Beloved
Supports and Partners,
Tuesday:
It’s raining
right now. It’s been raining since we
returned from the Hill Tribes yesterday afternoon and it is expected to rain
for the next 5 days. The steady rain
seems so natural as we gaze into the lush green forest that surrounds our
hotel. It is quite beautiful and calming.
Well, all of
that good eating and dining caught up with some of the team members. Early this morning, Riley was down with an
upset stomach and some flu symptoms and had multiple visits to the bathroom. Thank goodness he could sit on this
pottie. But he still doesn’t regret
putting that extra dose of spicy, hot sauce on his dinner last night. He was the center of our prayers this morning,
and it is so good to have a doctor in the house. As Riley’s guardian, Stan stayed back at the
hotel with him. They were very
disappointed that they would miss the work projects at ZOE, but showed a sly
sense of glee as they sent their teammates on their way.
Our dear Kristen
ate something that didn’t agree with her while we were at the village and was
out for the morning, but she rebounded very quickly. Greg was “running” all around the village
and somehow survived. At the ZOE prayer
meeting last night, Stephen concentrated on a single prayer for himself to
cover similar symptoms. But they are
well and your prayers were answered even before they were uttered. God is so good. Thank you.
Anyway, breakfast
was served at 6:00am this morning, and the team met for devotions at 7:00. Kalei led us in worship and the good doctor
provided encouragements to us. Marvin
related two personal stories from his life that provided great lessons for what
he is experiencing on this trip. One
lesson was that when you give of your time and resources, it is always the
giver, rather than the receiver, who is truly blessed. Amen!
And secondly, when you think that you’ve fallen short of what you feel
you are expected to deliver, God always finds an unexpected way to show you how
your actions worked for good. Amen,
again! His homily and text came from Luke
21:1-4, the story of the Widow’s mite, and how God used an ordinary person to
do extraordinary things under His wings.
Our friend and doctor encouraged all of us.
The team was
off to ZOE (minus Riley and Stan) to complete some work projects. Prior to starting the projects, Carol
reviewed the long range plans and vision of ZOE with the team. When one looks at all of the minute details
of the plans, it is amazing to see how God has caused Mike and Carol and the
staff to consider every possible need for the future. An example is the building of space to
accommodate “elder orphans” – those seniors who have nowhere to live or go and
will be used to teach the young ones about the traditions and values of the
past. There is just no better way to
describe this than just “amazing”. With
God, nothing is impossible.
The work
projects included painting two and a half rooms and organizing the myriad of
teaching materials that have accumulated at ZOE. The sense was that the paint that was used
would not be legal in America - pretty tough stuff. But everyone survived and the rooms looked
great. The team is still working on the
teaching materials, but it will get done.
Bryce was
requested by ZOE to conduct a seminar on leadership with the missionaries and
Thai leaders. Carol was very thankful for Bryce sharing his
talents and skills to help make ZOE a more productive and efficient
organization. Bryce was certainly in his
element and enjoyed every minute of it.
Wow, the
rain is really coming down in buckets right now. No thunder and lightning……yet.
Today,
during our devotions and after dinner, the team members shared about why they
came to Thailand and what they expected to learn from God on this trip. The sharing was rich and transparent and it
enhanced the relationships that have been built and the bonding that has been
solidified thus far on this trip. So, we
have learned from each other. We have
learned through the children we served.
We have learned through the work we shared. We have learned through your faithful prayers
for our team. And we will continue to
learn about the love and Grace of our loving and faithful God and our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you,
Beloved, for teaching us.
We will be
up early, again, tomorrow with devotions starting at 7:00am after breakfast. We look forward to reaching out to another
Buddhist school and a children’s orphanage tomorrow. Send your light before us, O Lord, and open
the hearts of those who seek You.
“May the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ
Jesus.” Romans 15:5.
And we will
praise Him,
Your
Thailand Missions Team.
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