There are times in life which freshly set my heart ablaze and show me what a Mighty God I serve. I praise God for the people He places along my path to teach me and remind me of the truly important things in life. It strikes my heart as sad to think that so many of us live our lives in mediocrity, never looking nor expecting to see the God we serve do unimaginable things. I am ashamed as I pause and think how many times I live for myself and not the Greater Purpose, the purpose my Great God has given.
This weekend was one of those times. James and Shell Hla (an older Karen couple) invited Ashley and I up to Mae Sai, a border town of Burma and Thailand. There is a church there of mostly Karen-Burmese people which they helped to start years ago. We drove up Saturday through the mountains and arrived mid-afternoon.
On Sunday we worshipped with our Burmese/Karen brothers and sisters. While I couldn't understand the words they sang, tears came to my eyes as I felt the Holy Spirit there touching my heart despite the language barrier. They sang with such passion and soul! The Living God is truly with this congregation, and doing great things through them. I sang a song I wrote in English for them: the words go as this...
Will you go to the broken places?
Will you run through the fields of the lost?
Will you gaze at the lonely faces,
Waiting to be found?
Will you speak of your Savior Jesus?
Will you tell them of His great love?
Will you show them His endless forgiveness?
Will your life be an act of love?
CHORUS:
It's time to go, and find the broken people.
It's time to look and see beyond ourselves.
It's time to pray, for revival to be started.
It's time to be Jesus to the world.
Can you hear all the voices calling?
Can you see all the unwiped tears?
Don't you know that the world is dying?
Why do you live as if Hell's not real?
See the little girl who was raped by her father.
See the man addicted to child porn.
Both need Jesus and both are hurting.
Will you tell them salvation is here?
After singing, Ashley went up to tell the story of the pastor and his wife in California who were told they must have a permit to hold a Bible study in his own home. America, the 'Christian' nation. Bah, there is no such thing as a political Christian nation. After she shared this story I went up to give my testimony and James Hla translated.
What struck my heart especially this weekend were a niece and her uncle we sat next to during lunch. Paul and Lydia.
"Thank you for sharing your testimony," he said. "I, too, wanted to die at one time. I was a monk for five years because my father made me to be, but finally I decided I did not want to be one for any longer. My life felt meaningless. I left the monkhood against my father's wishes, and I was so depressed--but when I met Jesus Christ. I realized the purpose of life." Lydia is 27 and has not seen her own father in twenty years. His father and her mother divorced when she was two years old. Her father is a monk and doesn't know Lydia has become a Christian.
Lydia and Paul come from a tribe in Burma, a sect of the Shan tribe called the 'Kham Ti Shan' or 'Khamti Shan.' Kham Ti translates to "Golden Place." There are about 27,000 people who are part of this tribe, and only ten can read the scrolls of their people because their language is mainly spoken. They have written scrolls as already stated, but it is not an organized written language that people can learn. Learning to read the scrolls is near impossible. God is using Paul and Lydia to translate the Bible, but first they have the enormous task of organizing the language into a written one. They are working on a dictionary for their people.
What struck me about Lydia and her uncle Paul is their humility. "Thank you for taking such interest in our work, " they said... surprised that Ashley and I would be so interested in them, in their lives. Lydia told me that she once thought that because she was nothing special God couldn't use her, but then she learned that God uses the weak for important tasks to show His power. "I will bring the Gospel to my people," she said. I felt humbled in the presence of these two servants of God. The kind of work they are doing takes the utmost dedication and time, especially when they are only two of three Christians in their family. "My mom and brothers hated me at first when I became a Christian," Lydia told me. "But now they understand better." Paul's life has been threatened and people make fun of them. "People say 'how can you believe in a king who died in such a way! Some God you have for a king!"
Please pray for Lydia and Paul and their people the Kham Ti Shan.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Our First Day in Thailand
I've been here 12 days now.
This land is beautiful and exotic and much of what I thought it would be like. Stepping out of the Bangkok airport into the hot, humid air of Thailand I thought, 'I'm finally here.'
Ashley and I got a taxi outside of the airport and showed our driver the sheet with LARGE all caps letters for the address of the Bangkok Christian Guest house. I felt sure we looked like ridiculous Americans as the driver took one look at the paper with ridiculously large font, looked back at us, and laughed with a typical Thai grin on his face.
On the drive to the Guest house I tried practicing Thai phrases from my little book on the taxi driver. And once again..he laughed. We arrived late, around midnight, and had to ring the doorbell outside the gate. Through the streets to the Guest house we saw people laying on the ground, including children. Expected, but still sad.
We got up the next morning with bright eyes to see Bangkok. We found our way to the sky train which took us to the canal boats. Figuring out which sky train ticket to buy was interesting. I felt like such a child not being able to speak the language, but we figured it out all the same. After getting off the sky train we made our way to the canal boats, bought a ticket, and got in. There were several interesting sights to see along the canal. People washing themselves, beautiful temples or buildings right next to slum looking homes, the Royal Thai Navy, temples.
After getting off the canal boat we walked through the street markets and vendors towards the Grand Palace. When we crossed the street there were some Thai officials giving information to tourists. But the first thing they said to us was, "Oh ma'ams, please do not touch the monks. It is forbidden. When you see a monk--be careful to give him distance." Ashley and I looked at each other thinking, 'When did we touch a monk?' But we just smiled politely and said, "Oh, we're sorry," right as we watched a monk walk past. The officials also informed us that it was a Buddhist holiday and ferangs (foreigners) weren't allowed in the Palace until 1:30 p.m. So they flagged down a tuk-tuk for us and gave him 4 different places to drive us around Bangkok.
I have to say riding in the tuk-tuk was a highlight. The thrill of weaving through the streets feeling like my life could end at any moment was just grand, lol. Don't worry, I don't want my life to end. It was just kind of an adrenaline rush not being used to the driving in Thailand.
He brought us back to the Grand Palace around 1:30. As we walked in through the back entrance a guide walked up very enthusiastically and said, "Hello Ma'ams, would you like a tour guide for 200 baht each?" We looked at each other and said, "Sure, why not?" Tony led us through the paths and told us about the different stories of each building or figure. One actually does not go inside the buildings, except for the Emerald Buddha temple. But each building is so carefully designed and everything is covered in 24 K gold. I have pictures in the Bangkok album on my facebook if you'd like to see what I mean.
We came back to the Guest House and sat down with a couple of Cokes. I think Jet lag was finally hitting us. We had a train to Chiang Mai to catch at 7:30. We told the front desk and they said, "Oh, we can reserve a taxi for you." But around 6:30 it started pouring rain and apparently there was a traffic jam. It was looking like we would have to walk in the rain to the subway with our three big bags of luggage. We started walking, but a the two workers helping us carry our luggage saw a taxi and he stopped. Unfortunately after we got in and he started driving we were also in the traffic jam. We weren't sure we were going to make the train! But we arrived at the station and he worriedly looked at us and said, "Okay, you go now." Translation: you better hurry.
This land is beautiful and exotic and much of what I thought it would be like. Stepping out of the Bangkok airport into the hot, humid air of Thailand I thought, 'I'm finally here.'
Ashley and I got a taxi outside of the airport and showed our driver the sheet with LARGE all caps letters for the address of the Bangkok Christian Guest house. I felt sure we looked like ridiculous Americans as the driver took one look at the paper with ridiculously large font, looked back at us, and laughed with a typical Thai grin on his face.
On the drive to the Guest house I tried practicing Thai phrases from my little book on the taxi driver. And once again..he laughed. We arrived late, around midnight, and had to ring the doorbell outside the gate. Through the streets to the Guest house we saw people laying on the ground, including children. Expected, but still sad.
We got up the next morning with bright eyes to see Bangkok. We found our way to the sky train which took us to the canal boats. Figuring out which sky train ticket to buy was interesting. I felt like such a child not being able to speak the language, but we figured it out all the same. After getting off the sky train we made our way to the canal boats, bought a ticket, and got in. There were several interesting sights to see along the canal. People washing themselves, beautiful temples or buildings right next to slum looking homes, the Royal Thai Navy, temples.
After getting off the canal boat we walked through the street markets and vendors towards the Grand Palace. When we crossed the street there were some Thai officials giving information to tourists. But the first thing they said to us was, "Oh ma'ams, please do not touch the monks. It is forbidden. When you see a monk--be careful to give him distance." Ashley and I looked at each other thinking, 'When did we touch a monk?' But we just smiled politely and said, "Oh, we're sorry," right as we watched a monk walk past. The officials also informed us that it was a Buddhist holiday and ferangs (foreigners) weren't allowed in the Palace until 1:30 p.m. So they flagged down a tuk-tuk for us and gave him 4 different places to drive us around Bangkok.
I have to say riding in the tuk-tuk was a highlight. The thrill of weaving through the streets feeling like my life could end at any moment was just grand, lol. Don't worry, I don't want my life to end. It was just kind of an adrenaline rush not being used to the driving in Thailand.
He brought us back to the Grand Palace around 1:30. As we walked in through the back entrance a guide walked up very enthusiastically and said, "Hello Ma'ams, would you like a tour guide for 200 baht each?" We looked at each other and said, "Sure, why not?" Tony led us through the paths and told us about the different stories of each building or figure. One actually does not go inside the buildings, except for the Emerald Buddha temple. But each building is so carefully designed and everything is covered in 24 K gold. I have pictures in the Bangkok album on my facebook if you'd like to see what I mean.
We came back to the Guest House and sat down with a couple of Cokes. I think Jet lag was finally hitting us. We had a train to Chiang Mai to catch at 7:30. We told the front desk and they said, "Oh, we can reserve a taxi for you." But around 6:30 it started pouring rain and apparently there was a traffic jam. It was looking like we would have to walk in the rain to the subway with our three big bags of luggage. We started walking, but a the two workers helping us carry our luggage saw a taxi and he stopped. Unfortunately after we got in and he started driving we were also in the traffic jam. We weren't sure we were going to make the train! But we arrived at the station and he worriedly looked at us and said, "Okay, you go now." Translation: you better hurry.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Courage?
Dear friend,
Tonight I was sitting out on our porch enjoying the evening air, clear sky, and God's creation in general. I live on a corner that is surrounded by trees so it still feels secluded and peaceful. But tonight as I was talking to God...two very strange things happened. First, a truck drove by and slowed way down, stopping at the corner. Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched? It's very unnerving. I wished I had turned the porch light off. Then, maybe ten minutes later, I started hearing footsteps approaching and immediately stopped talking out loud (I'm sure I looked like a crazy woman talking to herself).
I looked out into the street and it was a leather-jacketed man slowly walking by. I don't know why, but my heart went straight to my stomach and I felt scared. But, I decided the best thing to do was make eye contact so whoever he was he knew that I saw him. Plus, eye contact apparently intimidates, according to the experts :) So I watched this guy for a while, but then looked back down at my journal. I looked up again and he wasn't there anymore! I knew it had not been enough time for him to walk all the way around the corner, and at this time I felt a sense of dread. Did he go into the trees? What happened?
I saw that he was standing in the street behind the tree in our yard...just standing there. I couldn't tell if he was watching me, but I kept staring...giving him my most intense look (which in reality probably looks ridiculous) I could and prayed. Finally, after what seemed a while, he turns back around and starts walking in the direction he came from. I was tempted to go back in the house, but knew I would feel cowardly if I did. So I grabbed my Bible and read some Psalms and Isaiah passages loudly in case he was still nearby. These strange occurrences tonight caused me to wonder why I should fear sitting on my own porch enjoying God's creation? Why I have to even worry about these things? It's so frustrating to be a female sometimes! I don't always know the difference between cowardice and common sense.
Sometimes I wonder what courage is? I've always wanted to be seen as a brave woman with an adventurous spirit, but there are times I just plain feel scared. When I was little my dad taught me a verse to say when I was scared; it was Psalm 56:3.
"When I am afraid I will trust in You."
I would lay in bed sometimes as a child with my imagination going a thousand different places--convinced that something was in my room, that there were evil people outside my window, that E.T. was going to come and murder me (my brother Jonathan convinced me that aliens were real), etc. I would shut my eyes tightly, draw the covers close, and clench my fists saying that verse over and over again. "When I am afraid I will trust in You. When I am afraid I will trust in You. When I am afraid I WILL TRUST YOU!" My fearful feelings would not go away, but I would fall asleep choosing to believe that my God would watch over me.
"But YOU, O Lord, are a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head...I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about...In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for YOU alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety."
~Psalm 3:3,6, 8
Tonight I was sitting out on our porch enjoying the evening air, clear sky, and God's creation in general. I live on a corner that is surrounded by trees so it still feels secluded and peaceful. But tonight as I was talking to God...two very strange things happened. First, a truck drove by and slowed way down, stopping at the corner. Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched? It's very unnerving. I wished I had turned the porch light off. Then, maybe ten minutes later, I started hearing footsteps approaching and immediately stopped talking out loud (I'm sure I looked like a crazy woman talking to herself).
I looked out into the street and it was a leather-jacketed man slowly walking by. I don't know why, but my heart went straight to my stomach and I felt scared. But, I decided the best thing to do was make eye contact so whoever he was he knew that I saw him. Plus, eye contact apparently intimidates, according to the experts :) So I watched this guy for a while, but then looked back down at my journal. I looked up again and he wasn't there anymore! I knew it had not been enough time for him to walk all the way around the corner, and at this time I felt a sense of dread. Did he go into the trees? What happened?
I saw that he was standing in the street behind the tree in our yard...just standing there. I couldn't tell if he was watching me, but I kept staring...giving him my most intense look (which in reality probably looks ridiculous) I could and prayed. Finally, after what seemed a while, he turns back around and starts walking in the direction he came from. I was tempted to go back in the house, but knew I would feel cowardly if I did. So I grabbed my Bible and read some Psalms and Isaiah passages loudly in case he was still nearby. These strange occurrences tonight caused me to wonder why I should fear sitting on my own porch enjoying God's creation? Why I have to even worry about these things? It's so frustrating to be a female sometimes! I don't always know the difference between cowardice and common sense.
Sometimes I wonder what courage is? I've always wanted to be seen as a brave woman with an adventurous spirit, but there are times I just plain feel scared. When I was little my dad taught me a verse to say when I was scared; it was Psalm 56:3.
"When I am afraid I will trust in You."
I would lay in bed sometimes as a child with my imagination going a thousand different places--convinced that something was in my room, that there were evil people outside my window, that E.T. was going to come and murder me (my brother Jonathan convinced me that aliens were real), etc. I would shut my eyes tightly, draw the covers close, and clench my fists saying that verse over and over again. "When I am afraid I will trust in You. When I am afraid I will trust in You. When I am afraid I WILL TRUST YOU!" My fearful feelings would not go away, but I would fall asleep choosing to believe that my God would watch over me.
"But YOU, O Lord, are a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head...I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about...In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for YOU alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety."
~Psalm 3:3,6, 8
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