Week 7: The Craziness Begins

Life is no longer the same for me in Bangkok. The arrival of 7 more Americans, who're living in the same house as me, has brought as much if not more change as I expected. Instead of loneliness, there is a constant presence, no matter what the time of day or place I find myself. It's incredible! And what a wonderful group God has brought here. Every one of these people are mature believers who want to serve while they're here. In their midst I've already experienced depth of conversation, roll-on-the-floor laughter, solid teaching, prayer, and simple enjoyment of one another's presence. I've loved watching them fall into the routines of living in this new place, discovering new foods, struggling through the language difficulties, and finding their way through the streets. I've even come to discover that I do know a little bit of Thai (remembering where I was on the first few days - where they are now).

Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed with joy at their presence. The temptations, however, are now new. Instead of the temptation to withdraw and fall into lonely despair, there is the temptation to neglect reflection and prayer. Instead of sadness over lack of interaction, there's the potential for irritations and frustrations within close community. Even with the maturity and love, our group needs the Lord's grace and much prayer.

Yesterday we went out onto the campus for our club's first really big event. It was freshman orientation day. Instead of just signing up for classes and clubs, freshman got to take part in the clubs' dynamics, as well as check out clubs they might not have been aware of. Wearing a giant, home-made coffee mug costume, we handed out fliers for our coffeehouse this Friday. We were blessed with dozens of new relationships and people who decided to join the club. And we played crazy games and danced crazy dances to the excitement of the young students. What a great, tiring day it was! The club (University Christian Fellowship, a.k.a. - UCF) is taking off, and the service of these interns is as well.

This experience is really starting to take greater hold on my heart. The friends I've made and the ministries I've gotten to serve in are holding a much dearer place within me. I still do not know how the Lord has crafted this experience for directing my calling into ministry. Nor do I know how I feel about service here or elsewhere overseas long-term. But I do know that the Father is allowing this time to grab hold of me much more.

I'm sorry this is a quick post. It's very late here, and there's just no time now that I'm living with so many people! But I daily think of how deeply we need God's people to come before Him, trusting that He will use this service for good. I've already heard in the hearts of a number of these interns the frustrations that I've had, and the realizations that this time will be very influential in their own lives, too. Here is what I ask you to pray for:
-The campus ministry (UCF). The interns' presence means, as I've seen, that much more can get done on campus. More relationships are possible and more attention can be drawn to us. Pray that God will lead unbelieving Thais to us and more importantly to the Thai Christians, who can share the gospel more adequately.
-The interns' growth. Pray for their first few weeks of struggle.
-My calling. I still don't know how God is and will use this time in my life.
-The friends I continue to make. Wit and I have spent some more time together, but haven't had much chance to talk. I see opportunities for that to happen in the future. Other friendships are forming and will form as we get deeper into campus ministry.
-English camp. June 13-14 is our English camp, which God graciously provided enough students for to hold it. It's a great time for unbelievers to build relationships with Christians.

As always, you are all close to my heart.