Air Conditioning, Chopsticks, and Marshmallows

The air conditioning blew through our apartment keeping the humidity and hot air outside.  Five Thai international students sat in a circle laughing as wild cards were thrown down, smirking as a reverse card was played, and glaring (playfully) when a draw four card was placed on top of the pile.

Conversation moved on to us going to Thailand soon.  “You should go camping in Thailand.”  Boy suggested.  As we threw around camping stories, I learned that roasting marshmallows is an American tradition.  None of our Thai friends had ever had a roasted marshmallow…this had to be rectified!

Eileen ran to our neighbor’s house to borrow some marshmallows.  I grabbed the left over logs from an earlier camping trip and the matches from the hearth.  Soon we had a fire going in the fireplace and each Thai friend was leaning toward the heat, holding a chopstick with a small marshmallow stuck on the end. 

“Mmmm…this is good.”

“Ooohh…too sweet.”

“Yumm…Can I have another one?”

This was the last time of hanging out with our international friends in Atlanta, but we are hopeful that we will get to met again when the Lord brings all of us to Thailand.

Not Just "Doing Ministry"

 After School Tutoring Kids

After many months of:

• Tutoring kids after school three days a week
• Cooking dinner for the kids three days a week
• Giving small gifts to teachers every holiday
• Helping at school events
• Volunteering for field day
• Teaching ESL classes
• Picking up kids for church each week
• Meeting with parents
• Providing teacher breakfasts on occasion
• Sponsoring special classroom projects
• And giving time in numerous other behind the scenes ways...

In one day, God reveals how he has been working in many hearts:

•  "So what do you guys believe?" asked a teacher at the school.
• Two of the girls from tutoring that I pick up for church each week said they want to know Jesus personally.

Sometimes I wonder if all the time spent "doing ministry" makes a difference.  And then God reminds me what it's all really about--testifying of Christ through our words and our life so that people come to know our beautiful Lord and Savior.

Clarkston Connection

A rumble of voices rise from the bottom floor of the leasing office.  Glancing over the banister, I see younger and older people sitting in crowded circles of chairs.  A variety of bright ethnic clothing gives a unique spark to each group.  Some wear head scarves, some tie their babies on their back, some are decorated with beads, some wear a more plain style.  Each circle is speaking a different language.  Every once in a while someone will look up from the conversation to the front of the room where a Bible passage is written on the white board. 

This gathering is an exciting precursor to what we look forward to in Heaven:
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10)
 

I smile as I am called away from my gazing, back to helping the kids with their art projects.  I could sit for hours observing each circle of people discussing God's Word in their native tongue, but keeping the kids entertained so their parents can talk is an important job as well. 

Clarkston Connection is a monthly gathering of believers and nonbelievers who come together to investigate a passage from the Bible.  Primarily refugee families coming from many countries around the world, some have a background in the Bible, others are just looking for friends who speak their language. 

This past month I met Edlaya, an elderly woman from Myanmar.  When she came to the States five months ago, she left behind her six brothers and sisters.   Two of her children and their families were able to come to the Atlanta area with her while some were left in the refugee camp.  Using her broken English, hand motions, facial expressions, and sometimes silence, she told me part of her story of journeying here.  While she is grateful to be here and especially for the hopes of a better life for her children and grandchildren, she is mourning the loss of relationships, friends and family members left behind. 

Ana, God, and the Pink Bible

International friends and me in Atlanta

Ana, with dark hair flowing gently around her face, smiles at Eileen and begins reaching for something in her backpack.  In practiced English, Ana exclaims, "I bought a pink Bible.  Would you help me read it?"

Ana moved from Korea to Atlanta six months ago to study English at Georgia Tech.  She and Eileen (my roommate) have been meeting almost once a week for the past couple of months.  The relationship began with Ana's desire to practice English and Eileen's willingness to help.  Soon the Lord opened up the friendship, prompting Ana to share struggles and hurts, and allowing Eileen to share similar experiences and give testimony to God working in her life.  They have had the opportunity to read different passages from the Bible and talk about how it applies to their lives today.

God has overcome the boundaries of difficult English vocabulary and different cultural backgrounds to make Himself known.  He has pricked Ana's curiosity with the truths of His Word, given Eileen wisdom to accurately point to Him, and given us the privilege to pray.