Betty was one of the dynamic women I met during my time in Bangkok. She lived in the BSC Community House with me and the other teachers. Many times people have commended me for serving the Lord with my youth. But, I commend Betty, for serving the Lord in her years. I asked her permission to share her story with you... so here it is, in her words.
I have always lived in America, where my husband, a pilot for American Airlines for thirty plus years and I raised our three children, saw them all marry and are now raising our eleven grandchildren in CT, CA and TX. We lived in the New England area for many years. My husband and I were originally from Arkansas and Texas, but we lived in MA, NY, CT and VT for over twenty years. In fact, I became a born-again believer while living in CT and have spent the last thirty-five years of my life falling in love with Jesus, while reading, studying, applying and teaching His word during that time.
We left CT in 1982 and returned to TX where we have lived ever since. I was widowed eight years ago, at age 65, and since that time I've been asking God to show me how I could finish my life well for Him. When I heard about the BSC last year, I felt the Lord was telling me to go to BKK and share in the ministry here. Doing this has changed my life, fulfilling Psalm 92:12 that says "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree and.... shall still bear fruit in old age..."!
A lot of people are amazed that I could leave my home, my church, my family and friends and move to a foreign country. Sometimes, I have to admit, I'm amazed myself that I am here! I have found it to be an adventure, though, meeting many new people from all parts of the world, tasting new foods, living in more crowded conditions from my present home in rural east TX, experiencing a foreign, atheistic culture with Buddha shrines everywhere, and attempting to get around in a city where my language is seldom spoken or understood. However, when God leads us to do something, He always provides the way! Nothing is too difficult for Him and with Him as my Husband (Isaiah 54:5), I have found my life here full and abundant, just as He promised us in His word.
One of the most surprising things I have learned while here is that Thailand and the other nine ASEAN countries are working together to form a coalition of Southeast Asian nations and they have chosen English as their common language. Consequently, English teachers are in great demand.
That brings me to the reason for writing to you today, especially to those who are retired, and like myself, want to finish well for The Lord. I want to encourage you to pray and ask The Lord how He wants to use you in your latter years to glorify Him. If you are healthy and have a retirement income, living costs in Thailand are very inexpensive, so your income goes three times further than in America. And since English is our native language, it is an open door for a Christian ministry.
The BSC is always looking for volunteer missionaries to teach English and to share the gospel with Thai students. These students are usually career-oriented and are here to learn the language to make themselves more marketable in the business world. They come from far and wide in their enthusiasm to learn English and God does the rest by giving us opportunities to share Christ with them.
Christianity is becoming more popular with the young people because they are seeing the futility of worshiping Buddha. As the world becomes more and more chaotic, I believe we will see even more people coming to The Lord. The fields are white for harvest and we are praying to The Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the harvest. There is no better time than now, especially for us who are getting older and wanting to finish well for our Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope that I will be able to meet some of you this side of heaven! Wouldn't it be a blessing to meet in Thailand, a land that belongs to God and one in which His Spirit is moving. May you be one of His children who desires to glorify Him with your life. To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.
Betty McClung, your sister in Christ
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We left CT in 1982 and returned to TX where we have lived ever since. I was widowed eight years ago, at age 65, and since that time I've been asking God to show me how I could finish my life well for Him. When I heard about the BSC last year, I felt the Lord was telling me to go to BKK and share in the ministry here. Doing this has changed my life, fulfilling Psalm 92:12 that says "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree and.... shall still bear fruit in old age..."!
A lot of people are amazed that I could leave my home, my church, my family and friends and move to a foreign country. Sometimes, I have to admit, I'm amazed myself that I am here! I have found it to be an adventure, though, meeting many new people from all parts of the world, tasting new foods, living in more crowded conditions from my present home in rural east TX, experiencing a foreign, atheistic culture with Buddha shrines everywhere, and attempting to get around in a city where my language is seldom spoken or understood. However, when God leads us to do something, He always provides the way! Nothing is too difficult for Him and with Him as my Husband (Isaiah 54:5), I have found my life here full and abundant, just as He promised us in His word.
One of the most surprising things I have learned while here is that Thailand and the other nine ASEAN countries are working together to form a coalition of Southeast Asian nations and they have chosen English as their common language. Consequently, English teachers are in great demand.
That brings me to the reason for writing to you today, especially to those who are retired, and like myself, want to finish well for The Lord. I want to encourage you to pray and ask The Lord how He wants to use you in your latter years to glorify Him. If you are healthy and have a retirement income, living costs in Thailand are very inexpensive, so your income goes three times further than in America. And since English is our native language, it is an open door for a Christian ministry.
The BSC is always looking for volunteer missionaries to teach English and to share the gospel with Thai students. These students are usually career-oriented and are here to learn the language to make themselves more marketable in the business world. They come from far and wide in their enthusiasm to learn English and God does the rest by giving us opportunities to share Christ with them.
Christianity is becoming more popular with the young people because they are seeing the futility of worshiping Buddha. As the world becomes more and more chaotic, I believe we will see even more people coming to The Lord. The fields are white for harvest and we are praying to The Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the harvest. There is no better time than now, especially for us who are getting older and wanting to finish well for our Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope that I will be able to meet some of you this side of heaven! Wouldn't it be a blessing to meet in Thailand, a land that belongs to God and one in which His Spirit is moving. May you be one of His children who desires to glorify Him with your life. To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.
Betty McClung, your sister in Christ
What a great, encouraging post!!! Love, Jen Woll...
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