Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Soon to Finish
For the sake of pouring myself into my last bit of time here in Thailand, I am going to post a final set of pictures and words when I return to the states. My first opportunity will probably be August 4th. I will say shortly that I had a life-changing experience with the Karen hill tribe in northern Thailand this weekend. My soul is bursting to share the joy and life that I found in those mountains. Until August...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Week 13: Unique Opportunities
This time is ending out well. Part of my heart is already coming back to the states, as there are some important decisions for me to make about my immediate future - but it's been neither distracting nor anxiety-driven. Yet, this last week has proven that this time is ending off in a way that feels solid; in contrast to the potential for feeling useless in these last couple weeks, I've felt that time and relationships have been and will be used well.
Let me offer a quick summary of the recent events. Last Thursday night we held our Introduction to Christianity course/get together at our house. Hank, another intern, taught on the Fall of Man. I think that it was simple and well-done. Afterwards there were a handful of significant conversations that I either took part in or overheard. Most importantly for me, I was able to talk to Wit, and hear where his heart is with the faith, considering that he spends so much time around Christians. Friday night we had a party on the roof of the church. This un-utilized space needed only a simple cleaning to be ready for a slide show, games, a barbecue, dancing, and basic hang-out. Five stories up on a fairly cool night made for a wonderful time with UCF (University Christian Fellowship). Sunday night we had to say good-bye to Melanie, who is now back in the states. It made for my nearing good-bye seeming even more real. Then on Monday I woke up at 3:45 to take a bus to Cambodia to renew my visa for another two weeks. While finding out that I probably didn't actually need to go, it was actually a great trip for me personally. I had a free breakfast in a casino in Cambodia, and saw the great disparity in that country between the wealthy casinos and the poor street children who sit in the sun all day, hoping for alms. It was quite an unexpected picture of injustice that I encountered walking across the border to allow myself another two weeks in Thailand. I also sat in on a Greek class at Bangkok Bible Seminary, and had a wonderful conversation with Ajan Natee - the acting pastor of our church who is also a professor at this seminary.
The most poignant picture of where I find my heart right now comes from the experience that I just had less than 3 hours ago. We decided to go downtown tonight, into Patpong. Patpong is one of the three major red light districts in Bangkok. We spent 30-45 minutes prayer-walking through this broken place, having our hearts pierced and our eyes opened. As we walked, we were offered menus of women, menus of sex shows, discounts and deals in brothel-bars. We saw collections of half-dressed women gathered, waiting for men to come to them, that they might be used for the purpose of acquiring their income. We heard stories of young women who come from all across Thailand to take part in one of the most lucrative careers they can find in this country. And throughout, we sought to pray.
Just yesterday I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and found myself reflecting on where I find myself in life - interestingly enough I think it's similar to where Harry finds himself at the end of that book. I am at the end of an important journey, and in many ways I feel that my youth is irreturnably gone. College - the last bit of adolescence - is past. And I am leaving a place that has opened my eyes to the beginning of the rest of my life. And, like Harry, I find myself thrown irrevocably into the battle with evil in this world. I hope for something greater and better, but I know that ahead of me lies a life of fighting evil and holding forth good. And tonight I saw quite blatantly the evil against which we fight.
Prayer is needed. We saw tonight that nothing but the gracious work of God's Spirit will save all of His creation. Here are the ways in which you can pray this week:
-This Upcoming Weekend. Phil and I are flying north to preach in the mountain tribes via translator. It'll be another eye-opening experience, and one in which we'll get to proclaim the gospel that we love!
-Intro. to Christianity Course. Thursday we continue it, and next Thursday I teach on the consummation of God's work in the world.
-All of our relationships. We now have very little time to solidify these relationships as lasting ones, and to live in love and truth with our Thai friends.
May we never lose sight of eternity. I pray this for you and for myself, that we would live in light of our purpose.
Let me offer a quick summary of the recent events. Last Thursday night we held our Introduction to Christianity course/get together at our house. Hank, another intern, taught on the Fall of Man. I think that it was simple and well-done. Afterwards there were a handful of significant conversations that I either took part in or overheard. Most importantly for me, I was able to talk to Wit, and hear where his heart is with the faith, considering that he spends so much time around Christians. Friday night we had a party on the roof of the church. This un-utilized space needed only a simple cleaning to be ready for a slide show, games, a barbecue, dancing, and basic hang-out. Five stories up on a fairly cool night made for a wonderful time with UCF (University Christian Fellowship). Sunday night we had to say good-bye to Melanie, who is now back in the states. It made for my nearing good-bye seeming even more real. Then on Monday I woke up at 3:45 to take a bus to Cambodia to renew my visa for another two weeks. While finding out that I probably didn't actually need to go, it was actually a great trip for me personally. I had a free breakfast in a casino in Cambodia, and saw the great disparity in that country between the wealthy casinos and the poor street children who sit in the sun all day, hoping for alms. It was quite an unexpected picture of injustice that I encountered walking across the border to allow myself another two weeks in Thailand. I also sat in on a Greek class at Bangkok Bible Seminary, and had a wonderful conversation with Ajan Natee - the acting pastor of our church who is also a professor at this seminary.
The most poignant picture of where I find my heart right now comes from the experience that I just had less than 3 hours ago. We decided to go downtown tonight, into Patpong. Patpong is one of the three major red light districts in Bangkok. We spent 30-45 minutes prayer-walking through this broken place, having our hearts pierced and our eyes opened. As we walked, we were offered menus of women, menus of sex shows, discounts and deals in brothel-bars. We saw collections of half-dressed women gathered, waiting for men to come to them, that they might be used for the purpose of acquiring their income. We heard stories of young women who come from all across Thailand to take part in one of the most lucrative careers they can find in this country. And throughout, we sought to pray.
Just yesterday I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and found myself reflecting on where I find myself in life - interestingly enough I think it's similar to where Harry finds himself at the end of that book. I am at the end of an important journey, and in many ways I feel that my youth is irreturnably gone. College - the last bit of adolescence - is past. And I am leaving a place that has opened my eyes to the beginning of the rest of my life. And, like Harry, I find myself thrown irrevocably into the battle with evil in this world. I hope for something greater and better, but I know that ahead of me lies a life of fighting evil and holding forth good. And tonight I saw quite blatantly the evil against which we fight.
Prayer is needed. We saw tonight that nothing but the gracious work of God's Spirit will save all of His creation. Here are the ways in which you can pray this week:
-This Upcoming Weekend. Phil and I are flying north to preach in the mountain tribes via translator. It'll be another eye-opening experience, and one in which we'll get to proclaim the gospel that we love!
-Intro. to Christianity Course. Thursday we continue it, and next Thursday I teach on the consummation of God's work in the world.
-All of our relationships. We now have very little time to solidify these relationships as lasting ones, and to live in love and truth with our Thai friends.
May we never lose sight of eternity. I pray this for you and for myself, that we would live in light of our purpose.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Week 12 Pictures
Me and Emmy - Tim's daughter - at an overlook at Khao Yai - Thailand's first national park.
The beautiful, scenic overlook at Khao Yai.
The monkey. Just chilling in the road on our way up the mountain. He was easily lured in with a banana.
Another shot of the monkey.
Me with Asa - Tim's son - on my back. This is how I hiked the entire trail up to see the waterfall. It was great.
The natural beauty of Thailand doesn't reach much greater heights than this.
Tookata and Jane folding our grocery bags...
Sarah, Lisa, Kiki, Alissa, and Erin at the German bakery where we had breakfast Tuesday morning in Hua Hin.
Another shot of us all at the bakery.
Week 12: The Beginning of the End
Firstly, I apologize for this post not coming until Wednesday. Yesterday and the day before I was with the intern team in the beach city of Hua Hin, being refreshed and seeking to collect this experience within myself. It seems that these last two days have proven that the end of this is beginning. Add to that the personal pains and revelations that I've fallen into and we've got one intense week to work through.
Monday morning the team of interns, me, and Tim drove to Hua Hin. This beautiful city served as the setting for two days of joy, peace, fun, and reflection. In some way, I realized emotionally over the course of those two days that this experience is ending. The rest that comes at the end of a long journey - the time in which you finally have opportunity to release your tension and ponder the consequences of what you've just journeyed through - seemed to begin on that trip. I do, however, have two and a half more weeks of service and life here. But, it seems plain that not many more new relationships will legitimately start in these two weeks. If anything, the cookout, the arts festival, and the overnight trip to the mountains will be opportunities to solidify the love for those I've come to know and to sufficiently close out my time with them. I hope to pass on as many of these relationships as possible to the Thai believers and/or the career missionaries. Yet, once again I'm in a position of feeling helpless to accomplish anything of lasting value. There's really so little time, and my emotions are now making their exit from this country.
The beginning of these closing feelings has been compounded by the amount of inner struggle I've found myself in. Interactions with the other interns opened the eyes of my soul to some very significant wounds which have afflicted me and inner lies that I've been believing. It's painful to realize the depths from which my soul needs to be redeemed. But good to be aware of my failures and pains, so that I can see them healed. I'm sorry that this is all so vague; I generally wouldn't write that way! But it seems most appropriate to now.
Then there's these decisions I need to make. Exactly where do I go practically from here? What do I do with the collection of experiences I'm leaving here with? How much time and rest do I really need in order to work through the implications of this experience? I am hoping for wisdom, and trusting in God's complete control regardless of my decision. Yet, confusion and anxiety arise within me too often.
I guess it comes down to this: I trust my God; I know that my life is intimately tied to those who do not have the good news that I believe is only found in Jesus Christ. But I just don't know what enjoying and glorifying God looks like from here - how do I remain faithful to my divinely given desires and gifts, and what needs to happen as the immediate next step? I stood on the fifth floor balcony overlooking the Bay of Thailand on Tuesday night and felt a longing for the land of heaven that I know I'm made for. I longed for that rest and peace, and for my God. But in order to see that glorious sunset and world of clouds and mountains, I had to look over the heads of Thai people, over the tops of a rundown home below me, and over the city of Hua Hin. I know that my foremost purpose now and forevermore is to enjoy and point to the Lord; but part of that purpose is seeking the good and joy of the people and places around me that don't know that joy.
How about a few funny experiences from the past week? While going to the bathroom at the national park I laughed with my friend Hank for about five minutes over a 4-Step instructional card inside the toilet stall on how to use the bathroom - with a girl in a skirt whose eyes were only open for one of the pictures; I came home to two Thai girls alone in our house, folding our plastic grocery bags; I saw one of our friends sitting on our couch singing karaoke to herself into our remote control while watching the TV karaoke (man, they love some karaoke); and I finally saw an elephant - on the road in front of our van on the travel back to Bangkok from Hua Hin.
As has been obvious, the Lord has worked not only in the lives of the Thais around us, but in my very heart. And I continue to believe that He is doing this largely through His people coming in deep concern before Him for that work to happen. Here's how we continue to need prayer:
-My Soul. I continue to work through personal issues and try to decide what steps to take once I return to the states.
-Endurance. I and all the interns need endurance that we can't create on our own to love and serve the Thais and missionaries we're with. It's something I know most of us are finding hard to have.
-Campus Ministry. Friday we have a cookout, which will be our last big campus outreach, and also one of our last opportunties to pass on our relationships to Christians who are here more long-term.
-Those leaving. Melanie, my close missionary friend, who has been here two years, is returning to the states on Sunday. Kiki, one of the intern team leaders, is leaving Thursday (as may be one of the interns Erin). Dave's wife (the team leader), Jan, is going home for a time.
I know only in part what these experiences have meant, but I hope for the Lord to make them all work for good. "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3.13-14...May we continue to strain forward.
Monday morning the team of interns, me, and Tim drove to Hua Hin. This beautiful city served as the setting for two days of joy, peace, fun, and reflection. In some way, I realized emotionally over the course of those two days that this experience is ending. The rest that comes at the end of a long journey - the time in which you finally have opportunity to release your tension and ponder the consequences of what you've just journeyed through - seemed to begin on that trip. I do, however, have two and a half more weeks of service and life here. But, it seems plain that not many more new relationships will legitimately start in these two weeks. If anything, the cookout, the arts festival, and the overnight trip to the mountains will be opportunities to solidify the love for those I've come to know and to sufficiently close out my time with them. I hope to pass on as many of these relationships as possible to the Thai believers and/or the career missionaries. Yet, once again I'm in a position of feeling helpless to accomplish anything of lasting value. There's really so little time, and my emotions are now making their exit from this country.
The beginning of these closing feelings has been compounded by the amount of inner struggle I've found myself in. Interactions with the other interns opened the eyes of my soul to some very significant wounds which have afflicted me and inner lies that I've been believing. It's painful to realize the depths from which my soul needs to be redeemed. But good to be aware of my failures and pains, so that I can see them healed. I'm sorry that this is all so vague; I generally wouldn't write that way! But it seems most appropriate to now.
Then there's these decisions I need to make. Exactly where do I go practically from here? What do I do with the collection of experiences I'm leaving here with? How much time and rest do I really need in order to work through the implications of this experience? I am hoping for wisdom, and trusting in God's complete control regardless of my decision. Yet, confusion and anxiety arise within me too often.
I guess it comes down to this: I trust my God; I know that my life is intimately tied to those who do not have the good news that I believe is only found in Jesus Christ. But I just don't know what enjoying and glorifying God looks like from here - how do I remain faithful to my divinely given desires and gifts, and what needs to happen as the immediate next step? I stood on the fifth floor balcony overlooking the Bay of Thailand on Tuesday night and felt a longing for the land of heaven that I know I'm made for. I longed for that rest and peace, and for my God. But in order to see that glorious sunset and world of clouds and mountains, I had to look over the heads of Thai people, over the tops of a rundown home below me, and over the city of Hua Hin. I know that my foremost purpose now and forevermore is to enjoy and point to the Lord; but part of that purpose is seeking the good and joy of the people and places around me that don't know that joy.
How about a few funny experiences from the past week? While going to the bathroom at the national park I laughed with my friend Hank for about five minutes over a 4-Step instructional card inside the toilet stall on how to use the bathroom - with a girl in a skirt whose eyes were only open for one of the pictures; I came home to two Thai girls alone in our house, folding our plastic grocery bags; I saw one of our friends sitting on our couch singing karaoke to herself into our remote control while watching the TV karaoke (man, they love some karaoke); and I finally saw an elephant - on the road in front of our van on the travel back to Bangkok from Hua Hin.
As has been obvious, the Lord has worked not only in the lives of the Thais around us, but in my very heart. And I continue to believe that He is doing this largely through His people coming in deep concern before Him for that work to happen. Here's how we continue to need prayer:
-My Soul. I continue to work through personal issues and try to decide what steps to take once I return to the states.
-Endurance. I and all the interns need endurance that we can't create on our own to love and serve the Thais and missionaries we're with. It's something I know most of us are finding hard to have.
-Campus Ministry. Friday we have a cookout, which will be our last big campus outreach, and also one of our last opportunties to pass on our relationships to Christians who are here more long-term.
-Those leaving. Melanie, my close missionary friend, who has been here two years, is returning to the states on Sunday. Kiki, one of the intern team leaders, is leaving Thursday (as may be one of the interns Erin). Dave's wife (the team leader), Jan, is going home for a time.
I know only in part what these experiences have meant, but I hope for the Lord to make them all work for good. "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3.13-14...May we continue to strain forward.
June 30: The Gathering Spirit
“42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” –Acts 2.42, 44
Search the pages of Scripture and see how often you see people standing alone in their faith. Most likely, if you look closely enough, you’ll realize that even those who seemed to be completely alone had a brother or two around them. Are we called to trust Jesus regardless of whether we have anyone to support us? Certainly, yes. However, does God leave any one of us as the only person around to trust in Him? Almost never.
The work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost first led people to personal hunger for salvation; those individuals trusted in Christ. But the work of the Spirit did not end there. The words directly following verse 41 (“those who received his word were baptized”) tell us that they began taking part in the life of the church. Not only did they believe, but they began sharing life together as believers! The Holy Spirit may begin His work by calling individuals, but His final goal is to collect the entire body of people who will live to glorify God together forever.
1. Why would God want us to live in community rather than by ourselves in our faith?
2. How does the Holy Spirit need to work in your life to build up community with other Christians? Ask God to open your eyes to the answer to this question.
Search the pages of Scripture and see how often you see people standing alone in their faith. Most likely, if you look closely enough, you’ll realize that even those who seemed to be completely alone had a brother or two around them. Are we called to trust Jesus regardless of whether we have anyone to support us? Certainly, yes. However, does God leave any one of us as the only person around to trust in Him? Almost never.
The work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost first led people to personal hunger for salvation; those individuals trusted in Christ. But the work of the Spirit did not end there. The words directly following verse 41 (“those who received his word were baptized”) tell us that they began taking part in the life of the church. Not only did they believe, but they began sharing life together as believers! The Holy Spirit may begin His work by calling individuals, but His final goal is to collect the entire body of people who will live to glorify God together forever.
1. Why would God want us to live in community rather than by ourselves in our faith?
2. How does the Holy Spirit need to work in your life to build up community with other Christians? Ask God to open your eyes to the answer to this question.
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