Week
Four Report!
3/1/04 to 3/10/04
“He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. He set the earth on its foundation; it can never be moved.” Psalm 104:2-5 niv
Coming back to Washington was filled with different emotions and as expected, the long travel took its physical toll on me. But no matter how tired I am at this time, I know He is recovering me and He is restoring me in His time. As I reflect on everything that God has allowed to happen this past month…this last week in Chiang Rai, I praise Him as King David wrote in Psalm 104. As the planes flew through gusty winds and as it hit air pockets, I was reminded that God’s divine protection was upon all of His children. There was nothing to be afraid of because He is in control.
My last week in Chiang Rai, March 1st to March 10th, God gave me more opportunities to spend more time to nurture the new relationships He blessed me with.
On Monday, March 1st, Julie was able to arrange for us to have some praise and worship time in the evening at their home. We were joined by Kate B. (missionary from Australia who is working with the local community development ministries); and Daniel (also on staff at Baan Eden). Duhm (she teaches Thai at the Family Learning Center and lovingly referred to as Pii Duhm to address an older person although I never got a chance to verify if she is really older than I am J) also came for some fellowship time. It was a wonderful time of ministry by the Holy Spirit and we were all transformed and renewed by His works in our hearts.
On Tuesday, March 2nd, I was able to go back to the Family Learning Center. The worship time that morning was led by one of the students, Alyssa, and I was blessed to be ushered in to our Father’s throne of grace. After the service, I spent more time helping in the Library entering data in to their system. I was also able to stay and have lunch with the school staff. After I was done in the Library, I got a ride from Audrey to Baan Eden.
I spent the rest of the day in Baan Eden and it gave me more time to visit with Audrey and Vern. It was also good to be with the girls again. I had the privilege to help out again and my heart was full at the end of the day.
The following day on Wednesday, Ladda (one of the staff) from Baan Eden picked me up and she took me to a park in the nearby University. With the help of the Thai-English (Phonetic) Dictionary I borrowed from David, I tried my best to communicate with her. After the park, she took me to her workplace then we went into town to have lunch. I have to admit that it was frustrating not to speak the language fluently. But I’m also thankful that I can trust the Holy Spirit to intercede perfectly and that the love of God broke down the walls of language barrier.
On Thursday night, Ladda came to pick me up again as we have arranged the week before for me to come to have dinner at their house. Again, through broken communication, Ladda was able to share what her life is about…her two children (19 year old son who is rebellious; and an 11 year old daughter who she’s still able to bring to church with her). She also showed me family pictures and I just felt privileged that she let me into her heart and life this way. It was a bit overwhelming because I couldn’t process everything that I’m learning about her the usual way. I had questions and God gave me insights, and I couldn’t relate as well as I wanted to. Again, I praise God for He knows exactly how to relate to Ladda and I keep on trusting to receive His wisdom and His guidance by His Spirit every step of the way.
On Friday afternoon, Toby K. and I met to go over the praise and worship songs for the worship time at the Chiang Rai International Fellowship last Sunday evening. We got some of the songs down and still didn’t have the final line-up at the end of our meeting. I do praise God that Toby was open to whatever God decides to do and we both trusted that everything will go according to God’s will.
On Friday evening, I was blessed to be invited by Jesse Ylauan to join the YWAM Prayer and Praise Night at Baan Eden. We started the evening with some praise and worship songs then we broke up in groups praying for: families, government, children, young adults and university students, and missionaries. It was also a great time for me to connect the dots with everyone that I’ve met and have had the privilege to come alongside with. They all made me feel welcome and I felt at home.
In between commitments, I was also thankful to have the chance to hit the books to help me prepare for my final exams this coming Monday. I did finish all the required reading and I’m praying that it will all make sense when I’m sitting down to take my test on Monday evening. May God bring back to mind everything that I’ve read and may His peace give me understanding so I can answer the questions correctly. J J
Last Sunday morning, I was invited to visit Ladda’s church, the same church where the girls from Baan Eden go. The service was in Thai and because I was sitting in a different area from Audrey, she would word out to me what Scripture they are reading from. The girls were amused with our process and I was thankful for Audrey's persistence. I also met new people that morning and I was blessed to receive godly love from every one of them. After church, I went to lunch across the street from the church with Ladda and her daughter. Afterwards, we headed back to their church to pick up Ladda’s motorbike and while I was waiting for Ladda, Manop asked me, “Do you love Thai people?” I’ve never been asked this question before and I answered back, “Yes, I do love the Thai people.” That moment was a revelation in my heart because I knew that it was God loving the Thai people through me. Before we left the church, I was able to invite Ladda and others to attend the English service at Chiang Rai International Fellowship that afternoon. I was blessed when they agreed to join us.
So Ladda took me back to Baan Eden on Sunday afternoon because I have arranged to ride in to church with her and her son Alex for our worship rehearsal at 3 p.m. While waiting for Audrey and Alex, I had a chance to hang out with some of the girls and the staff. Buuluu was actually playing praise and worship songs on the keyboard when we arrived. Before long, some of us gathered around the keyboard and just praised and worshipped God with songs. Ahmee and I took turns playing the guitar. It was wonderful to relax with the girls in our Father's presence.
I was looking forward to coming together and to rehearse with the worship team for the Chiang Rai International Fellowship service that evening: Alex played bass; Bruce played electric guitar (Toy and Supit’s son); Zach played bongos (Kenny and Vickie’s son); Toby on acoustic guitar and vocals; Alyssa (Jesse and Ute’s daughter) for vocals. We still didn’t have the line-up firmed up but we knew that we would be teaching a new song, “He Is Yahweh” by Dean Salyn. We went through rehearsal and firmed up the line-up as we rehearsed. Praise God for His Spirit took over and our worship time was blessed by God’s presence. I’m very thankful for the privilege to lead in worship…it was a great honor for me to be in a room-full of missionaries and their families, and other Thai brothers and sisters in Christ all coming humbly together to our Father God’s Throne of grace.
On Monday, March 7th, I received another visit from Ladda and we were able to have more fellowship time and it was tough because of the language barrier. Again, I was able to call on a couple of people to keep us in prayers and God’s will was done.
On Tuesday evening, March 8th, I went to spend time at Baan Eden and since the girls are also getting ready to go back to their villages because school is out, I was really glad to see them all again before I left. Instead of the usual schedule, we had a party to celebrate a couple of birthdays - Bethany's (one of the staff) and Ampon's (one of the girls). Audrey baked her famous home-made brownies and we also had ice cream. We played a game and I can't remember the exact name though...something like the "tail of the donkey"? Anyway, I was the last to play and as hard as David tried to spin and to confuse me being blind-folded, I won! We also had corporate prayer for Bethany and Ampon's birthdays, and they also blessed me by including me in their prayers. So the three of us sat in the middle of the circle, and the staff and the girls layed their hands on the three of us - and they all prayed at the same time!!! Woohoo!!! More prayer showers!!!! The other best part about the evening were all the hugs I got from the girls!
I spent my last two days reviewing for school and packing, and some last minute errands. I praise God for Julie was able to take me back to the Family Learning Center on Tuesday so I can take some pictures of the school staff and the kids. The rest of the time I have been resting in our God’s embrace and praying for what lies ahead.
I also praise God for I was able to leave behind some magnets and New Testament Bibles courtesy of the William Booth Shelter run by the Salvation Army in Seattle. May God bless each recipient and may He receive all the glory forever and ever.
My heart was touched by the people in Chiang Rai and I’m looking forward to finding opportunities to get more equipped for when I go back next January 2005. I’m praying that God will allow for me to go back for longer than the month scheduled to teach at Baan Khao Dee. May God direct my steps for the rest of tHis year according to His perfect will. I want to go back for a longer time if it is God’s will…. I trust in His will and I lean not on my understanding. I acknowledge my God in all my ways and I know He will direct my path just as He promises in His Word (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Singing of His praises,
Bettina