Day 5 - Every Tribe and Tongue - the family of God

I saw her again. The muslim woman. She and her family "happened" to have breakfast at the same place we were dining. We shared a bright smile - like a brilliant confirmation of all God has planned in her life. I spent the rest of breakfast noticing the similarities and differences in our families. I wanted to know if she wore her burka joyously or if it was a bondage. And I searched my heart with the same questions. A heavy burden rolled over my spirit like a cloud: "How do I pray for someone when I am so far from knowing her or comprehending her situation? I don't even know her name."

"Don't try to understand. Just pray." Came the answer.

During service at ACC, Dusty challenged us to hear the smallest voice of God. I wondered in mirth if the Thais and Nepalis present thought he might be speaking in tongues without an interpreter.

At discussion time, Rosie (Doc and Zina's daughter) relayed how they had liquidated their life in America in about two weeks, acquired their passports in eleven days and come. Then "Susie" began to share. In broken English mixed with Burmese she told the Paulean story of how God called her to Thailand with little money (about 1200 bat - or 36ish American dollars) and no contacts. Her family thinks she's crazy. She sometimes wonders if it isn't true, but God leads her and provides for her and gives her opportunities to minister. Even though I caught about every fifth word, I understood. As we held hands, she apologized that she could only pray in Burmese, but we all agreed - the Spirit interprets for us. So we prayed for one another - sisters of different circumstances chasing the same Heart. It was beautiful.

At 1 o' clock we piled into two different cars . . . And, yes, I literally mean piled. Six of us smashed into the five-person cab and four more sat in the truck bed. "If we were in America we would SO be getting arrested for this." Anyway, the caravan made its way to Krabi Town to celebrate with Pastor Ong, his little family and their church as they had their first, fully-structured service in his new home.
"Check out THAT cross!" Jeremy crowed as we turned onto Ong's street. Probably four or five feet tall, constructed INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE in glass tile, was Ong's cross. I marveled at the thought that when the sun goes down in Krabi, the True Light shines through. :D

EVERY person who claims the name of Jesus should pursue AT LEAST a short term mission just for the experience of worship. The song sheets were graciously printed in Thai and English. We all exulted later at how otherworldly it was to sing the same song in at least two different tongues - at the same time! Then pastor Ong shared about God's justice and mercy (Matthew 20:1-16) while Pastor Chris interpreted (Chris, his wife April and their girls were Thai missionaries who came back to South Thailand last year - for such a time as this).  They spoke about how Thailand is so steeped in the concept of Karma [Whatever your circumstances are you deserve them. You must have done something in a previous life to earn them (we in the West really need to stop jokingly using that term. It is a sad, hopeless thing to believe)] - that the Grace of God and the mercy of God are absolutely unknown to them. They cannot even hope for such a love. So when we as believers walk in these places, we truly carry the Light and the Hope. As I listened to the English and Thai and Burmese spoken and sung today...  As I looked around at my brothers and sisters from, Thailand, Burma, Nepal, Georgia, South Africa, Virginia and, yes, Idaho :) I was reminded of Revelation 5:9 "And they sang a new song saying, 'Worthy are you to take the book and break its seals; for you were slain, and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.' "

Pray for your family across the world, and ask God when you are to GO. "Please send young people here to learn and speak Thai," April pled. "It's really had!" And she laughed. Pray, Connectors - and anyone reading this. When it comes to missions, we are all called to go. It's simply a matter of to where, when and for how long. Begin the ask - He will provide the details. Your family misses you. Come for a visit. ;)