6: jum

Matt took over leading small group this evening and it was a great evening discussing Jesus. After group finished, Aom and Jum stayed after to talk for a while. I joined them, and I have some news I want to share with you all (with Jum's permission).

Many of you have been praying for Jum as she reads through the Bible-- that it would be transformational in her life. Well, God has heard your prayers! Through reading the Word, being involved in small group, going to church (with some of the IMB folks who help at the BSC), conversations and relationships-- God has been revealing the Truth to Jum.

Tonight she shared with Aom and I that over Father's Day, she went to her hometown and talked to her parents about her desire to become a Christian! Her parents (praise God!) were both receptive. They said that whatever she decided was okay with them. This is a huge praise, because in Thai culture, changing your religion from Buddhism is sometimes seen as disrespectful to your parents (because they believe your parents accumulate more "good karma" for having good Buddhist children).

A couple from the IMB (Jill & Tim) has been very involved in investing spiritually in her for the past few years as well. She said she wants to talk to them this week and then "officially" become a Christian. (I say "officially" only because she is waiting to pray with them... and she considers that time to be when she will officially commit to be a Christian. But she has already expressed her intent and confessed that she believes that Jesus died, was buried and rose again.) And I just can't wait until it's "official" to share the good news and implore you to keep lifting her up in your prayers.

On Aug 18th I wrote, "I have been praying for God to place an unsaved Thai woman in my life for me to invest in... and I think He may have answered that prayer!" I can say with confidence that that woman was Jum. If getting to build that relationship and spiritually invest in her life was the only investment I made while here, it was worth it.

To see her journey from being a staunch, devout Buddhist to being softened by the Word has been incredible. John MacArthur said that, "The Bible is like a Lion. You don't have to defend it - just let it out of its cage. It can defend itself." I feel like when God is working on the hearts of His creation to draw them to Himself, the best argument for Him, is His Word! Jum has been tearing up the Word. Before tonight, she had texted me a couple times expressing that she can't put it down and every time she reads it she believes more and more about God. Praise God for the power of His message and Word. And Praise God for all your prayers! Don't stop!

[Our after-after small group this evening. Love these ladies!]

13: on building a community

For a great re-cap of my small group's trip to Koh Kret today, check out Steph's post! [click here]. A big "amen!" on all that she wrote and shared.

Our small group (minus the three who weren't able to make it):

[Back L-R: JJ, Steph, Onn, Thep, Front L-R: Aom, Me, Nicha, Jum, Aey]

Here are a few of the things God's taught me in the past 4-ish months of leading this wonderful small group...

- Never underestimate the importance of consistency. Sometimes we had only one or two people come, but we would still meet. Consistency communicates that each person is important and valuable and worth investing in.

- Take time to be a community. This thought was first introduced to me by my college pastor, Doug. Yes, small group is first and foremost about the glory of God through learning and studying His Word. However, a well timed trip or outing to break the routine allows for friends to be invited and integrated into the group... It also reinforces the philosophy that you are a family. As Christians, we are more than just "Bible learners," we are people. And the group needs to see that, too!

- Be generous. Especially in Thailand, to be generous is to care. As a leader and a member of the group, being generous is a way to show investment. Celebrate together: birthdays, accomplishments, spiritual birthdays, etc. Give gifts or give time, but give generously. As I was reminded recently while reading in Romans, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..." (13:8a). Create love-debts within your group!

- Push through the awkward. I started learning this lesson about two years ago when confronted by Doug about my inclination to bail out of uncomfortable conversations (Agh! There was a pause in the conversation, I'm out of things to talk about, better go, bye!). I'm still far from proficiency, but Thailand has given me a lot of practice in this area! Your relationships will have awkward moments because we're all a little awkward at heart. Don't let it deter you from continuing to pursue the conversation. You never know what sort of a lovely conversation you might have once you push through the awkward. People notice if you care enough to keep conversing.

- Value the friends of your group! God has grown our group entirely by the friend-invites (and friend of friend invites) of our original two members. When friends are brought, include them, invest in them, and treat them well. Nothing makes someone want to invite more friends, than when the friend they did invite is included and valued.

- And lastly, and also foundationally, have some people commit to pray for your group. For those of you who have been specifically praying for this small group since my first post on it August 18th, thank you! God is hearing and honoring and answering your prayers! Please don't stop :) There are still a lot of transitions ahead for the group, and we need your continued prayers.

14: blessed

Occasionally, I have fleeting moments of guilt when I have experiences ripped straight from the pages of National Geographic or the Lonely Planet Guide. Here I am, half-way around the world, a missionary (admit it, you just imagined a mud hut and bucket shower)... But in this journey, I have also been given singularly incredible opportunities to revel in God's magnificent creation.

Yesterday in my quiet time, I read the following verse from 1 Timothy 6:17b, "...Put [your] hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I think that as long as God is in His proper place, as the giver and provider of the beauty in His creation, it's okay to enjoy it. In fact, he wants us to! Pastor Doug used to always pray that "God would enjoy watching us enjoy His creation." Well, enjoy it, we did!

Today I had the privilege of spending the whole day with three of the folks in my small group and one of their friends in the Lopburi province.

[L-R: Jum, Jo, Aey, Thep and I]

The day started off visiting an area famous for their beautiful sunflowers. We found out upon arrival that we were a week early... but some of the flowers had bloomed, so we took advantage of them in our photo op!

After that, we had lunch on a canal... actually on the canal. 

[The "bridge" to our floating lunch]

[Jum, Aey and her husband, Thep and I]

[Finished... and full!]

After that, we went to a dam, where I purchased some fresh sunflower seeds (if you come to Spotswood on Dec. 15th, maybe I'll share!). Then it was off to our unplanned dayscursion adventure at... Monkey Temple! I'm not sure why "give a monkey a piggy back ride" never made it on my bucket list... (what was I thinking!??) It's now there and checked off.

The highlight of my day was definitely the wonderful company I was with... but the monkeys were a close second! ;)

[The Guardian of Monkey Temple] 

[Jum and the baby monkeys. They were in search of new friends... or more food!]

[Jo and the monkeys]

[They were everywhere... on the streets outside, climbing poles, in apartment windows, crazy!]

[I was taking a picture of some of the monkeys when this one jumped on my leg!]

[Monkeys got the memo, free rides for all!]

Can I just reiterate how happy I am that God made monkeys? What a lovely lot of creatures. I am so thankful for the sweet friends God has given me here, who treated me to such an incredible day. I am so blessed.

Prayer Request: Our entire small group will be going to spend the afternoon together tomorrow (Sunday). Please pray that God would open up conversations about Himself, and that He would continue to bind us together as a group. I am hoping this trip will really help them to connect with Matt and Alli, as they'll be leading once I leave.

praises.

Thank you so much for your prayers regarding Hua Hin, Mae Sot and so many other things, areas, and relationships. I know that God is answering your prayers because He's doing things I haven't prayed about!! I don't want you ever to feel like you don't know how God is working through your prayers for Thailand, so, here it is: more proof that our God answers prayers :)

Hua Hin

- God has been blessing the relationships built at camp... seven people came to our Friday night program at LifePoint! And others have expressed an interest in getting together in the near future.
- Also, while we were at camp, almost every member of our team was able to share some of our stories and the Gospel. We had so many open doors and opportunities. God is good!
- To read more about Hua Hin from Steph's perspective, [click here]

[Chula friends at LifePoint's "Fear Factor/Costume" Night! I'm the blue cartoon: "Doraemon"]

Mae Sot

- From surprise visits to the clinic to drop-in visitors, this trip was chock full of the unexpected. However, God knew ahead of time exactly what would happen in the three days we were there, and His timing is perfect! (For example: Steph and I being there to help teach classes, freed up teachers who needed to make clinic visits.) From the supplies we brought, to the lessons we taught, God was there.
- And, the lovely Karen children all have nice new pens, compliments of Spotswood (the team brought them during their 2012 trip).
- To read more about our trip, you can check out Steph's post [click here]

[Thailand, and across the river, Burma/Myanmar]

LifePoint

- God is continuing to bring new people through our doors and grant us favor in building relationships. Every week we have new people stopping in for English classes, our Friday programs and Comm110 English classes. It's not about the numbers; it's about being responsible with the people God has placed in our lives. While we never do it as perfectly as we wish... God has been busy producing fruit in the mean time. So, to Him alone be the glory!

[Comm110 ministry] 

[Unite: BKK "Engineering Night"]

Odds and Ends

- God continues to give me opportunities to love and serve through tutoring and relationships outside of the class and the church. While I haven't arrived (not even close!), it's encouraging and exciting to spend time with people outside of "events" and "schedules".

- God is also keeping us safe, even when we forget to pray for safety! We've been traveling a lot, with plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong... but God has kept us safe (even from a little moto- incident that occurred while Steph and I were crossing the street). 

- In small group, I have been keeping track of everyone's prayer request... and so far God has answered all but one (which is still TBD). What a wonderful testimony to the personal and involved nature of our God.

[Some of the lovely women I tutor weekly]

[Visiting some ruins in the old capital city of Thailand]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your fearless prayers. They are being heard, and they are being answered-- for our good and the Father's glory!

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!!

small group.

Hello sweet friends and family, 

I love being able to write to you and share what is happening here through the Lord's work (and your investment) in my life. I wish I could sit down and write each of you individually, or better yet, just have you all come to Thailand to glimpse what you are a part of! I guess we'll just have to wait until we're with the Lord to have that moment together. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your relentless prayers for both me and the Thais that God has placed in my life.

I just wanted to update you all on a new development in my life here, and ask for your specific prayer. I have started leading a LifePoint small group and we meet at Phaya Thai on Sunday evenings. Tonight was the first night, and while only two girls came, I truly believe it was exactly who God wanted there. I have been praying for God to place an unsaved Thai woman in my life for me to invest in... and I think He may have answered that prayer!

We will spend a few weeks discussing "Who is God?" and then move on to "Who is man?" "Who is Jesus?" and "What is our response?" (Sound like the Gospel? Haha... good!) I don't know what God will do, or who He will bring to this study.... But as long the Holy Spirit keeps teaching, it will be an incredible next few months.

Please pray for my heart and relationship with the Lord to remain the priority- that I will not become so caught up in being a Martha that I stop being a Mary. Pray that the Holy Spirit would speak through me... and would continue to encourage and convict and teach these girls, even after they leave small group. Pray for the friends they want to invite (one of the girls is planning to invite her Muslim friend next week). And please pray, above all, that the Name of God would be lifted high, and that His light would continue to shine brilliantly in this dark place.

Love, Liz