joyful.

A little over seven weeks ago, God planted in my heart a desire to start a small group... and now I can't imagine my time here without them. What started off as me, a friend and a student, has become six (& counting!).

[L-R: Joom, Aey, Thep and I]

I love our pocket of time together on Sunday nights. It feels like home. We eat; we laugh; we dig deep; we ask questions and we grow. Some of us growing in our relationship with the Lord, some growing in their knowledge of Him, but all of us moving forward together. It's a Thai/English conglomerate with languages bouncing back and forth-- sometimes being translated, other times, not. It's not smooth or slick or "sexy"-- but we all belong. Whoever comes, whatever friends are invited (which has been someone new almost every week!), they are welcome and they are wanted.

[Aom and JJ celebrating Fall with s'mores!]

Some days here are like some days in America. You wonder if you are making a difference or an impact. You wonder if what you are doing is worthy work in service of the One who called you. And for me, Sundays are an affirmation. Week after week God shows me His faithfulness. Whether it's in providing insight into a passage, direction in what to study next, or simply in the combination of people He brings. Leading this small group is different than any I helped lead in America-- in that, as a Christian, I'm usually the minority. And, sometimes it's non-Christians who are inviting and bringing their non-Christian friends! Seriously??! That's all God. He is so good. And He gets 100% of the credit.

For those of you praying and partnering with me, please keep our small group in your prayers. Pray that His Word would be clear, that His Spirit would teach our hearts and make connections like only He can, that community would continue to grow, that conviction of sin would occur and that a deeper knowledge and understanding of our Father's grace and love would prevail!!