereal before heading back up to my room (the coolest place in the house because it still held some of the air conditioning from the night). I encountered a winding trail of ants, more sporadic than usual, which makes the source difficult to determine. Now for anyone who has seen double wide trails of ants that stretch out several feet long, you'll understand why this is so frustrating. While crawling across our kitchen and bathroom floors (yes, it stretched across two rooms) with ant spray and a paper towel I thought, "These are way too many things to be thankful for so early in the morning." Needless to say ant spray and paper towels topped the list of what I was thankful for.

So, as I readjust to life on this side of the world with its good and bad I thank you for your prayers and support. My new theme verse for this year in Thailand is Psalms 37:3.
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." This verse reminds me to trust the Lord even when things don't make sense, to do good whenever and wherever I can, dwell in this land so far from home, and to hunger for and be satisfied with the Lord's faithfulness to me every step of the way.

What is Best?

I am only now beginning to understand the deep meaning of the concept of “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Sometimes being overseas and separated from people and life in the States is quite difficult. Sometimes I think, “Will this be my life? Should I be gaining good career experience in the States? Should I be trying to earn more money?” And then the answer comes, “This is my plan for you. It is the best.” My eyes are then opened to the fact that God’s plan is better for me than what I plan. I can rest in joy that I will not miss anything that is good for me. That joy then becomes my strength to persevere and to pour my heart into these children God has brought into my life. Why me? I do not know why God has allowed me, a broken weak child, to be a part of His plan. I am joyful and thankful that He has redeemed my lost heart and brought me to Him. I’m joyful that He invests in me and determines my steps. I’m joyful that I have my lifetime, however long that might be, to serve the Lord. Joyful to serve because He loves me and He is good, not just good, but better than what I leave behind.

Waters Gone By

The following song is one of my very favorites and will always remind me of my time in Thailand.

Waters Gone By

by Shawn Lewis

You will lift up your face without shame
You will firmly stand with no fear inside
You will surely forget your troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by

If you put away the sin in your hand
And allow no evil to dwell
If you devote your heart
And stretch out your hands to Him

You'll be secure for there is hope
And you will safely take your rest
You will lie down
With no one to make you afraid

But the eyes of the wicked will fail
Darkness gives way to morning's light
Life will be brighter than noon day
As the waters go by into the night

I will lift up my face without shame
I will firmly stand with no fear inside
I will surely forget my troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by

Are You a "Chris?"

As I have written before, after teaching classes at our government school Amy and I eat lunch with the teachers and principal. We usually spend at least an hour talking and eating. Which is a very important part of outreach in Thailand as Thais are very relational people who will not listen to those they do not know and trust. Well, this last week we had an answer to prayer. During one of our normal conversations with the principal and a visitor from the District Education Office, they asked if our organization (Hope International Schools) was a "chris." Well, we should have caught on but didn't until they said "Buddha" ... "Chris." It was at that point when we realized that they were asking if our organization was Christian. This question launched us into a conversation about whether we were Christians and the difference between Catholic and Protestant beliefs. When the principal held up his hands making a cross symbol and asking, "Array?" Amy and I were able to share with him about what the cross was and why Jesus died. I'm not sure how much he understood but I am so thankful we had the chance to open the topic. Both men had a lot of questions which is a pretty big answer to prayer. Please pray that we will be able to continue the relationship when we return to Thailand and that both men but especially the principal would recognize their need for Christ and truly seek for answers.