beach.

I know that the life of the missionary should be "rough". After all, serving the Lord means living a life of dying to self, suffering for the sake of the Gospel, and the abdication of all earthly possessions, right? It almost makes me feel guilty at times to be doing missions in a country where I have electricity,  a western toilet, and a real bed with A/C. (Does this even count as "missions?")

Regardless, one of the things I have learned, under Pastor Doug and Pastor David (LifePoint) is that God loves blessing His children. God loves seeing us enjoy His gifts, His goodness, His creation, and having that enjoyment reflect back in worship to Him.

All that pre-amble to say... God gave us a really neat opportunity to go to south Thailand (Phuket) for a 4-day beach trip with two of our Thai friends, Noo & Aom. We were able to have some time to decompress, relax, recharge, and wonder at what our God has made!

Noo & Aom planned a fabulous trip on a shoe-string budget, and took wonderful care of us as we travelled the country! Here are a few pictures from our time in Phuket...

[Off to Phuket! Claire, Noo, Aom, Laura, Dani]

[Beautiful water!]

[Aom and I before our first snorkeling excursion]

[Phi Phi Island... idyllic]

[Egg Island, another marine rich snorkeling spot!]

[Sunset on Kata Beach on our last day]

But lest you think the whole trip was honky-dory, (or get too jealous), I want to share with you a little mishap from our first day at Karon Beach. When selecting our hotels, we found that Karon Beach was rated the "nicest" and also was the least seedy spot for tourists, so our first day we were quite eager to hit the sand and soak up some sun. After a couple minutes in the water, however, our fellow missionary, Dani, started twitching. And scratching. We asked her what was wrong and she said that there were sea lice... Sea. Lice.

If you're like me, you're imagining all kinds of terrible things (and opening another tab to WebMD it). Being infested, sheet washings, special shampoo and body soaps, bite marks... But Dani assured us that all they did was bite ("All they did"). Well, we stayed in the water for a grand total of 10 minutes before our entire bodies were assaulted by their tiny mouths (and teeth!). They are invisible, hurt like the dickens, and were everywhere. So we proceeded to return to shore and spend the remainder of the day sweating it out under umbrellas... braving the water only for brief interludes to splash off. 

I have to think that these bugs are seasonal, else I can't imagine anyone going to or recommending this beach. But Dani assured us that the other beaches would be fine, & thankfully, they were! Here are the beautiful, but infested waters from Day 1:

Thailand prides itself in being a "free country." And indeed, there are hardly the precautions and restrictions that we are so fond of in America. While boating, lifejackets (and really everything) was optional. As the Thais say, "Up to you, na!" So, when the boat stopped and they said we could jump off the boat, Laura and I did. No waivers, no warnings, just "jump!". So, from the top of our double decker boat we leaped. And again. And again.

We also had the opportunity to canoe and walk through some caves (which involved wading through knee-high water at parts...). This was one of my highlights. The caves were absolutely beautiful, and crawling through them to emerge in a little enclave of greenery and bright skies was incredible.

Having time to reflect, think and get some space was a welcome relief. As extroverted as I am, it is nice from time to time to simply lay on the beach and listen to the water with only the company of my own thoughts. I also was able to swim some laps in the ocean, have an afternoon run on the beach, and eat my body weight in pineapple and watermelon!

It was also really valuable time to be able to spend time with Noo & Aom and get to know them better, and have late night chats with my lovely room-mate, Laura.

[Laura & I at "The Beach" Beach]

[Aom, Noo & I at the place where they filmed part of James Bond: Man with the Golden Gun!]

For those of you who have donated specifically to the "do something fun while you're in Thailand" cause... thank you! The past four days were a huge blessing and encouragement and you were a part of that. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the photos from our trip!

mailing things.

There has been some confusion as to whether or not people in the States can send things to Thailand. As my own mother was confused, I thought I'd post something brief to say-- YES! Yes, you can send anything (apart from guns, explosives, cash, and aerosols, you know, the usual banned items). If you wanted to send a letter or package, my mailing address is:

Attn: John Lapos
Liz Swauger
P.O. Box 832
Bangkok 10501
Thailand

And, just know that it does take a while for things to get here, so if it's a month later and I haven't thanked you or mentioned it-- it's probably just because I haven't gotten it yet. It takes about 2-3 weeks for our mail to reach the US, but I've heard it takes around 1-2 months for US mail to reach here.

So should you find a few moments, I would love to hear from you (in any format, written & mailed or electronic)!

[month four]

I feel like I just wrote my "month three" post... It's hard to believe it's time for another one already!

This morning I was able to catch up on a lot of the correspondence that has fallen to the wayside over the past few weeks. It was so refreshing to block off a chunk of time and be able to write real emails to folks and catch them up a bit on life here. I love getting mail and I do try to be responsible and reply to it all. In addition to catching up on emails, I also dropped off my absentee ballot, went for a run and painted half of my fingernails. What more could you want from a day off?

...Besides getting caught up on laundry. My room looks like the laundry monster threw up all over it. (In my defense, I am currently sharing one washer/dryer with 13 other people!) But today, today is also the day it all gets washed, and, if I'm feeling ambitious, perhaps even folded and put away.

Running and training for the Half-Marathon is going well. Some days are really hard, but I am making progress and I count every long-run completed as a total miracle! I'm in my 14th week of training, with only 5 weeks until the race. If you would like to sponsor my run (which is to benefit the Kelley's adoption) click here to read more! My goal is to raise $500, and as of today, almost $300 has already been pledged!

Term 6 ended on Saturday and we have three weeks before the next term starts (although two of those weeks I'll be busy with mini-course). This term was different from others because the majority of my time was spent tutoring rather than in a classroom setting. It was a nice change of pace and I love having that opportunity to get to know students on an individual basis.

[Some snapshots from the first week of mini-course]

I finished my first "pleasure read" since I arrive in Thailand... The Hobbit. Wan, one of the girls I tutor, wanted to practice reading, so I picked the book! While we didn't get through it all during our time, I did finish it on my own. The last time I read it was when I was in middle school, so it was like reading it for the first time. I'm looking forward to the first movie installment coming out this December!

So, there's a little update on Liz. Overall, I'm very happy here! God is teaching me so much about myself, ministry and what it means to love others. I love having Laura and Claire with me as well... it has been wonderful to be able to process and grow with them. While I can't believe we're 1/3 through our first year here, I am so grateful for all that God has done and is doing. Please keep us in your prayers, and thank you so much for your continued support and partnership!

[Some of our Thai, American & Australian friends at the BSC... after one of the Friday Night Programs]

mini-course.

God is so good. I love saying that. I love saying it even more after He shows me His goodness in a new way. Mini-course has been one of these things hanging over my head since I found out about it... What is it? No one could give me a clear answer. "Hundreds of kids," they said. "Chaotic, unruly," they continued. "No structure, good luck!" they finished up. "They" freaked me out a little! Today was my first day and granted, it had moments of crazy, and there were hundreds of kids, but I am grateful that all of those things are within the control of my God.

In the weeks leading up to mini-course, I was a bit at a loss... after all, how does one prepare for something so seemingly foreign? God convicted me to really pray about it. To pray over what specifically I would teach, even down to the games we would play. So, not expecting too much, I did. And He really shined. Of course I was nervous, after all I haven't been trained, I don't speak Thai, there are so many reasons I'm not really qualified to do this... But Jesus was a teacher. And He loved kids. And He knew exactly what needed to happen today, and He did it.

There have been so many of these little faith moments since I have been here. Times when I am forced to hold out my hands to my Father and say, "If you don't give me ___, I have nothing." Francis Chan has a great quote in Crazy Love that keeps coming back to my heart:

"God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through." 

It is sooo hard to willingly (or unwillingly) be put in situations where my only option is reliance on the provision and wisdom of God. When I'm just not clever enough, or creative enough, or talented enough, or fill-in-the-blank enough on my own... and the only one who is is Christ. Despite it being difficult and feeling a little uncomfortable, (you try being completely powerless over something, and see if it's not unnerving!) I think it's a good place to be.

Laura and I had a really good conversation a few weeks ago about how we can grow in our faith. How can we become more strong and bold and courageous in our faith- both practically and in prayer? I think the way this happens is through little faith steps. Moments when we let go of the assurance that our talents and giftings give us, and let God show up instead. Yes, of course He gives us skills to use and glorify Him with... but they are just a tool, it is still Christ who is to be fully relied upon.

Thailand is helping me realize more and more that I am not capable and not able; I am not good or loving or talented. But He is. Every day I am reminded that I am not great, but my prayer is that this realization will cause my view of God to be greater. Me being "stronger in my faith", means rooting out those areas where I rely on self, so that Christ can be Lord there instead. It's not really becoming stronger at all, it's identifying and recognizing more areas of weakness- which will then breed a greater dependency on God. Maybe that is why Paul could write:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Cor. 12:9-10

Thank you, to all who have been praying for mini-course. And for those of you who haven't, no fear, this is week one of three, so there's still plenty of time!!

fall and what-not.

I know it's been a while since my last post, but Fall has been on my mind... so I had to give it a proper tribute before moving on to other things.

There is something so beautiful about the heat of summer losing its edge and the cool nights creeping in to cool the day. The leaves bursting with colors and falling, crisping, being collected. Cider available at every store, powdered donuts, cinnamon, browns and burnt oranges.

Even if you don't carve a pumpkin, decorate your porch with hay or eat fresh corn on the cob, it's all still there to observe and enjoy. Sometimes things coming to an end is peaceful... Nature wrapping up before the winter sets in.

[source: nostalgic-wanderlust] 

It's not anything like that here. No warm Fall glaze casting a filter over Bangkok. Here it is endless summer. Some days are warmer than others, but every day is hot, punctuated only by the near-daily rains. Seasons seem non-existant, although those who have been here longer are accustomed to the nuanced shift from rainy season to dry season, with a brief interlude between called "winter".

I do love it here and the weather has grown on me a bit. It is not nearly so oppressive as it was when I first arrived. I've been assured that rainy season is the most pleasant of the seasons and that I'll be wishing it back once the heat index hits 117 and there is no rain for months. And yet, I do feel twinges of homesickness when I see folks back home enjoying the culture of Fall.

This has forced me to put on my metaphorical apron and start being inventive on how to bring Fall here. It's my day off today, and the rain cancelled my long-run, so I've been getting work done in my room. Currently, my toaster oven is heating up a pot with a mixture of cinnamon and other spices in it. The smell of Fall has now successfully permeated everything in my room, including me.

I've also invested in some stock-baking items and organized a couple of my shelves into a make-shift kitchen. There are very few ovens in Thailand, so learning to cook/bake by toaster oven is necessary... if you want to use it for anything more than a glorified potpourri warmer. By the end of this year, I may not be the best cook around, but I can guarantee I'll be much more inventive than when I arrived!

Well, that's all for now. I hope you make time to enjoy this season... And please crunch on some leaves in my memory!!

"What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." -Ecc. 3:9-13 

FNL.

Tonight is Friday. Fridays mean Friday Night Life. It's a weekly ministry that the teachers at the BSC are a part of (music, games, English lessons)-- and tonight we were discussing emphatic stress (which is really irrelevant to this post, but now you know!). The goal of each English lesson is to link the lesson to a topic that can be used for spiritual conversations. I won't bore you with everything that got us to this point, but at the end the question was, who loves you the most?

We broke our big circle into small groups of 3-5. Each person shared with their group who loved them the most and why. When it was my turn, I shared that while my family loves me very much, and has sacrificed a lot for me, that God loves me more than even they do. God loved me enough to allow His Son to die, so that I could have a relationship with Him.

One of the men (I will refer to him as J), asked if I really did feel that God loved me. I said yes; I do know and feel His love for me. Then he said something that struck me. He said, "I cannot say Buddha loves me."

Among many other differences between Christianity and Buddhism, this one really is glaring. Buddha did not die for anyone. He did not love the world. He did not desire a relationship with us. Buddhists pray to Buddha in hope that he will listen or answer, but they have no assurance. They are offered no relationship.

I am so thankful to have a Father who loves demonstratively and who is "...not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He is a God who is known and can be known and he is a God who desires his creation to know Him.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

-Romans 5:6-8

rainy days.

Well, it's rainy season, and every day it seems a little more wet than the day before. This week we've had some really terrible lightening storms. Today was the first day that the rain held off, but around 7:00 pm it cut loose again. Flash floods are a big problem in Thailand because everything is concrete and there's no place for drain-off. I took the BTS home from Bible Study this evening, and when I got off was greeted with this:

[Caddy corner to the BSC, the water in the streets is knee-high, and the sidewalks are completely submerged]

[Looking down from the BTS]

[The water almost reached the BTS steps]

[Getting ready to cross the street]

[Crossing the street]

So, that's the Monday night excitement straight to you from Bangkok, Thailand!

spiritual things.

For the past two weeks I have been trying to write about some of the things that have been going on in my heart and head as they relate to Buddhism and observations I have had. Every time I sit down to write, though, I can't articulate all the things I want to say. Laura nailed it, however, and she has given me permission to share a portion of her post on my blog. So, here it is, from her mouth-- but both of our hearts.

- - - -

[excerpt from Laura's blog, click here to read her full post]

There is God, and those who belong to Him, and then there is everyone else, who are under the authority of the ruler of the earth.

There is no middle ground - there are those people and places that are for God's glory, and then there is everything and everyone who are against Him.

As I mentioned in my last blog, this land has been given over to idol worship for thousands of years, and there are real demonic strongholds here. The Thai form of Buddhism is very wrapped up in animism and ancestral worship, and rituals take place daily that invite "spirits" into their bodies, their temples, and their spirit houses. I finally realized - these prayers and offerings are not being given to no one and nothing, but to a very real presence, and it is a presence that strongly opposes the work of my Lord.

It is for this reason that prayer has become increasingly important. Every spirit house, every Wat - of which there are so, so very many - is a reminder that although Christ defeated the enemy on the cross, that victory has not yet been applied to everything and everyone, as it will be at the time of his second coming.

It is my role, as an ambassador for Him, to be a distributor of that victory for which He gave His life.

Every interaction I have with someone in which Jesus is represented, every prayer that is offered up, is pushing back against the evil one's forces through the power of my Savior. Hell has no power when confronted with the power of the King.

It is for this reason, also, that your prayers are so important. First, for your own spiritual protection. As American Christians, we seem to have a different perception of spiritual warfare - we discount it's importance, fierceness, and sometimes even its reality. While Satan cannot touch those whom the Holy Spirit has sealed and cannot cause us to lose our salvation, he can tempt us and intimidate us in an attempt to draw us away from the Lord. He has been successful to do so in my life again and again and it is for one reason - I was not praying. This is not to say that prayer will prevent you from sinning ever again in your life, but it will certainly open up your eyes to the things unseen, connect you to the heart of the Father so that you can discern the difference between His voice and the voices of others, and cause your desires to become like His desires. These are all things that Scripture tells us.

Secondly, for the spiritual protection of your brothers and sisters. The Scriptures also tell us (in 1 Kings and Daniel), that the Lord dispatches angels at His followers' request. Go to battle on behalf of others, and ask God to send angels to battle the oppression of the evil one. I say this partially out of selfish motives - if I could convey exactly what happened last week or felt that I should, I would convince you how much I really need your prayers! There is real oppression here, and it's unlike anything I've ever been exposed to. Please pray that I would stand, that I would not be intimidated, and that I would walk in the confidence of the One who saved me from darkness.

Third, pray for Thailand. This video is a great way to pray through the different issues, and has images that will help you to understand what Thai Buddhism is all about.

Praying for Southeast Asian Buddhists. from SEASIAN PEOPLES on Vimeo.

[month three]

On short term mission trips, events are planned for you, projects are scheduled, and life is pretty formatted (even down to what you wear on which day...). But living in Thailand is not like that at all. Since I am here for a year, I really am building a life. I am investing in people, learning the language, working to understand the culture and assimilate to all things "Thai-style". Soon after I arrived, I thought I had arrived. I thought I had things mostly figured out... but culture shock is sneaky like that. Sometimes the force of it doesn't impact you right away. I've now officially lived here three months, and two things I can say with certainty are: 1. I know far more than I did three months ago, and 2. I still don't know very much.

I would like to share some of the things I am learning in (what seems like) a perpetual negotiation of where I am, where I want to be, and how Thailand fits into it all.

Western and Eastern thought really do clash in a lot of ways (can I say such a thing with only having been here three months?). The challenge I am finding is learning how to operate effectively and healthily within this new context. I can't expect everything to work like it does in America. It doesn't, and it won't. However, I do believe that God has given me gifts and that those can be used to improve small areas over which I am responsible.

In college, if I wanted to be involved in a club, all I had to do was sign my name to a clip-board and a flurry of emails would be sent. I would probably be personally contacted and a list of ways to connect to the club would be at my fingertips in written and electronic formats. At Church, if someone even overheard you whisper that you wanted to volunteer, or were willing, then a phone call was made to follow up with you. That's the Western Way. We have the spots and slots well oiled, and the plan to put you in them down to a T.

It's not the same here. It's not that people don't want help, or that ministries are complete (that is not the case!), but there isn't always a clear way to go about physically connecting. If you want to be involved with something, it's up to you to figure out how to go about doing it.

Two missionaries have mentioned to me that they believe communication, or miscommunication, rather, is an area that Satan has a spiritual stronghold in this country. You don't have to be here long to realize that communication is a definite area of deficit-- across the board. And as long as this is the case, it will be hard for the Gospel to advance here. Please be in prayer for Thailand in this area specifically.

So where am I in all this? Where am I fitting in with ministry here?

One of the needs of the BSC, which I have felt burdened to assist with is in its service to new teachers. There currently isn't a clear on-boarding/orientation process and a lot of the material is out-of-date. As a writer and new teacher, I have been working closely with the Administration to assist in streamlining this process for those who come after me. I have just finished a first revision of the New Teacher's Handbook (cropping the 27 page manual into a digestible 12 pages). I will also be working with other teachers to brainstorm helpful and streamlined ways for new teachers to be orientated both to the BSC and to Thailand. I am also working to help develop a new website for the BSC (when it officially launches I'll post the link so you can check it out)!

A few weeks ago I signed up to be on the Nursery/Sunday School rotation at LifePoint. This is a little way I feel like I can bless some of my co-missionaries, so that they can enjoy the church service due to a larger rotation pool.

LifePoint has also started an after-church soccer ministry with Community 110 (a part of the Klong Toey slum). Right now, it is just getting started, but I am going to start going with them after service to connect with the kids through sports.

Claire has taken on being "point-person" for the Friday Night Life programming at the BSC. Friday Night Life (FNL) is a weekly program that engages students, helps them connect relationally with the missionaries and teachers at the BSC through worship songs and an English lesson. During the term, Claire and I attend and assist every week. When there is not a program at the BSC, I go to the Friday evening program at LifePoint called "UniteBKK". Similar to FNL, UniteBKK offers fun activities (food art, country line dancing, pictionary) for students and adults every week. The goal is always to build relationships that build bridges to the Gospel.

[Friday Night Life Program this evening / photo credit: Laura]

I know that ministry is not a list of things to do and boxes to check, but after some floundering and trying to find healthy places to plug into that have need of my gift set, it is exciting to have a semblance of a routine. Not a routine to be a slave to-- but one that helps me invest in the people who God has placed in my life.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer. This week God has continually reminding me that, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12). Your prayers for Laura, Claire and I, as well as the other missionaries here is huge. Spiritual darkness can only be pushed back through the power of God. Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers.

stickers.

All the 7/11s in Bangkok currently have a promotional sticker program. For every 50 baht you spend (about $1.70) you receive one sticker. There are also different "bonus items" every week which, if purchased, resulted in bonus stickers. These stickers can be collected and redeemed for prizes, or can be used to make purchases at the 7/11. Each sticker's value is 1 baht (approx. 3 cents). Before the Spotswood short-term team came, I began collecting stickers... but at 1 sticker/50 baht, I didn't have very many. The team graciously donated all their stickers to my "cause" while they were here, and others who heard of my collection-project also chipped in their spare stickers.

So, why am I telling you this? Because from this little collection campaign, there sprung a God-idea... What if we (Laura, Claire and I) used the stickers that had been collected to make a little food-pantry for the homeless? We could use the stickers to purchase non-perishable items that we could keep handy in our bags for when we see people begging on the streets.

So, what has become of all these 330 stickers that were collected? To everyone who donated stickers, here is what you were a part of:

And while we can't say much in Thai, please pray that the people we meet will be touched by Christ through this small gesture. Thank you for being a part of this!

call us crazy.

Since Josh and Tasha Via first shared their story with Encounter at our summer retreat, I have closely followed their adoption story of Alethia Grace. Being able to read and hear about the reasons for their adoption touched my life in a unique way. They shared that all believers should have a heart for orphans, because God has a heart for orphans. They also shared that the more we understand adoption, the more we understand our place in God's family, because we, too, have been adopted. For their family, it was not about fertility; it was all about the Gospel.

Since being in Thailand, orphans are something that Claire and I have thought a lot about. How can we be involved and help? And how can we do it in a personal way?

I believe that God gave us an answer to that question... through a sweet family that we both know and love, the Kelleys (read their blog for the details on their story!). They are currently in the beginning stages of adopting a child from Azerbaijan. For them, it's also all about Jesus.

Kyle and Becca Kelley, and their son Matthew

So what can we, two girls in our 20s half a world away, do to help them? We've decided to do a fundraiser... I will be running a half marathon, and Claire will be running a 10k.

If you know Claire or I at all, you are probably laughing right now. That's okay; I laugh about it, too. I ran for the first time in I-don't-know-when when my dear friend Tamra gave me an iPod. (Because, isn't that what people with iPods do... run?) But Claire and I both thought that whatever "fundraiser" we decided on should cost us-- which I remember every time I feel like wimping out and hitting snooze one more time in the mornings.

I'm not really convinced that I can run for 21 km... especially by November 18th. But, I am willing to try, for the sake of future-Kelley. It's a way for us to support not just adoption and orphans in a general way, but in a very specific and personal way.

Would you consider being involved with giving towards their adoption process?

The Kelleys have set up an account with YouCaring to accept donations... however, right now, we are just asking you to pledge. You can either pledge a flat rate donation, or a certain amount per kilometer (a half marathon is 21 km). If you would like to be a part of the Kelley's adoption through sponsoring my run, please send me an email at lizswauger@gmail.com with the pledge amount.

If you pledge, you will receive:

- a pre-race update on my progress and race information (so you can be praying for me also!)
- a post-race update (complete with pictures!) and details on how to fulfill your pledge through YouCaring.

catch-up.

I currently have four posts in "draft" format and one marinating in my brain... and none of them are quite ready to post. I feel like the past few weeks have given me a lot to process and a lot to keep me busy! Thoughts on culture shock, ministries, upcoming events, my teaching schedule this term... so many things! All of them bumbling around in my head competing for attention and space. However, while those ideas are being fully formed, I did want to let you all know that while things have seemed a little crazy, they are going well. Some weeks here are very much the same, and other weeks are completely different! The past few weeks have been very different. A lot of changes have taken place with our schedules (the new term starting!) with people (we have some new volunteers!) and a general re-focusing in preparation for the new term/season here.

There's a new year-long volunteer, Patrick, who is staying at the guest house and teaching at the BSC. He graduated from Liberty University... and he knows some of our Spotswood-Liberty friends! Small world. He's spent a few months doing missions in Bangkok in the past, so he seems to be adjusting to life here very well. It's nice to have the guest house filling back up after the mass-exodus of August.

Thai class is still going well! Last week I "learned" how to give directions, how to negotiate prices with a tuk-tuk driver, the days of the week, how to reference past, present and future days/weeks/months/years and how to tell time... But there is still a lot of reviewing that is necessary before "learning" loses the " " marks! On a good note, my Thai test on Monday went really well! God was so faithful to bring to mind everything I needed to remember... Thank you for your prayers!

This term it looks like I will have 5 tutees and 2 regular classes. I will also be teaching 4-6th graders during Mini-Course in October for 3 weeks. My regular classes are level 9 and level 6, and because I have less preps this term, I am able to really focus on integrating the Gospel into the curriculum and my examples. The topics for both classes lend themselves to it as well- my level 9 class is starting off with a unit on superstitions and beliefs, and my level 6 class is starting off with a unit on ethics and morality. I have students I know in both my classes, which is really neat. I like not having to start completely from scratch. Peem, who our team met last year on our short term trip to Thailand, is in my level 9 class! I haven't gotten to see him very much since I've been here as his schedule has been very busy- so I am looking forward to having him in class and having the opportunity to invest in his life some more.

Claire and I also had the opportunity to have dinner last weekend with two of the families from LifePoint (Laura had previous dinner plans, so she wasn't able to join us this time). It was such a fun and refreshing time! The VanDykes (Tiffany and Steve, kids: Leigha & Kevin) hosted the dinner- Tiffany is an incredible cook. I put in a request for lessons, and to borrow her kitchen in the future! She made shepherd's pie, which was to die for, rolls, and salad with real bacon bits... from America (I'm drooling just thinking about it). The Hathcocks (Brandon and Crystal) were also there with their adorable son, Tobin. The VanDykes live past the last stop on the BTS, so a little outside of the city. It is nice to occasionally be able to get away from the noise of the traffic and loudspeakers. Although, even on the outskirts, you couldn't see the stars. I really do miss the stars.

Speaking of night, it is wayyy past my bedtime- and time to wrap up this post! Thank you for following my scattered thoughts to their end, and for not only caring and investing in the ministry that I am doing here... but also for caring for me. I love hearing about you all and your lives also. Thank you for keeping me in the loop and for keeping me a part of your lives through prayers and emails.

Lots of <3 from Thailand--

guest post. [part ii]

WE REST BY STRIVING

We rest by striving. Jesus has finished the work, so we must not rest until the work is done. Huh?

How do I strive to “keep myself in the love of God” while at the same time rest in the fact that God “keeps me from stumbling” (Jude 20, 24)? What does it mean for us to come to Jesus who “will give you rest” (Matt. 11:29) while at the same time being told, “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (Heb. 4:11)?

Of all the paradoxes of Christian growth, the idea of striving and resting at the same time seems to be the most puzzling. Do I work each day until I pass out from exhaustion or do I sit on the couch and wait for Jesus to pick me up like a puppet? How do I “do” and “depend” at the same time? How do I work without working in my own strength? What does it mean to labor fervently by the grace that God supplies?

While it may be puzzling, we must embrace this tension as presented in Scripture (Dt. 29:29; 1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 2:12-13). God calls us to rest completely in Christ’s work (Jn. 19:30; Heb. 10;1 Pet. 3:18) and at the same time to work hard (Jn. 15:8; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; James 2:14-26). Philippians 2:12-13 captures the paradox perfectly: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

It is in this paradox that we see the point of faith. We step out, we do, but when we put our foot down, we find the ground that supports us is the ground God promised would be there. When we look back, we find that, yes, we stepped out, but it was God at work in us. We rest in God’s faithfulness to empower our striving in obedience.

So what does this paradox mean for our discipleship with other Christians? As you spend time with other believers, rest in Christ. Stare at the cross together. Ponder the empty tomb together. Recall promises that highlight our freedom from sin and condemnation (e.g., Rom. 6:1-4, 8:1). Pray through verses that speak of God’s love for us in Christ (Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 8:32-39; 1 Jn. 4:10). Remind each other that God is not keeping a scorecard in heaven. He doesn’t have a “smite key” on his computer for the next time you mess up. Treasure the fact that we are pleasing to God because he is pleased with Christ. Preach the gospel to each other. Call each other to rest in Christ’s cry that “it is finished!”

We must also rest in the fact that the risen Christ intercedes for us in heaven (Heb. 7-10). This intercession guarantees that God will be merciful toward our iniquities and will remember our sins no more (Heb. 8:1-12). What a wonderful truth to rest in! We are forgiven in Christ. God does not hold our transgressions against us. We rest in Christ’s finished and ongoing work on our behalf.

At the same time, our discipleship should be marked by a striving together. Remind each other that Jesus has given the “Helper,” the Holy Spirit, to empower us to live in a way that pleases God (Jn. 14:26; Rom. 8:4). We labor, but we do not labor alone. We are united with the presence of the victorious King of Kings through his Holy Spirit. He enables us to make disciples among the nations (Mt. 28:19-20) and to endure persecution as we go (Luke 12:11-12). We can endure sufferings of this life through his strength (2 Cor. 12:9-10) and then comfort others in their sufferings (2 Cor. 1:3-7).

So strive together by living as soldiers of Christ who are at war with the evil one (2 Tim. 2:2; Eph. 6:10; 1 Pt. 5:8-9). Discipline yourself and structure your habits around increasing in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Intentionally use your interactions to build up each other for love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25). And above all, help each other strip off everything that slows you down so that you may finish this race and enter that final rest we have been promised (Heb. 12:1-3).

The paradoxes of spiritual growth are not given to us to paralyze us. God gives them so that we will peer into his Word more intently and dig into his promises more freely. So encourage each other to live by dying and rest by striving.

Author: Garrett Kell

for full article, click here

© 9Marks | Website: www.9Marks.org | Email: info@9marks.org | Toll Free: (888) 543-1030

guest post. [part i]

Classes started this week! And between them and language school, I haven't had a lot of time to process and generate new thoughts... so instead, I am going to share part of a post I read today. I hope you are challenged and encouraged by it also!

- - - -

Discipleship and the Paradoxes of Growth

by: Garrett Kell

(for full article, click here)

As I studied the Scriptures with other Christians I discovered many truths that were both clear and unclear. I learned that there is one God who is eternally three. I learned that Jesus is fully God and fully man. I learned that God is completely sovereign and that people are responsible for their actions. These ideas were mysterious, puzzling, and, at the same time, wonderfully edifying.

But the paradoxes of the Christian life didn’t end there. Looking into the Scriptures I saw that Christian growth and maturity happened in paradoxical ways. If we want to grow as Christians and to help others to grow, it is essential to understand these paradoxes.

WE LIVE BY DYING

In Mark 8:35 Jesus says, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will find it.” If we want to live, we must die. This advice seems foolish in a world that constantly counsels us to “follow our hearts” and “seize the day!” We are told we only live once, and that we should drink up every moment as we climb to the top.

Being a disciple of Jesus, however, means surrendering our lives and embracing the life that Christ gives. This is the only way to true life. As Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” This death happens thousands of times before heaven, and is always an act of faith in Jesus.

Several years ago, I became entangled in a web of sin. Discontentment, lust, and a lack of faith had crept into my heart like a python and were slowly crushing my devotion to the Lord. In that season, a dear brother spoke into my life in a powerful way: he called me to live by dying. He showed me that my love for the world was quenching my love for Christ. He spoke with truth and grace. God used that brother to open my eyes to the promise of life that would only come through dying. I am not sure where I would be if he hadn’t brought Jesus’ call before me afresh, and I am forever grateful that he did.

In discipleship, we must consistently hold the lens of eternity before each other’s eyes to ensure that we are not being “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). The world constantly calls us to find life in its pleasures. The only antidote to this powerful demand is to meditate on how Christ surrendered his life for our sake. Consider how he hated sin. Ponder how he loved us. Remember how he bled. Think of how he died. Rejoice in how he glorified the Father.

Our discipleship must be marked by helping each other meditate on Christ’s call to take up our cross daily and follow him. Dying is the only way to live.

© 9Marks | Website: www.9Marks.org | Email: info@9marks.org | Toll Free: (888) 543-1030

prayer requests.

I have gotten so many notes, messages and emails from you all saying that you are praying for me... thank you! Knowing that you are lifting up Claire, Laura and I in prayer is a huge encouragement to me. So, at the risk of sounding greedy for your prayers, I want to share some specific things that you can pray over.

1. Thai Language School
I completed my first full week yesterday... and it was awesome! Exhausting, but so helpful. It's 4 hours a day, Monday-Friday and it's all in Thai. I'm not particularly gifted in languages, so I know this will be a challenge! Please pray for my brain and for opportunities to build relationships with my classmates (Nino and JohnQweePen)! My first test is Monday...

2. Unity
I know that Satan would love nothing more than to tear apart a God-thing. And I feel like he can't be pleased with Laura, Claire and I all being here and serving the Lord. Please pray that we would continue to be unified and hold up each other in prayer.

3. Relationships
There are two girls that I want to start being more intentional about investing in... I'll call them A and M. Please pray that I have opportunities to pour into them and show them the attractiveness of the Gospel.

4. Term 5
Classes start Tuesday! Having last week off was a much-needed reprieve... but things are starting to wind up again. Please pray that I can figure out a way to balance the curriculum, relationship building and the Gospel in my classroom this term. Term 4 felt like I was trying to get the swing of the system and this term I want to be much more deliberate about those three areas.

5. Thai Leadership
Keep praying for the young Thai believers who are being trained as leaders and missionaries to their people. Ministries here function better (and are better!) under native-leadership. Pray that people like Noo, Aom, Bakery and Turbo will continue to grow and "be disciples who make disciples."

boom.

Today I got to experience a new part of Thai culture... a University Graduation! (Well, not the actual graduation, but the pre-festivities at Thammasat University!) Remember Supot, our Thai tutor in America? He introduced us, via facebook, to Air, one of his childhood friends. When we arrived in Bangkok, she took Claire and I on our first shopping excursion to JJ Market. And today was her graduation! She invited me to come and I'm so glad I was able to go and support her. 

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on Thai graduations... but I did notice a few differences I'd like to share for a cultural snapshot.

1. Lots of street vendors, selling lots of gifts! Balloons, stuffed animals, flowers, and graduation knick-nacks lined the streets of our 15 minute walk to Thammasat. Every street in every direction there were more things that could be purchased for the graduates.

[check out some of the balloon bunches!]

2. Lots of people. I've been to graduation ceremonies at decently large schools... this beat it. It was packed, everywhere. It felt like the BTS at rush hour, but as far as you could see, down every street and path.

3. Professional Photographers. Everywhere. I think that every graduate hires one. Not kidding. The photographer follows the graduate around and takes hundreds of pictures of them, them and their friends, them and their families, etc. I know this is true, because I think I'm in at least 50 of Air's graduation pictures-- It was an authentic graduation photo-shoot, props and everything.

[l-r: Eve, Air, Me, Faah]

4. Props. There were props and photo-set items everywhere! Giant stuffed teddy bears you could pose with, cardboard school buses you could "sit" in with your friends, cutout faces, people in costumes waiting for photo-ops... it was crazy! One girl's photographer brought colored balls and spread them out in the grass around her, and then had her hold a colorful umbrella while someone else blew bubbles and he took pictures.

 5. Boom. I wish we did boom? boomed? practiced booming? at American graduations! Or, maybe some schools do and I've just never seen it. I'm not sure how best to describe it, so watch this video and then I'll try to explain.

The boomers/boom team (I'm not sure how to appropriately use "boom" in all these contexts) usually all had some kind of unifying marker: matching headbands, capes, facepaint, etc. They would surround the graduate and perform some kind of dance/song/cheer. Many times they often brought props with them that the graduate could hold or pose with. The boom team could be friends/family of one particular graduate, underclassmen in the department of the graduates they were booming, or a charity. The charity boom teams would do unsolicited booms to unsuspecting graduates, and then the family of the graduate would donate some Baht to the charity. It's a great photo-op for the photographer, slightly embarrassing for the graduate, and all for a good cause!

short term missions.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the value of short term mission trips. Some people defend them, other people criticize them. One of the main complaints that I've heard is, "What can a team truly accomplish in one week? What kind of follow-up and discipleship can happen after they leave?"

There are a lot of things I could say: that a short term trip was what brought me here for a longer commitment, that it provides perspective and scope in a believer's life, that it gives an idea of the global nature of the church and the Gospel, that it encourages the long-term missionaries... all of which are true. But there is one thing in particular I would like to share that surfaced during a recent conversation I had with Laura.

One of the things that is really neat about the way Spotswood "does" short-term missions, specifically in Thailand, is that they aren't on some quest to start something from scratch. They didn't fly in, Bibles waving, and start a camp for kids in an unreached slum, or tackle taking the Gospel to the pimps in bars. While that may have given us a sense of heroism, it would have been ineffective. We don't know the culture. We can't follow up in a week. It's not sustainable. Instead, the team was plugged into healthy, preexisting ministries. This is important for two reasons:

Firstly, it means there is follow-up. Our team left, but the ministry is still there continuing on in their mission. If the heart of someone they spoke to was touched by the Gospel, there are people there, and ready, to continue engaging them and investing in them. Our team wasn't trailblazing; our team was coming alongside, encouraging, and supporting the ministries of others before them.

Secondly, it allowed our team to become a part of something bigger than themselves. They were here for a week and that was it. For the Thais though, they see team after team come through. We were just one of many teams. So where is the value of being just another team passing through? The message we are sending, combined with the message of those who came before, is huge. We are lending our voices to the same message; there is power in that! The message of every missionary and every team is the same: Jesus Christ. The Gospel.

Our team's presence, joined with the testimonies of those who came before and those who will come after, speaks volumes. Westerners (from different places and demographics) keep travelling to Thailand, but with the same motivation and message: Jesus. That lends credibility to the ministries of the missionaries who are here-- and collectively becomes a powerful statement regarding the truth and conviction of our message.

Alone, it's true, we may not have rocked Thailand on its heels, but we were another piece and link to a beautiful picture that the missionaries here are trying to construct for the Thai people to see. The Gospel is attractive. The cross is compelling. The message is life-changing.

Why else would twelve successful young adults traipse halfway around the world to talk to detainees at the Immigration Detention Center, share their testimonies in a prison, play basketball in the slums? It's not exotic. It's hot. And expensive. But not just our team, but many teams, have all come and given the same reason for the hope that is in them. They had a life-changing experience with God and were compelled to come and share about it. Short term teams' consistent presence here leads more credence to the message of salvation than simply words alone. It tangibly shows the Thai people that the Gospel is actively changing lives.

That, I believe, is the power of short term missions.

translators.

Since I arrived in Thailand, I have been so grateful for translators. At the beginning, I was at the mercy of whoever could speak passable English. Now, I know enough Thai to get me into trouble (This afternoon I was looking for the razor-aisle, and the store clerk took me to the shoe department... so maybe my Thai/charades could use some improvement!) and haggle prices while shopping. However, anytime something meaningful needs to be said, a translator is needed. God gave me a thought, beginning with Bakery translating a sermon last month at LifePointBKK and culminating with the Spotswood team coming to Thailand.

Translating is a very humbling job. Your words are not your own. You can't say whatever you want or interject your own wisdom. The success of your job is based on how accurately you can re-represent what the speaker is trying to communicate. In a different context. In a different culture. They are not your thoughts or words, but they are yours to convey correctly.

The translator is simply the mouthpiece of another. (Do you see where this is going?)

2 Cor 5:20a states that, "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." We are His representation to the world. We are His translators! It is our duty and privilege to be given the very words of God. But they are not for us only, they are for us to share with the world. In a different context. In a different culture.

We do not add anything to God, but our lives give meat to His message. We live our lives according to the Scripture, and then we speak the truth of the Gospel. We translate grace by sharing how God has radically changed our lives. We translate His love by showing great compassion and care for our friends, strangers and even enemies. We translate justice by caring for the needs of the oppressed, the orphans and the widows.

We are daily translating something to our culture, but is it the message that God has entrusted us to share? Is the gospel being preached from our mouths and our lives on a daily basis?

Please pray that we would translate well the message of hope that Christ has given to us. It is Good News that needs to be proclaimed, heard, and understood.

Dr. Drew teaching at Church Of Joy... and Archan Thongchai translating!

update.

Where to begin?

I have been in Thailand months, and feel like I need a couple weeks just to process everything that happened this past week; I can only imagine how the team is feeling! Please do not stop praying for them, even though they are safe and back in America. God is at work, and He is doing big things. Please pray that He would continue to impress the hearts of those who came... and use them at Spotswood, in their families and in their school/workplaces to make Christ known boldly.

The last 10 days have been the most emotional 10 days I've had in Thailand to date. I'm pretty sure they will remain record-holding days. The Spotswood Team arrived late on August 9th, and departed late-late on the 18th. The anticipation and week they were here was incredible, and the aftermath and recovery after their departure has been wildly difficult... I've been breaking all kinds of cultural taboos since the team left (mostly just crying in public, which is a no-no in Thailand). But my awesome friends Laura and Claire have been on a quest to cheer me up-- and between them and getting some sleep last night, I'm feeling much better today.

This week was by far one of the best (and different) mission trips I've been a part of. It was really full, very exhausting, but absolutely incredible. On most missions trips the focus is the people you are reaching out to-- on the churches you are partnering with and the people you will be engaging. But this past week wasn't just that for me... after all, this is my home. Instead, a lot of my attention and concerns were for the team, logistics, transportation, etc. I loved being able to facilitate their experience here, and then also participate in their projects.

It was such a blessing and encouragement to have my brothers and sisters here, something I have not been able (yet!) to successfully articulate, but it felt like they poured a concentrated dose of joy into my soul. Being able to see Thailand through their eyes was fun, and being able to hear their hearts as they processed their experiences here was definitely my highlight. I loved every conversation... even the weird ones spurred on by exhaustion and jet-lag.

I can't wait to see how the impact of this week continues to play out in each of the team member's lives. And for all the gifts that they bought to be delivered... they are awesome :) And for pictures to be shared. Stories to be told. And the church to be encouraged.

Hopefully they'll be processing some of the things from this past week on their blog [click here to view it!] and this Wednesday night they will be sharing at Spotswood. If you are in town, please go! It will be a great chance for you to hear about what God is doing here, in a way that is a little more personal than just a blog.