Week One Report!

"lift up your hands in holiness...and bless the Lord"

2/16/04

“Behold, bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, [singers] who by night stand in the house of the Lord.  Lift up your hands in holiness and to the sanctuary and bless the Lord [affectionately and gratefully praise Him]!  The Lord bless you out of Zion, even He Who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 134 Amp.

(Please be warned: This is a very long report of God’s works and I’ve only been in Thailand for three days!  I have limited opportunities to access email and may still not be able to respond to email in a timely manner.  The weekly reports will continue to be sent out as opportunity arises.)

Ø My preparations for His mission trip to Thailand were full of God-surprises!

• God allowed me to find a “woman of peace” in my class who was willing to email me class notes while I’m gone.  The best part is she is also a Christian and she attends at Antioch Bible Church!  And, she is also a nurse and she takes care of cancer patients at Cascade Cancer Center.  (This is a blessing because she also stepped up to help another friend of another friend who is battling cancer to find a doctor in the East coast, where she is originally from and she knows some possible leads.)

• I also met another woman from my class and she is from Russia.  She agreed to meet my roommate/host who is a nurse to possibly get some information about the field of nursing.  Praise God for tHis connection because she seems receptive knowing that my roommate and I are Christians.  In one email she responded back “God bless you too.” o God raised up enough funds and I was able to pay all the bills for February before I left. 

• I received another email for a possible introduction through a sister in Christ from Coal Creek Chapel for a Christian school in Chiang Mai.

• (Because of this last lead, while reviewing the Christian school’s website in Chiang Mai) God led me to find out about Evangelical Christian Credit Union based in California.  This was a blessing discovery because I learned their mission is to provide financial services for individuals (in ministry) and ministry organizations.  I have been blessed to work with different financial institutions and it was refreshing to speak the “same language” for the first time with someone concerning the financial needs of tHis ministry.  I’m looking forward to reviewing all the membership information after I get back from Thailand.

Ø My travel to Thailand has been filled with more “men, women, young boy and baby girl of peace!”

• From Seattle to Narita, Japan

• While waiting to board my flight, I overheard “three wise men” that were sitting behind me speaking about subjects that indicated to me that they might be Christians.  After a few minutes of self-control, excitement overcame me so I turned around and I asked them if they were Christians, and they are!  We chatted a bit and I learned that they were from two different churches and on their way for a mission trip to Cebu, Philippines.  I was really glad to know that we were all getting on the same flight.  (One of them even stopped by to check in on me during the flight.)

• I checked in the two allowed 70 lbs. suitcases and when I was boarding the plane, I was told that the flight was full and I could not carry my guitar and carry-on suitcase (which I learned was a little over-sized).  So I quickly grabbed everything I can think of and put the items in a spare backpack I had which had the laptop.  The flight attendant realized that I would have checked in four instead of the two allowed, and she decided not to charge me anyway.  Praise God!

• During the flight, I got seated with a family traveling to China for work.  My seat assignment was between a 9-year old boy, named Dane, and his Mom, Melissa.  Dane exclaimed, “You’re the one!” when I started to seat beside him.  He was very happy about the arrangement and his parents were very amused.  He paid me compliments and how I had beautiful hair, and he asked me a lot of questions including what my job is.  I told him that I talk to people about Jesus and he seemed to agree that it’s a good job.  He even told me that he believes Jesus is real and he thoughtfully added “I’m not sure about God” but he knew for certain that Jesus is real.  When he noticed I was scared about flying (just like his Mom), he assured me that he and Rexy (his stuffed dog) will take care of me.  He even covered me with his blanket to comfort me.  Sometime during the flight, his Mom suggested that Dane and I switch seats so she would not have to talk over me when she’s attending to him.  Dane was disappointed at first but when he realized that we would still sit together, he agreed.  He also wished me to have a good time with my friends when we were getting off the plane.  I was really blessed by his precious caring heart.

• As we were getting off the plane, a 16-month old baby girl gave me a big smile and she reached out for me to take her.  Her Mom was so gracious and she let me take her for a few minutes while we waited to get off the plane. 

• From Narita, Japan…

• The same woman and her 16-month old baby girl found me again in the airport in Narita, Tokyo.  It seemed that they were also heading for Bangkok.  The baby girl walked real fast toward me with her big beautiful smile and she let me sit her on my lap for a few minutes.  I had a chance to chat with her Mom.  When they walked away, another lady came to me and started to speak in Thai to me.

• I learned her name is Aruna and she was interested to meet me from what she overheard in my earlier conversation.  She actually thought I was her daughter’s friend because she also does “similar work” that I do.  So we chatted and through Aruna, I met another lady..

• Her name is Annie.  Annie is on her way to visit her family in Bangkok also.  When Annie learned about what I do and that I was traveling by myself, she told me that I will travel with her and her group.  (I learned while we were all getting ready to board the flight to Bangkok, Annie just met Aruna and the other “lone” passengers like me.  She had this nurturing spirit that she decided to take care of all of us!  She even offered to have me stay with her brother’s family when she learned that I was spending the night at the airport in Bangkok to wait for my flight the following morning.)  We were all seated in different seats, and again, I was glad to know that we were all in the same flight.

• After I got seated, I met the two women beside me:  La (to my right) and Monty (to my left – with an empty seat between us).  La is actually on her way to Cambodia and Monty was also going to Bangkok.  During the flight, I felt ill and thankfully I was able to take the empty seat beside mine and laid down as best I can in such narrow compartments.  I was also thankful for La and Monty who also checked on me.

• Bangkok Airport…

• It was past midnight on Friday night when we arrived in Bangkok.  I was so tired and weary.  We had to go through customs and claim our baggage.  Praise God for the smooth process through customs.  While waiting to pick out my baggage, Aruna came to wave me goodbye and gave me best wishes on the rest of my trip.  Then I saw Annie and the rest of the “group.”  Annie even translated for me to make sure that I know where I am going next…to the Domestic part of the airport.

• God got me on the right path to the Domestic section and it was literally a looonnnng tunnel where I had to walk through.  I took my time pushing my cart.  There were barely anyone else walking in the tunnel with me then I noticed someone was walking behind me.  He was wearing a blue jacket, which I recognized as the uniform of the airport personnel.  He said something to me in Thai and I responded as kindly as I can that I was not Thai and I don’t speak Thai.  He was understanding and kind, and he just accompanied me through the rest of the walk.  He even helped me push my cart.  I gathered from our limited conversation that he works in the Domestic part of the airport, handling baggage.  He started his work shift at 5 a.m..  He helped me find seats where I can rest and wait for the morning to come.

• Then God brought to me Yula and her husband Luke, Sasha and his wife  (I forget her name).  They are on vacation from Moscow, Russia and waiting for their flight to Chiang Mai, and possibly traveling to Pattaya.  Yula told me that she has been learning to speak English and she was glad to practice her English with me.  I told her that she was doing well because I can clearly understand everything that she is saying to me.  We chatted for a long while and Luke and Sasha even joined us after they got back from their quick errand to the store.  (They went to buy some beer and snacks.)  They offered me some beer and I kindly declined.  They tried to push me to drink beer during our visit and when they learned what I do, they expressed their appreciation and even invited me to come to Moscow to visit them.  (I realize they made their invitation under the influence of alcohol.  J)  Yula and Sasha gave me their emails and insisted that we stay in touch.  Sasha was also excited when he learned that I play guitar.  He told me that he plays drums and Yula verified that Sasha is a producer.  Sasha was insisting that we should play together and I told him that I play Christian music.  He said that was fine and he would like to learn some Christian music.  I asked him if he thought his other musician friends would also be willing to play Christian music, and he sincerely believed they would.  They had to catch an earlier flight and they left to check in.  I thought that was the last time I would see them so I was pleasantly surprised when they came back to bid me goodbye before heading to the departure gate .  (I almost forgot, Sasha also helped me fix my baggage in the cart to make sure everything is secured especially the guitar.)

• I prayed about my baggage as I checked in for my last flight to Chiang Rai.  I realized that I may be required to check in all four at that point and I prayed that I would receive the same favor as previously given.  Praise God for He had a special way of comforting me.  As I brought my baggage for the screening, I ran into the man who helped me earlier.  He gave me a warm smile and he even wished me “happy valentine’s day.”  I was blessed by his kindness and I felt assured that God again will take care of everything.  God led me to check in and the Ticketing agent agreed to take all three suitcases without charging me.  He let me take my guitar on the plane!

• From Bangkok to Chiang Rai…

• I was starting to feel better when I got to the gate to wait for my flight.  It was the last haul and I started to get hungry.  I was thankful I had some cash money that I was able to exchange and I was able to buy some food.  After eating, I found some vacant seats and I laid down to rest for a bit.  I got up after about an hour and a young Thai woman spoke something to me.  I gathered from her body language, she asked me if I could look after her things while she goes to the restroom.  I smiled back and I told her I would.  After she got back, she offered to buy me food to pay me for looking after her things.  I smiled back and I told her that it was not necessary, and I thanked her for her offer.  She smiled again and left.

• About a half-hour away from the time when our plane will start to board, a young man with a guitar came over and asked if he could sit with us.  (He noticed my guitar and he thought I was with the people I was seated with.)  We started talking about his trip and we compared experiences with our guitar “carry on”.  I also learned that he is also coming on a mission trip…to minister to some orphanages.  He goes to an Assembly of God church in Calgary.  Again I was blessed to know that he was going to be on the same flight as I was.  (By the way, when we arrived at the Chiang Rai airport, it turned out that his hosts know my hosts because they attend the same church, Chiang Rai International Fellowship Church.)

• My hosts were working the day I arrived and it worked perfectly.  They gave me a quick orientation to their house and they went back to work.  I spent the rest of the day and the evening sleeping to help me get acclimated with the new time zone I’m in.  Praise God for the safe and blessed travels.

“For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus’ sake. For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifested in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-7 Amp.

• God started bringing ministry opportunities even on my first day (of being awake), Sunday, February 15th.  I learned that the church service for Chiang Rai International Fellowship Church (where missionary workers from Chiang Rai and other close vicinities attend church) is on Sunday afternoons.  I can’t tell you how blessed I was to join and unite with God’s workers representing different ministry organizations and church denominations, and different countries.  Last night when I was getting ready for bed, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of deep honor and respect for these faithful workers of God.  At the same time, God filled me with more compassion and deeper desire to be an encouragement to these laborers.  Learning the language has been a big struggle and a source of discouragement for some of the laborers, and they continue to persevere by God’s grace.  They are a true source of inspiration and I’m looking forward to learning more from as many of these faithful laborers as God will allow me to spend time with while I’m here.

• Before going to church, I met with:

• Workers at Home of the Open Heart (from Australia) – an orphanage for babies born with HIV.  I also met Penny, the founder of this ministry and she has invited me to come and spend time with the babies; maybe some worship time with her staff also next Monday, 2/23.  God’s will be done.

• Toby Knoblauch, (from Germany) the founder of The Father’s House ministry to college/universities.  He is also the worship leader at the Chiang Rai International Fellowship church.  I’ve been blessed with his invitation to work with the worship team for the ministry to the college/universities they are working with in Chiang Mai.  We’ve scheduled to meet more about this opportunity this Saturday, 2/21.  He has also invited me to help and lead worship at Chiang Rai International Fellowship Church on Sunday, March 6th; also to work with their worship staff next Friday, 2/27.  God’s will be done.

·         After the church service, God blessed me with another ministry opportunity on Tuesday morning, 2/17 (possibly every Tuesday while I’m here).  Helping with worship and some work in the Library at the Family Learning Center, run by American missionaries.  God’s will be done.

·         In addition, I’ve been invited to attend a weekly intercessory prayer group on Thursday evenings.  God’s will be done.

·         This coming Sunday evening, my hosts have opened up their home to other missionary friends and I will cook Filipino food.  May God bless and make all the food “yummy to our tummies!”  All glory to God!

·         I’m also looking forward to spending time with the girls at the House of Eden, run by Vern and Audrey (where my hosts also work).  God’s will be done.

God bless you for making it this far!  My hosts (David and Julie Rotz) are wonderful and they have been such an encouragement by introducing me to as many other ministry organizations they know of to see what other doors God opens up for me.  They have also been very accommodating with their schedules to make sure one of them can take me where I need to go.  (Some of the people I’m meeting with also agreed to come and pick me up.)  God is very good!!!  Your continued prayer coverings are being answered and His will continues to be done to His pleasure.

Some prayer requests on behalf of my hosts, David and Julie Rotz:

§ House rent will be renewed for another three years and they are praying for either no rate increase or very minimal increase.

§ Be able to raise all the funds (need $10,000 more) to purchase a truck.  Their current mode of transportation is a motorbike, which is fine when they don’t have to transport anyone else, or when it is not raining. 

§ Continue to learn the language (speak and write Thai)

“I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Forever, I’ll love you. Forever, I’ll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.” Shout To The Lord by Darlene Zchech