Uarn's Journey Continued

 No-bake cooking night with friends from English class at UniteBKK.

Uarn's story started a few weeks ago.  Start here to read from the beginning. 

"I believe in God but my dad won't let me."  Uarn shared during conversation time after English class.  I put down our English worksheet.  No amount of English is more important than this. 

It just so happened (in a completely God way which means not as a coincidence), that the three people sitting closest to us were Thai Christians who had also com to English class.  Uarn knew this was a place she could find out more about this God who loves her.  She admitted, however, "It doesn't look like a church." 

As she shared her desire to "see" God, Mii opened up a Bible and pointed to a section for Uarn to read.   After reading the story to herself, she looked up in awe. 

"Have you ever read the story of Zacchaeus before?"  One of the others asked.

"No..." Uarn said contemplating what she had read with a smile on her face.  Then her smile faded.  "My dad won't let me read the Bible.  I want to be a Christian.  I believe in God, and I love God."  Passion streamed through Uarn's young voice.

"If you really believe in your heart, than you are a Christian already.  It doesn't matter what your ID card says.  God knows your heart." Mii encouraged Uarn.  She shared how Jesus sought out Zacchaeus and wanted to spend time with him even though he was a sinner, just like he wants to spend time with Uarn. 

We are praying that Uarn can keep coming to English classes and hopefully to church and small group Bible study.  How amazing it would be to see this high school student grow in her passion for God and begin planting seeds of the gospel throughout her circles of influence--with her family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, and teachers. 

New Life Celebration

 Sunday afternoon, we gathered at the condo pool of one of our teammates. 

"There's nothing special about this water." Brandon clarified, as he gestured to the swimming pool while explaining the command and symbol of baptism.

Time was taken for prayer, committing this new life to God's work, glory, and Kingdom.

Kyle shared how great it has been to see God grow understanding, love, and passion for Christ in this new brother. 

Funny Story: A foreigner learning Thai used the wrong word once and said, "No we will drown..." instead of "baptize."

 

 No one was drowned here!

About half of the Thais who joined us aren't believers.  What an opportunity for them to see and be a part of the celebration with us.  :)

The last baptism was Bakery (right).  How cool must it have been to watch another Thai brother (left) get baptized too. 

We went to eat Swensen's Ice Cream afterward.   (We didn't make it all the way to the original shop in San Francisco, but luckily there's a Swensen's shop in almost every mall here.)

Over ice cream, we were able to explain the reason for baptism again to this friend.  Understandably, it's a strange idea, especially for people who grow up with a background of doing things to make merit.

Thanks to an awesome team and all the Thais who came to celebrate with us!

God on YouTube

Mexican Food Night at UniteBKK

13 year old Uarn sat down at the table after our Friday night event with a big smile.  "I got into the high school I wanted!"  She announced.  Uarn is younger than most of our University student friends who come to UnteBKK, but she is excited to be there each week. 

As she jabbered away about school she played with Taam's iPad.  Uarn opened up the YouTube application and switched the keyboard to English.  Handing it to me, she said, "I want to see God."  My face must have communicated my confusion because she tried again, speaking slowly and as clearly as possible in English.  "I want to see God...Ggoodd." 

We didn't cover this one in Missionary Training School.  Here's to improvising!   

As I took the thin machine, Uarn looking at me expectantly, my mind raced through my options.  Do I explain how very few people have ever seen even glimpses of God, or just say that he can't be found on YouTube? 

Curious myself about what would come up, I typed "God" into the search bar and pressed enter.  Uarn stared at the screen.  As expected, I needed to scroll through the first few options, Jesus hanging on the cross, famous preachers with their hands extended.  Finally I clicked on one titled, God of Wonders.  As we watched the video's beautiful images of stars, mountains, rivers, and delicate flowers, we talked about how God created everything in the universe, from the planets to the oceans to "Me!" Uarn said. 

"Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?"  The bright, inquisitive young girl asked once the video was over.   I shared the entire magnificent story of creation, sin, separation, forgiveness, and ultimate love with her.   In a God's-perfect-timing way, just as we began to get to questions and answers on the outside of my Thai vocabulary, Taam came over and joined us. 

This wasn't the first time Uarn had heard these stories.  She had obviously been mulling over these ideas for a while.  And God was obviously speaking back to her. "I believe in God...When I think about God before I sleep, I have good dreams.  If I think about Buddhist ideas, I don't sleep well."

What a privilege it is to see and be a part of God working in the hearts and lives of Thai people!

American vs. English English

After emptying a day's worth of rubbish bins, the dustman ran across the zebra crossing to the chemist’s shop.  A lorry coming out of the car park nearly hit him.  After taking the lift to the 4^th floor and picking up some pills, he walked back on the pavement to his car.  The pills went in the boot, and he grabbed the spanner to check the gearbox before heading to his flat.  His estate car was old but still ran well.  He took the motorway home, past the cinema, over a flyover and through the roadworks on a dual carriageway.  Sometimes he takes the underground home, but today he had errands to run.   

 Can you decipher the British English version? 

If you're having trouble, below is the story in American English.  I've learned quite a lot of British English while being in Thailand.  It is often what is taught in schools here.  Most of the time it's just interesting to see the differences.  Not wrong or right, I tell my students, just different.   

I also warn my students that people in the States might be confused if they ask where to find the loo, lift, hoover, maize, nappies, off-license, or a push-chair.
(restroom, elevator, vacuum cleaner, corn, diapers, liquor store, and stroller)

After emptying a day's worth of garbage cans,  the garbage man ran across the crosswalk to the pharmacy.  A truck coming out of the parking lot nearly hit him.  After taking the elevator to the 4^th floor and picking up some pills, he walked back on the sidewalk to his car.  The pills went in the trunk, and he grabbed the wrench to check the transmission before heading to his apartment.  His station wagon was old but still ran well.  He took the freeway home, past the movie theater, over an overpass and through a construction zone on a divided highway.  Sometimes he takes the subway home, but today he had errands to run.