What Happened to all the Candy and Stickers?

Just wanted to let you all know that the candy and stickers some of you sent with me has been used for the kids camps! And...there is still some left that I'm hoping to give to a camp coming up in June. Thank you all for your love in sending those goodies over. The kids were told that they were sent from people in the USA as a treat.

At the camp, the candy was used for treats/prizes while the stickers were used for arts and crafts. The pictures below show just how big of a hit the arts and crafts were. Thai's are so creative with crafts! The one girl asked me to help her, but I wasn't sure that I was much of a help! They all did so well :) Please be praying for the little hands that made these crafts and that God would use them to be the hands of Jesus as they learn to love and serve others.

The Tough Topic of Thailand

Warning: Please make sure you read this before your children do- deciding then if they should or not. The topic in this is a tough one. Also, I am writing from the worldview that God is the Creator, and the Bible is my Authority because I am a Christ-follower. So the ideas and opinions in this are from a Biblical perspective. As most all of my posts are based around my relationship with God and His Word. Just a friendly reminder :)

SO... "sex" is big in Thailand. The selling of it, the buying of it, the exploiting of it. Everything that sex was not made for, you can see it here. Satan has twisted sex into a thing that man can use for his own purposes, rather than something made to show the intimate and committed union between a husband and wife. And sex IS a beautiful thing, when it is used for the purpose that God created it for. But when used for other purposes, it becomes a chain of iron that chokes and controls its users.

So why am I talking about sex? Because sex and sexual orientation was the topic at the youth camp I went to (the youth at this camp were ages 14-25ish). And after arriving I found out why such an "uncomfortable" but popular subject is discussed with kids as young as 14. Because it's popular, but abused here and has become an issue. STD's are so common, being gay/lesbian is widely accepted, and the thing that surprised me the most is how readily available and easy it is to get a sex change here.

It starts as the kids are growing up- they're labeled. So if a girl does more boyish things, or a boy does more girly things, then parents or friends will say, "hmm, they should get their gender changed as soon as possible." And this happens even when the children are as young as 3! Not ALL people do this here, but it's still widely accepted that sex changes are a part of life for some people. While not all get sex changes, there are still youth who believe that they are truly the opposite gender on the inside (boys thinking they are truly girls, and girls thinking they are truly boys). So they will either act and/or dress like the opposite gender, as well as refer to themselves as a guy if they are a girl, or a girl if they are a guy.

Then there's the common problem of men having feelings for other men, and women having feelings for other women. They have no guidelines for relationships- just their media and in their media anything goes. Sounds a little like, America, right? Yes, but worse. See we've had the Bible and Christian influence in our laws and history. Thailand, has not. Since they were never colonized by a "Chrisitan" nation, the Bible and God's values have been brought in much later. But the Bible's principles are foreign to them. And so they look to their media to dictate their values.

I'd like to tell you all a story about a young man who I met at youth camp, and I'll call him "Jeremy". Jeremy is about my age, and I had the chance to chat with him through the kindness of a translator. His story goes like this. Jeremy and a couple of his friends started dressing like girls at 15 years of age. Inside they felt they were truly women, and they had romantic feelings for guys as well. And he grew up believing that because he was more feminine, he was actually a woman. So they wore girls clothes ("mini-skirts," he told me in order to be the extreme), make-up, high heels, and started taking hormones in order to develop curves and breasts. And it worked. They acted female and were accepted as female. But Jeremy told me that He never felt accepted. I think the truth is that he never fully accepted it himself being female, and still felt male. He was confused.

And then Jeremy came to accept Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. I don't know the specifics on this, but I think it may have been at a Christian camp his friend invited him to. After coming to know Christ, he said he didn't feel right about dressing and acting like a woman anymore. So he stopped taking the hormones, and began dressing like a man again. And here he is 9 years later after first dressing as a woman, and said he still struggles with feeling like a woman sometimes, and having feelings for other men. But then, he also doesn't feel right acting like a woman anymore.

One of the first questions he asked me after we sat down was, "What do you see when you look at me?" I thought for a moment and responded that I don't feel uncomfortable around him (though I could tell he was uncomfortable around me, unsure of why I was chatting with him). I said that I could see he was a kind-hearted person and I wanted to know more about him. Then I asked him the question, "What do you think God sees when He looks at you?" This honestly stumped him. At first he responded with what he thought everyone else says about him, but I wanted to know what he thought Jesus sees when Jesus looks at him. And then I told him, "In the Bible it says that God says you are wonderfully made, every part of you, just the way you were born. He doesn't make mistakes when he creates someone. He has purposes for them the way He created them. When Jesus looks at you, He loves you, completely." Psalm 139 says it all about God's love for each of us as a beautiful part of His creation. I think this was a lot for Jeremy to take in. In a culture that says it's okay to change if you feel like it, accepting who you are as a beautiful creation of God is so foreign to him. We talked a little more about life, what he does now, and how he wants his friends to come to know Jesus. He loves Jesus and feels peace in his life that he never felt before, even though he still struggles with feelings towards men. He feels conflicted, but says God always gives him the strength he needs for each day.

So this is the situation in Thailand among the youth. Jeremy's story is not an uncommon one. Jeremy never took the next step to get plastic surgery to change his gender. But many youths are doing so now, and it's only going to get worse in a country where it's so easy to. I've heard it called the "generation of the sex change". But the question amongst Christians here is what will happen to those who have changed their sex, but then come to know Christ? How will the Church come along side and help them? How will they love them? These questions aren't easily answered.

But Jeremy's story went straight to my heart. I don't struggle with feelings for other women, or with feeling like a man. But I have my own struggles, my own temptations. And these temptations and the sin that results when I give in should never be considered "less of a sin" than Jeremy's struggles and sins. Just because you can't always see the sin that blackens my heart, those "hidden sins", doesn't mean it's not as deadly as the sin that we can see so physically manifested in this culture. All sin is hideous to God. I repeat all sin. And all sin is in need of God's precious grace and mercy that He gives through Christ. Jeremy and I both have Jesus, who helps us in our struggles, and who offers out forgiveness freely and wants to reconcile us back, and give us peace and satisfaction in Him alone. But what about the millions of other youth in this country searching for not just a sex change, but identity and meaning in life? Will you pray with me for the youth in Thailand?

Prayer Requests:
1. For this "generation of the sex change"- that they would want change, but the kind that deals with the heart
2. For mentors- that godly men/women in Thailand would mentor the youth and hold each other accountable (it's a privilege we share as part of the body of Christ to lean on one another- Galatians 6:2)
3. For Jeremy and his friends at the camp- for continued daily strength and seeking Christ for Jeremy; and for his friends who came that are not Christians (that they would see and want the peace Jeremy has)
4. For Thai Christians that they would see this problem and not be afraid to reach out and love those that are  going through different struggles and temptations than they are
5. For Thai Christians that might struggle with one of these temptations- feelings for the same gender, or men feeling like women, and women feeling like men- that they would seek God to change their heart and love Christ more deeply- and that after going through this would seek to pray for/help others who may struggle with the same temptations

I was reading in Jude at camp, and found this verse to be such an encouragement (verses 23-24): "Show mercy still to others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives [notice it says to hate the sin, not the person]." And I love how verse 24 completes this, "Now all glory to God who is able to keep you from falling away and who will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence." So, the glory goes to God, and it's His joy to hold and keep us from falling away and to usher us into His presence. I'm thankful that all strength and ability to fight against sin, to conquer the thoughts that enslave us, and to choose daily to follow Christ, rest in one man alone, Jesus. What a wonderful Savior we have. I pray the Thai youth can come to know this Savior and accept His help to daily live a life that pleases Him on earth, and to then be brought into Heaven with great joy by the one who loves and holds them in His hands.

Please continue to pray with me as we serve these beautiful Thai people together. Many thanks and love to you all :)

First and second picture are of the youth praying for each other at the camp-  this night they prayed that they would be able to live as examples of purity at home and that God would continue to be their strength as they fight to live each day pleasing to Him in a culture that makes it hard.

The "Shocking" Part of a Culture

Fairly recently, I received an email from a friend that said I must have not gone through culture shock while here, since I haven't really talked about it. Please let me set the record straight. I'll be the first to tell you that, yes, I have indeed gone through culture shock while here. Please don't think that I'm some super woman or crazy "Wonder-Woman" type missionary. The truth is I'm human. And I'm dealing with certain things here that I still shake my head at, but that I constantly have to tell myself, "It's not bad, it's just different."

So let me be honest with you and tell you what my heart has seen and my mind has thought, but what my mouth has not complained about yet. But oh yes, I have complained it all in my head :)

1. The heat: I'm from Pennsylvania. I love the seasons, especially the cooler seasons...like snow. And here, there's about as much chance of snow as there is for me to see a flying monkey. Actually, it's probably more likely that I would see a flying monkey around here.
2. How they line up or lack of: so you know how we line up...like in a line at the grocery store or waiting to pay for our gas inside the gas station. Well they don't line up here. So for the first couple weeks, people kept butting in front of me! It drove me crazy. I felt like saying "excuse me" but I didn't know how to say that in Thai. And it's probably good because lining up isn't a rule here and it really isn't rude to "not" line up. So now I make it my goal to get as close to the person in front of me as possible...without letting them smell my "foreign-ish-ness" smell ;)
3. It bothers me that Thai's can read the faces of foreigners so well. They say the "western" face is the easiest to read, so as I'm going through smelling different things and learning different things, I also have to make sure I don't give too much away too much with my face. And that's like impossible for me because I can be so dramatic, especially when I'm going in through culture shock in a new culture! In addition to this, it bothers me that I can't read their facial expressions at all. But I'm praying God brings me wisdom with that in time.
4. It bothers me that I "smell" to them: Yes, foreigners smell to them. I smell to them...I'm just smelly. And I pride myself on being clean and having good hygiene. But they've got amazing noses here. So when my feet get dirty or I've sweated a couple buckets of water, I'm thinking...I must smell like a toilet to them.
5. It bothers me that there are ants that crawl into every piece of the food I buy. Literally (unless it's in the refrigerator) there will be an ant in your food within 5 minutes or less. They're everywhere.
6. It bothers me that I'm always being bitten by mosquitoes: And I always end each day with about 5 new mosquito bites. I'm beginning to question if I'm the only food source for the mosquitoes here in Thailand.
7. The Where Do I Find Clothing My Size Problem: Where is the "Girls with Hips" clothing store? I mean, come on, I'm an American who eats well, loves chocolate, doesn't skip meals, and did I mention who loves chocolate ? I've got me some hips...and a butt (we don't need to emphasize that though). So as my 4 pairs of capris wear out, I'm thinking...I might need to find some new capris around here. But all the capris I find here make it about halfway up my calf. Perhaps I should try men's shorts? Or a paper bag?

BUT, I LOVE...
1. I love that there's air conditioning here to enjoy (that's one thing I've never been thankful for, but I am now). And I love the breezes that sweep in and cool me off when it's hot as it is now.
2. I love watching Thai people interact with each other and I love their outrageously funny laughs and great senses of humor.
3. I love that when you look into the eyes of a Thai person, you see something deeper. Even though I can't read them, I can see that there's something more that I'm missing. And I just want to get to know them and see what they see.
4. I love how Thai people smell! They smell so good. It's always a mix of fruit, flowers, and baby powder. It's wonderful, and I love it.
5. While I don't love anything about the ants, I love that I've learned not to waste the food I buy. I've learned to guard all food with a vengeance. And did you know that in some countries, next to the toilet is a little squirter (to, you know, "hose" off after you go to the bathroom). Guess what I use that for...that's right...ant target practice :) It's very effective!
6. I love that there are geckos here to eat the mosquitoes. I consider them my other "roommates".
7. I love that Thai people have a unique sense of style. So that when the capris don't fit, there are a ton of other options to try out. Perhaps it's time for me to start rocking the skirt.

So yes, I have gone through culture shock, and there are a ton of other little things that have grated on my nerves after a while, but there are also a ton of things to love about this amazing country and the people in it. And God is good at taking off the blinders of my own culture and helping me to appreciate the diversity of another. Praise the Lord for that :)

This guy, whom I've named DG (Darn Gecko), is a Tokay Gecko. They're beautiful and they're nocturnal so this guy loves to come out at night and croak as I'm about to fall sleep :)  

Loving the Thai People

Since I've been in Thailand, God has given me just an overwhelming love for the people here. The more I am around Thai people, the more I want to be around them. And I thought I might just share just a few reasons why I love the Thai people, and perhaps even give you a love for them as well.

Their smell: I know, many of you are like, "Really, Faith? You're such a creeper." But the truth is Thai's smell really good. Most Thai's love to smell good and keep clean because it's just so hot here. Interestingly enough, it is the commonly held belief here in Thailand that foreigners smell "weird." So, for the first time in my life, I've embraced the Thai remedy for always smelling good- baby powder. They have a full aisle of this stuff in their stores. And in all different brands and smells. I love it! But watch out for the ones with menthol- those burn!

Their smiles: When the people smile here, they really smile! Teeth (or lack of) and all! I love that :) When Thai's smile, it warms my heart. And I can't help but smile in return :)

Their laughter: I love to have a good laugh, and Thai's have big laughs. It always seems like there's something to laugh about with them, even when there's a language barrier. But it's helped me be able to laugh at myself and to find the day to day humorous moments.

Their beauty: The Thai people think Westerners are beautiful because of our white skin (And in fact there are a ton of "whitening" products for skin here. I actually have to be careful I don't buy them, so that when I come back you aren't blinded by my neon-ness. And I already know what you are thinking- could I possibly get any whiter? Yes, the impossible is possible). So after being told that I'm beautiful, I have had to tell so many Thai's that I think they are the beautiful ones. I love their smiling eyes, beautiful grins, caramel skin, and most of all, their kind hearts. They are beautiful to me.

I am daily finding more things to love about these amazing people and the land they love.
Pray with me for the Thai's and for the God that wants them to know Him.
Prayer Requests:
1. For the smell- that they wouldn't smell my "foreign-ish-ness" but the scent of Jesus on me and want His presence and transforming power in their lives (2 Corinthians 2:15- being the sweet aroma of Christ to the world)
2. For their smiles- that when they smile, it would be with the joy of knowing the Creator that calls them by name (Isaiah 43:7)
3. For their laugh- that when they laugh, it would be from knowing that they are completely loved by Jesus and nothing can separate them from that (Rom. 8:38-39)
4. For their desire to be beautiful- that they would find the God who made them and created each of them beautifully from His own image (Gen. 1:27)

Thank you for praying with me for these beautiful people!

A little boy and his daddy at one of the churches in Central Thailand.