What do eggs have to do with Easter?

Unlike the Western culture where I grew up, in Thailand we had none of the traditional reminders that Easter was approaching.  There were no decorations in the stores, no jelly beans to buy, no advertisements for egg hunts in the park, no chocolate bunnies in the market, no baskets overflowing with plastic grass.  Honestly, many times I forgot it was the Easter season all together. 

Most Thai people have never heard of Easter unless they are Christians (only 1.33% of the population according to Joshua Project), have Christian friends, or have had extensive Western exposure.  If they have heard of Easter, they usually are more familiar with the eggs and bunnies than the real meaning.

A full class for Sunday School on Easter

On Easter morning, when I asked the kids in Sunday School, "What is Easter?"

It was no surprise to me that they hesitated then responded, "Eggs...and rabbits!"

So I asked them a question that many of my Thai friends, both Jesus followers and not-yet Jesus followers, had asked me in the days leading up to Easter,  "What do eggs have to do with Easter?"

I got a lot of blank stares, so I helped connect the dots.  "Inside an egg is a baby chicken, right?   A new life.  When Jesus died and rose from the grave after three days, he had a new life, and if we believe in him we can have a new life too."

The kids helped read the full story in Thai and then illustrated the main points.  By the end of class they could retell the Easter story, and they had a new connection between eggs and Easter.  

Guards at an empty tomb!

Jesus made time for children, so my team and I want to do the same.  Our hope and prayer is that God opens the hearts of these children to truly understand His Word and through them, their families also come to know Christ.

From English Camp through Church Planting

A few of the university students who attended English Camp.

How is English Camp related to church planting you may ask?

Our team came to Thailand to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches, but you may have noticed, a lot of our activities go by different names.  We have kids programs, teach weekly English classes, meet for small group Bible study, share hobbies like baking, travel with students, and help with English camps.  However, without a doubt, I believe these activities and church planting are connected.

To begin with, a church is composed of people.  And before people are Christ followers, they are just lost people. "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10  These are the people we pass everyday on the street, the people who we go traveling with, the people who come to English camp.

New friends!

English Camp is a lake stocked with fish, a lake full of people who may be seeking a hope and Savior that they don't even know exists.  And for a weekend, we have their full attention.  Through lessons, activities, and discussions we share our experiences and the truth of the Word that we have seen proven in our lives. Through games, meals, and traveling together, we build relationships that open up conversations about what it means to follow Christ.

Our hope is that from these relationships, students will get involved in Bible studies, desire to follow God, and come to church.  Then maybe God will give some of them a heart to take His Word to other areas of Thailand, teaching, preaching, and church planting.  

I know some of that seems a long way off, but at one point, planting a church in Bangkok seemed a long way off too.  But God.  Nothing is too big, too far off, too impossible of an idea.  God has already made the Bangkok church happen!  I'm excited to be a part of the stepping stones of future disciples, leaders and churches, whether that's through building relationships in Bangkok or going fishing at English camp.

 

Working on a group invention...and only using English.

Teamwork, silly games, and lots of English practice.

Making fun memories as we pretend to eat the biggest wax ice cream cone that we have ever seen.

Karen Mission Trip

Our first morning...it was COLD! 

After driving all night, we pulled up to Shakinah as the sun was peeking over the tops of the green mountains. The ten of us tumbled out of the van, blinking sleepy eyes and stretching cramped legs. Then we heard the sound. Pounding feet and shouts of "Hello!" Running toward us down the hill were the smiling faces of almost 40 kids.

The school room, church building, and multipurpose area for learning and playing.

We followed these smiling faces back to the school room where they had just begun morning Bible study. Like everyday, school was next on their agenda. The students, ranging in age between five and seventeen, broke into their grade levels to begin their studies. A few of us accompanied each grade to teach English and Thai. 

Our Thai friends had a chance to share their testimony with the kids with the help of one of the teachers translating into Karen.

Although they live in Thailand, many of the children don't  speak Thai. Karen is the main language used at Shakinah. English and Burmese are also understood among the older children.  The afternoon and following two days were filled with singing, games, acting out Bible stories, crafts, more games, and more singing.

The kids really enjoy playing volleyball and badminton. 

As the first mission trip for most of our Thai friends (many who grew up on Bangkok), there were a lot of new experiences.  The first time to eat Karen food, be without cell phone service and internet access, cold showers, sleeping on the floor, no luxuries of city life. But I didn't hear any complaining. The kids set a good example.  It was obvious that they are familiar with this life. It is a much better life than the alternative of being taken into the Burmese army and used to clear the fields of bombs.

Part of Karen culture is using a natural powder paste as skin care and to decorate the face.  Of course, we had to try it out too.  :)

The songs that the kids sang each morning and evening filled their hearts and went with them throughout the day and night. Their attitudes of thanksgiving and joyful hearts left the biggest impression on our Thai friends.  Our trip went quicker than any of us anticipated.  As we said tearful goodbyes after church on Sunday, the kids shouted out, "See you next time!" And our Thai friends asked,"When is the next mission trip?" 

Shekinah means "God's manifested glory" or "God's presence"

God's presence was evident throughout this entire trip, from safety on the road to the warm welcome we received.  Praise God for His work in the lives of our Thai friends from Bangkok, the Karen kids from Burma, and the children's home staff/teachers from all over.  

Lots of smiles and hope for the future.

Many of the children are the first believers in their families.  After they graduate, some of the older kids want to go back to their villages to tell their family and neighbors about Jesus.  Other kids want to continue studying so they can come back to be teachers at the children's home.  Praise God! 

Thankful Thanksgiving

LifePoint Team Thanksgiving 2013

"Today we are going to celebrate Thank God Day." We told our taxi driver as we piled into his car with yummy smelling, freshly baked pans of deliciousness.

"Have you ever heard of Thanksgiving?"  We asked him.  When he responded "no," we explained about the holiday.

"There's no holiday like that in Thailand."  He told us.

- - - - - -

Wouldn't it be awesome if "Thank God Day" became a Thai holiday too?

Wouldn't it be great for the holiday to be remembered and celebrated as it began?

I am encouraged and challenged by this reminder about Thanksgiving's beginning,

"The mission trip started with great hope. Their pastor wished the families well and prayed for them as they set out on this adventure.  But now their food supplies were critically low, there was no way to return home, no hotels for shelter and bitter cold would soon begin claiming victims.

"The Thanksgiving holiday did not start as a result of great abundance but in the midst of pain, loss, grief and sorrow. Though surrounded by the enemy on all sides these believers chose to look heavenward and express gratitude.

"They did not thank God because there were no challenges or because life was easy. They recognized He owed them nothing but they owed Him everything."
(www.rickmalm.com/thanksgiving)

I have so much to be thankful for.  Among many other things, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve overseas, to see God's kingdom expanded and share of his great mercy.

What makes the top of your "Thank God" list? 

English Camp

We all came back to Bangkok on an English Camp high.  It was a great time of connecting with students, not only for improving English, but also for sharing our team's purpose for being in Thailand.

The English camp was long enough that we got to know the students, and they got to know us.  We were able to break down some preconceived ideas about Christians and Christianity while showing them Christ's love.  At the same time, we were open about what we believe. 

In one lesson about speaking, Tiffany gave a short speech, 3 Reasons Why it's Great to be Missionary.  In the closing thank yous, one student mentioned that speech.  We were all encouraged that God opened their ears and minds to remember what was shared.

Another morning, over a breakfast of omelets, toast and fried rice, Stephanie was able to share the gospel with a student. 

At lunch one day, a girl asked me, "What do you do at church?"  The whole table leaned in to listen as Liz and I explained not only about church, but about our relationship with Christ outside of the church building.

I'm hopeful that as God continues to work in the lives of these students and teachers, he will bring up more conversations and prompt them to get involved in small groups or come check out church for themselves. 

Traveling together on the bus.  About 45 university students joined the camp and 5 Thai teachers.

One night some students showed us around the night market after camp activities were finished (I still made them speak English...hehehe, what a strict teacher!)

Teacher Julia.

Listening attentively.

Practicing speaking by giving a short presentation about Cambodia, and dressing up Cambodia style too.

Working hard!

Enjoying the sunrise (but only one morning, the other mornings I was sleeping.)

We went to the beach on the last day to take lots of pictures, play in the water, and SPEAK ENGLISH in real life situations.

Beyond English Class

English students making cupcakes

University students wander in after a day of classes, some grab a game off the shelf to kill time before English starts, others relax on the couch and let their eyes close for a few minutes. 

Working professionals jump off motorbike taxis outside, making it through the door just before the evening rain starts falling.

Kids, with voices bouncing off the walls,  run to the back table for a fun lesson with Taam.

People from the cafe peek inside to see what all the commotion is about.  

English nights are crazy.

But with new students coming in almost every week, the craze is worth it.  New students mean new relationships and the possibility for these students to know who gave them their language. 

From English class many students will get involved with our Friday night activities, like making cupcakes (last week), a talent show, or engineering night.  And then from there they may be willing to join a small group Bible study or come to church. English class is just a small dot on the map, but one that draws in many people. 

In the quiet moments, usually after class as we head out to grab dinner together, God puts words to the craziness.

"This place seems more like a family than an English center."  Wat commented.

My heart smiled.  Even when we get caught up in the details, God is working. 

Our delicious cupcakes!

United at the Beach

Thai & international YWAM family

 

"For the body does not consist of one member but of many..." 

This passage from 1 Corinthians 12:14 and the following verses are quite familiar, but as we spent time together at the beach last week, they became real again.

It seemed someone from every part of the "body" was represented.  From the voices who answer the phones and the hands that clean the offices to the fingers that type information for the website and the eyes that spot the ministry opportunities.  From the minds who keep the accountants straight to the tongues that translate for teams.  From the  elbows that work on the cars to the body that sits in YWAM Thailand's National Director seat.

Our body is diverse.  And that's a good thing.  Just as Paul reminds us in Corinthians, we wouldn't be a useful body, actually we wouldn't be a body at all, if we were all an eye or everyone was an ear.  Praise God for diversity!

Before returning to Bangkok, we had some time to share how God had been speaking to us:

"When we say yes to God, we must say yes 100%."

"Thank God that I can serve in a family like this!"

"As I looked out at the ocean and prayed, God reminded me, he loves us that much!"

Proverbs 31: 8-9 "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

"I feel like God has guided me here (to serve at YWAM) through every step."

"Relaxing like a family here is really important.  Every minute we serve together is important.  There is no job too small for God to notice or so big he is overwhelmed."

"God pressed on my heart this year that I need to be more committed to my church family, learning and seeking the Lord with them."

"I like to see the younger girls and remember when I was a young student like that.  It's good to encourage each other."

"God reminded me with Ephesians 6:5-8.  We are to serve with all our heart."

Praise God for uniting us together to serve him as one body and pour out his love on others in Thailand!  We couldn't do it without each other, and we definitely couldn't do it without him!

A Fun First

    

Turbo speaking (and me translating) Sunday morning.

One thing about translating is that you must (at least I must) become a lot more familiar with the material than you would if your only responsibility was to listen.  Some points that stood out to me...

*There are about 360,000 Christians in Thailand, that's 0.58% of the population.

*Of those believers, about 150,000 of them are in tribal villages, which means only about 0.35% of Thai-speaking Thais are Christians. 

To put this in perspective, if you walk around Bangkok and meet 300 people, statistics show that only one of those will be a true Christ-follower.   

Doesn't that put some urgency into sharing the gospel.  

And when we share it, do we share like it is a chore or like news that we had just won the lottery?  (Cause isn't eternal life even greater than that?!)

We both had a lot of fun and are already asking when the next time will be. 

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!

Chinese New Year's Visitors

Chinese New Year brought some new visitors to church yesterday but not in the traditional fashion....

They came carrying baskets of food.
They came carrying candles.
They came carrying incense.
And they walked straight past our seating to the back of the room. 

With a double-take I recognized the building's owner's family.

"These people can come any time they want, especially if they are going to bring roasted duck, fresh fruit, and other delicious looking plates...But wait, they aren't sitting down with us and the food isn't landing on the refreshment table.  Actually they are trying to move the table...the one with the floor length tablecloth that just happens (or not) to be right in front of the building's spirit shrine."

As the Chinese New Year's rituals began, so did our worship.

"Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God forever..." The sound of our voices and a lone guitar echoed through the room, mixing with the smell of incense lit by the unexpected visitors.  Plates were shuffled and candle stands rearranged as our singing ended and Chris began sharing. 

At one point, extra somethings were needed, so Grandma was left to wait while Niece hurried out the door.  Grandma settled herself in an open seat as she listened to Chris speak.  "We are not just a creation of God's, but we are his masterpiece..." 

God's timing is perfect.

If our visitors had come an hour earlier or an hour later, if the holiday had fallen on any other day of the week, if the spirit shrine had been in any other room, the building's owners wouldn't have heard what was shared.  On top of that, this is the first week everything has been translated into Thai.  We even got to extend grace when the coffeepot was broken as the refreshment table was moved.  How awesome is God that he lined all that up for one day and a few people who crossed our path!