Chachoengsao...Where?

Tuk Tuk in the rain.  We are taking a pickup truck to Chachoengsao.  Hopefully the rain will hold off until we get there.

 
I've found my life's adventure with God is sometimes like my average trip in Thailand.  It usually begins with a side conversation ending with something along the lines of, "Will you join us?"

"Sure."  Then I hesitate.  What did I just agree to?   "Umm, I mean... Where?  When?  How much will it cost?  Who else is going?  When will we return?  How are we getting there?  What do I need to bring?"

 "Chachoengsao."

"Bless you!"

"I didn't sneeze."

"Come again?"

"Chachoengsao, a province about three hours east of Bangkok, for an English camp and to visit a children's home." My friend clarified.

"Okay.  Sounds good to me." I agreed.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

About five years ago, God asked a similar question of me, "Will you join My work in Thailand?"

My response was about the same,  "Sure."  Then hesitation as my mind began to process what I had just agreed.  I tried to stay afloat in the details of my drowning thoughts.   

Thailand?  When?  How much will it cost?  Who will I go with?  How long will I stay?  A ONE-WAY ticket!?  What do I need to prepare?

By His grace, I made it to Thailand.  I didn't know all the details, but as deciding points came and went, I always had the answers I needed or enough direction to make a choice in faith.

"Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, 

what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 

waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God..." 

2 Peter 3:11-12

 
Other than Chachoengsao (and I'm still trying to figure out where that is), I have no idea what God has planned for this week's adventures.  But I know we want to use our time well.  This may be the first time these kids have heard of Jesus.  The seeds we sow may be the seeds that God grows into a well-rooted ceder tree. 

As Gif and I discussed yesterday, we will be flexible and ready to say "yes" when God gives the opportunity. We know the outline, a children's home and English camp.  And God knows the rest. 
 

God Is...

As we rolled in a few more chairs for the meeting, the chatting quieted down.  All eyes turned towards "Ned."  I gave him a friendly smile, and he began.  

"I don't really know how to start. This is my first time.  Let's pray."  His quick sentences were undoubtedly nervous, and yet an underlining confidence that God would guide the time was evident.  

Ned was a third year university student when I arrived in Bangkok three years ago.  Since then, he graduated, studied a 5 month Discipleship Training School that included outreach to different provinces in Thailand, and began working as YWAM staff, a chef at the base.  What a privilege it is to see God grow and lead students through university and into "grown up" life.  

It's a shift for me as well.  A good shift, from often being the one teaching or leading to being one of the learners.  Sitting in the learner's chair, I can see Christ from new perspectives, from Thai perspectives. 

Ned led the group in studying some of the Hebrew names for God.  We then used these names to encourage each other.  He talked about using the names in prayer as well. 

I was inspired.  I was reminded why I love my Lord so deeply.  I was encouraged to see God growing us all in so many direcitons.   

I'll share the Hebrew names below, in hopes that they are encouraging for you too.  

 Elohim

God our Father, the All Sufficient, Nourisher and Life Giver.

Genesis 1:1

El Shaddai

God, the Almighty, True and Faithful God.

Genesis 17:1

Adonai

Lord, the Master.

Isaiah 6:1

El Olam

The Everlasting God.

Genesis 21:33

El Berith

The Lord of the Covenant.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Elohei Ma'uzzi

The God of my strength.

2 Samuel 22:33

Jehovah Jireh

The Lord will provide.

Genesis 22:14

Jehovah Shalom

The Lord my Peace and Fullness.

Judges 6:24, John 14:27

Jehovah Rapha

The Lord my Healer, Doctor.

Exodus 15:26

Jehovah Rohi

The Lord my Shepherd.

 Psalm 23

Jehovah Nissi

The Lord my Banner, Banner of Victory.

Exodus 17:15

Immanuel

God with us.

Matthew 1:23

Handing Over the Paddles

You know how God brings certain people into your life at the perfect time?  Well, he did that with Miss L not too long ago.

As we walked down a short strip of shops, looking for one selling ice cream, she began asking about the ministry I'm doing now. We settled on a doughnut shop, as ice cream was nowhere to be found (how that is possible still puzzles me).  And I began to share.

Miss L has served in Thailand for over 20 years as a single woman. She could relate to a lot of my experiences and had a lot of good advice. Toward the end of our time, she prayed for me and shared a picture God had given.

In the picture, I was sitting in a kayak in the middle of a beautiful lake. There were two paddles. One, I was holding onto, the other I had let go of already. God was asking me if I would let him paddle the kayak, or if I was going to continue to fight for rowing control. 

I know in my head that I want to let him do all the rowing. I get too tired and end up going the wrong way, but it's hard to let go. It's scary not knowing where I'll end up. In the end, that's the best way to do it though.

That's a big part of faith.  I'm trusting God to guide my kayak exactly where I need to go.  For now, that looks like being faithful to the relationships I have and pouring into the people he has placed in my life.  It means trusting him to do the work in these people's lives, while being available and loving them along the way.