Next Steps

While on this trip, two questions were answered for me that I (and many others) had been praying for.

The first question: Where, as in what country, is God guiding you towards for the future? I'm not sure I can ever answer that with 100% certainty (because sometimes political situations can change in a country), but I can clearly see that God has specifically planted Thailand in my heart for a reason. Having said that, it means that Lord willing, I'll be looking to go back to Thailand within the next couple years.

The second question: In what capacity will you be used overseas when you go long term? My hope is to look into Student (University) Ministry or Church Planting with some focus on Youth Ministry- I can see how the Lord has planted this specific passion in my heart for His glory. But... I'm also always open to trying out new ministries in the future as well- needs often change and new and creative ideas/ministries take root in missions.

Next Steps: While I have a goal now to go back to Thailand, it may be a couple of years. I still have college loans to pay off. My goal, fully surrendered to God, is to go back within 5-6 years. So while I'm in the States, I'm looking for full time work. Please pray with me as I apply to different jobs. Please also be praying that God would continue to make me more like Christ in every way- for continued love for the Thai people, for joy on the journey, peace in all circumstances, obedience and trust in the hard and scary things, and wisdom for making decisions for the future. Don't be afraid to pray for humility too ;) That's always essential for missions! haha :) And lastly, please pray for a female ministry partner(s) for the future. I've found out that I need to live with and do ministry with another person; it holds me accountable and keeps me from getting lonely. Please keep praying!

I look forward to seeing all of you again...and getting a chance to hug all of you as well! Thank you again for walking alongside me on this trip. It has been a blessing and joy to share with you in serving Christ through loving the Thai people :)

"Through Christ, God has given us this great privilege and authority as apostles to tell people everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to His name."

-Romans 1:5

To God be all glory, honor, and praise!

The Taxi Driver and the Straw

This is a short story of another way God was growing in me a love for the Thai people, even the day I was leaving to come back to America.

The day I flew out, my taxi driver was set to pick me up at 6:45am. He arrived, and out stepped this little Thai man, who was probably between 65-70, about 5', and probably weighed less than 110 pounds. He was SO cute!! He picked up my bags (which were almost bigger than him) and hoisted them into the trunk. With the language barrier, we didn't really talk, but we exchanged smiles.

So, I had gotten a bad head cold two days prior, and thus had packed tissues for an army while we drove to the airport. I had been blowing my brains out for the first 20 minutes, fearful to even look at him because I know how Thai's are about health (they wear those health masks when they have a cold and I had no mask!). And I was praying he wasn't flinching most of the way. After I took a brief break from my blowing, I began to gulp down my Nalgene bottle (one of the big ones!).

Only the Lord knows I'm the sentimental type and would treasure this moment for years to come. As I was gulping down my Nalgene bottle, the taxi driver finally spoke up. And he was scolding me! He handed me a straw, and watched to make sure I'd use it (we were stuck in traffic, so he had time). You see, Thai's don't understand why foreigners gulp out of bottles or cups, instead of using straws. They always use straws for their cold drinks, and you're always given one at restaurants and convenience stores. So I stuck the straw in the bottle and for the next 10 minutes, like a chastised little girl, sipped this big Nalgene bottle with a straw. Every now and then I would look over at him and smile. I had only known this man for 30 minutes, but I was brimming with love for him. Though it was a bittersweet day for me, I felt so much joy and love for the Thai people as I flew out that morning. Can you see why Thai's are so adorable?!

Please be praying for this man, along with the rest of the Thai people. Pray that since he is older, that he would see the emptiness of his life-long "good" works, and would want Christ, who is the righteousness we need.

When Your Heart Becomes a Home

The heart is a strange thing. It often feels what I don't want it to feel, and doesn't feel what I wish it would. But I can tell you that each day I surrender my heart to God, He is faithful to lead and direct it, to hold it, to care for it, and to sustain it. And I'm so thankful to Him for that.

Why am I talking about the heart...again? Because when I first got to Thailand, my heart didn't really like Thailand (I'm just trying to be honest here). There was nothing about Thailand that drew me in. The city that I was settled in the first three months didn't appeal to me at all. It was flat, concrete, weird smells, unidentified fruits at the market, unidentified feces on the ground...you get the point. But God was so good- I'm not sure where this idea started, but all of you began to pray that God would give me a love for the people. And the strangest thing happened.

And you know, you hear it talked about, about how God can move a heart, change it...but it came softly...that love for the people. It started with my house cleaner- she wouldn't leave me alone. But, secretly, I didn't want her to leave me alone anyway ;) She would come in every other morning, singing these crazy Thai songs as she cleaned the bathroom, and then with the little English she spoke, introduced me to her family through pictures on her phone. I didn't even know who her mother was, but she made me feel like I had known her for years, like I was family. She was my first interaction with these beautiful people. And little by little, God started acquainting me more with the Thai's.

Everyday I began finding new things that I enjoyed about being with the Thai people. Their silly smiles, their hearty laughs, and don't you know they smell SO good!! I couldn't stop taking it in. I really began to enjoy being with these people. So many times I didn't understand what they were saying, but I understood a laugh, a smile, a hug, a squeeze of the arm. More and more I liked these Thai people.

Side note. Let's take off the rose-colored glasses for a second. Yes, there were things I didn't like- cultural differences, being taken advantage of as a foreigner, and the always looming idea that I could meet a poisonous snake and not survive to tell the tale. But in seriousness, over time the cultural differences became part of life, and for every Thai person who might have taken advantage of me in a sale, there were 10 others loving on me elsewhere. That's our world- whether you're in America, or Russia, or Thailand- you're interacting with humans.

So this like that had made it's way into my heart...I didn't realize it, until I was in Walmart the other day unintentionally looking for a Thai person (trust me, there is probably a population of 3 Thai people in our area), and didn't see a single one, and I wanted to cry. I realized I no longer liked the Thai people...I love them. Since I came back, I have dreamt every night of these beautiful people- students, house cleaners, restaurant owners, youth workers, teachers, shop keepers- people that I met day in and day out in Thailand. They've been tucked away deep inside my heart, in a portion assigned "The Thai People." And I have this feeling that it's permanent. Because unlike other trips I've gone on where in the first week I've been relieved to come home, and everyday I begin to forget the faces, I can't shake these people- everyday I remember them as if I just saw them yesterday. They've already found a home in my heart. And I praise God for giving me this love that I couldn't have ever conjured on my own.

A Recap of August/September

The ministry in August/September was based around a youth house in Lopburi, where two Christian Thai women, N and I, live upstairs and invite students to come, hang out, and chat/speak English downstairs. Our team consisted of Sam and Lizzie (two short-termers from the UK) as well as P (our team leader and student worker in Lopburi) N, I, and myself.

Recap of August/September (Student Ministry in Lopburi, Thailand):
- 2 English Camps- where we had the chance to spend time with the students through speaking English and building relationships (went to a zoo, a buffalo park, an elephant park, and several "museum" type areas)
- Teaching English in a 1st year class at the university
- Teaching Music through speaking English on Tuesdays
- Youth Club on Wednesdays- we baked pizza, pancakes, and a Thai sweet in the afternoons with the students for each week we were there
- Cell Group on Thursdays- consisted of a couple group games and a Bible lesson
- Retirement Home- to visit with the elderly in Lopburi- it was awesome!
- Speaking English with students at the Youth House in Lopburi
- Time to build relationships with the students in between each of these things in the youth house and in Lopburi
- And I'm sure I left some things out! They kept us busy, but it was great!

Although I came back to the States, these ministries are still going on- please continue praying for the missionaries, as well as the Thai Christians, and those who still have yet to accept Christ. Thank you for your prayers!

Prayer Requests:
- N and I (Christian Thai ladies)- as they continue serving in the youth house in Lopburi; for their futures as they continue seeking if God would have them elsewhere or still serving in Lopburi
- P (our team leader)- as he continues teaching at the university and serving at the youth house; for his language studies and seminary studies
- Sam and Lizzie- as they re-acclimate to UK culture, and start up university in October; for their futures as they both look into missions
- Students- there are several students who have expressed an interest in the Gospel, please pray for students and teachers alike to take interest; pray for fertile soil and for a desire to read and hear the Word of God
- Thai Christian students- many of them face opposition from their families; strength and endurance to keep seeking God and standing up for their faith with gentleness and love

The 2nd English Camp- touring a zoo together

Students visiting a retirement home- we had a great time! :) 

More Internet Hiccups/August Prayer Requests

For most of August, I will again have limited internet. I apologize for the lateness in my emails, but thank you for your patience, and continued support :)

Please be praying for the student ministry that I'll be involved in this month. And please be praying for the other short termers I'll be serving alongside, as well as our team leader, "P." Please pray strength and stamina for all of us, as well as open hearts and doors in building relationships with the university students in Lopburi. Please also pray for a good team dynamic, and that we would keep our hearts focused on God, as well as edify and encourage one another. Please also pray for two amazing Thai ladies that work at the university student/youth house in Lopburi. Their names are "N" and "I." Please pray for open doors for them, as well as perseverance and new friendships.

I pray God's surpassing peace for you all during August and look forward to connecting with you through blogs again in September. Thank you all again for your prayers, support, and encouragement during my time here. I couldn't do any of this without all of you.

Blessings and love, Faith

Loving Those in Front of You

A peek into what I've been thinking about lately:

When you serve people in another country, such as Thailand, it's often easy to love the people here because they not only look different than you, but there's also this expectation that because they live in a different culture, they will also act different. Expectations coming in to work with them are usually pretty gracious...usually.

But let me ask you this, what about loving the people in front of you? I mean people like your co-workers, your boss, the man/woman who just swerved in front of your lane as you were driving, or that "annoying" family member that always seems to grate on your nerves. Oh yes, those people :)

I'm going to be honest with all of you. Before I left for Thailand, I had a job where I struggled to love several of my female co-workers. Women who should know better than to act the way they do, who pick out people and treat them cruelly because it makes themselves feel better. The kind of women that are bitter and vengeful.

And do you want to know the most terrible thing about this situation: I worked this job for 3 years, and realized last Fall that I had never learned to love them. Ever. And I knew then, that I had been sinning against God for secretly hating them, He who created them.

And as I was applying to go on this short term trip, I realized that this needed to change. How was I ever going to love the Thai people who I had never even met, if I hadn't learned to love the people I worked with every day. I would just be exchanging one set of personalities and problems for another. And so I asked God to change my heart, and for help in treating them with love. They became my "unreached people group" that needed to be reached.

And I'll admit, it was hard. Because most times I wanted to tell them off and put them in their place. But a verse I learned in my first year at university always came to mind, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)."

These women that I tried to love for the 5 months before I left for Thailand never did accept the love I kept offering. In fact for one woman, it made her more angry, and for another she made fun of the way I was treating her. It was like a kick to the gut and very degrading. But also humbling. And I'm still learning to love them- even while I'm over here. I know I don't pray enough for them, and so I need God to remind me each day and to supply me with a love for them. Even when I'm miles away from them.

I think it's the same way in missions. Part of being a missionary is getting use to the idea of being rejected. Because not all people are going to accept Christ. But loving people despite this rejection is so important. Without realizing it, I think God has been blessing me with a taste of this "rejection" back home in this job, readying me for missions. It doesn't mean being "rejected" will get easier, but it does mean that loving people should begin meaning more to me.

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 13 and stopped at the beginning of verse 4, "Love is patient." Patience is a willingness to bear despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity. You can't be patient, unless it's a difficult situation that requires a willingness to bear (no matter the length of time). I want to love the people God puts in front of me, even the "not-so-loveable ones," but that means I need to learn patience as well. I want to willingly bear, even if it's hard, because I know love is the goal. And God is love, and I want more of God. He's worth it all.

So, my challenge to all of us, that we would all learn together to love the people in front of us- the creepy, the grumpy, the annoying, the smelly, the crazy, the scary, the overwhelming, the bitter, the hard-hearted- because our God, who is Love, calls us to something greater in this world...to love.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:8

So come on...be a little crazy and love people with me :)

A Recap of July: Life in Isaan

Most of the time in July was spent in Isaan, the northeast part of Thailand. It's more rural and definitely poorer than some of the other parts of Thailand. And I think it has more mosquitoes too :)

During my time in Isaan, my ministry partner, Laila, and I shadowed the missionaries as they went around. We were also joined by two Australians, who added the right amount of fun and enthusiasm to keep us going when we were busy and tired. It was a blessing to have such a compatible group. We were able to encourage and edify each other in the Lord without reservation. A beautiful picture of the body of Christ working together with various talents and abilities. 

We were able to get involved in Bible teaching at an elementary school on Fridays, where we went into 3 different classrooms to sing Christian songs, act out a Bible story, play a few games, and then start a craft. Working with Thai children was such a joy! And the twinkle in their eyes when things are "sah-nook maak," or "a lot of fun" was a blessing to see.

We were also able to get involved with an English club on Thursdays as we taught middle and high school students about the human body, directions and locations, as well as food. Then on Friday evenings we had youth club which gave us time to interact more personally with the youth in Isaan, as well as to start building relationships with them. I have never had my photo taken so much in my life and with so many poses! I don't think I will ever take pictures the same way again :)

The rest of the week we had opportunities to go with one of the missionaries, "S," into villages around the area where we lived, where S did open evangelism. He would start off by taking out his guitar and just sitting down and singing (which Thai's love!! And they have such beautiful voices). Then S would share a story from the Gospel, and ask questions to the people who had come to listen. He would then pose the people with a question at the end that might challenge them to think further about Jesus and His love for them. This was a very cool thing to see, but I have to admit, as we were sitting there, I was amazed at S's ability to share so openly and willingly. After asking him about his boldness in sharing Christ, he said it's something that comes with practice, time, and a whole lot of prayer. Coming and sharing with love and gentleness is so key and leaving it open to them as to whether they have more questions is important. 

My overall time in Isaan was growing for me. I had never seen so much "front-line" type mission work, but it was exciting to see new and creative ways of loving and serving people in Thailand.Very thankful for the time that I was there.

Prayer Requests

1. For missionaries in Isaan- there are very few people coming to know Jesus in Isaan- it's been a slow process; this can be tough anywhere someone is serving in missions; pray for encouragement, strength, and patience as the missionaries try new and creative ways of serving the people

2. For the people in Isaan- that God would soften the hearts of the people to be open to hearing His Word

3. For more missionaries out in Isaan- because Isaan is so far from Bangkok, it can seem a lonely place to be; pray for more missionaries who have a heart for the people of Isaan and willingness to go and live "harder"

4. For S and his wife and family- protection and overall health as they serve God in Isaan; also that God would encourage and show them signs of people accepting His Word