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.