Encouragements

Each week, i meet up with Denise and John for a team meeting to share about how we're going, things that have happened in the past week (or longer) so we can pray about them, keep each other accountable, then we listen to talk (currently listening to a series from Ezekiel from the SMBC Principles Hour). As we met to chat last week, all of us were just really excited about so many of the things that are happening over here and the ways that we're seeing so many of our Thai friends so eager, keen and excited to be learning from the Bible and to be teaching it to others. It's been a long time in coming in many ways for Denise and John, and for me, i just think, i've come just at the right time to be able to witness all these exciting things happen, and for what i can do, be a part of it as well. I know for John & Denise, they're feeling really overwhelmed by so many opportunities that are popping up, and that they just don't have the resources (ie manpower) available to do everything that they would like to do.

This has also been a frustration for me as language is still my major limitation in being able to be a part of it all. But at the same time, i'm really amazed in the ways that God can still use you despite lack of language, and how many of the church people have been so encouraging and wanting me to be a part of so many things, despite the lack of language. A couple weeks ago, i was able to do another 'sharing' session with the music team at church. Last time (back in Jan) i had to have a translator, but this time, i thought i'd give it a shot without and limit myself to sharing what i could in Thai. VERY limiting, i know, but i was actually amazed as to how much i was actually able to communicate. I used a film from Ignite (A Great Light), then we looked up a few bible verses about what it means for us as Christians to be 'light' to this world, what it means to hold out the Word of Light and what our responsibilities as christians should be in holding out this light to the world. Then i sang them a song which they all wanted to learn at the end. they even had a go at trying to translate it too, so they could sing along.

Then just last week, there were a few other opportunities to catch up with some friends i hadn't seen for a while. In doing so, we ended up watching a selection of films from ignite, and it was really fun watching with them and then explaining to them afterwards what the film meant, various truths it might have been trying to bring out, or challenges for us as christians in the ways that we live our lives. i was seriously really surprised how much i was able to explain. then just other random opportunities to read the bible with friends to help them understand passages from Ephesians much better. It really was really exciting for me to realise that my language has actually come a lot further then i thought it had in the past few months (i hadn't felt like i've 'hit' that next level for a while).

Then a couple weeks ago, to my surprise, the music team kinda 'voted' me onto the 'team that helps organise the sharing sessions' for the weekly music team meetings. It really is an interesting way that they get people onto the various 'committee's around here but hey, that's just the way things are done around here, so i've gotta get used to it. But still, i have no idea why enough people voted for me to get me onto this group. Pretty amusing, but pretty scary at the same time. Anyway, we've already had a couple meetings which were 'interesting' but a good learning experience. Hopefully as i start to understand a LOT more of what's going on, i'll be a bit more helpful to them :) haha

anyway, seems like lots is still going on over here with lots of opportunities to be serve. Please keep on praying for all those we're ministering too, training up, working with over here. Also give thanks for another family - Ken & Kristy Davies who will be coming to join our team in a couple weeks!!! We're really excited to have more people come to be help us! :) Pray for them to be able to settle in well and that God will be blessing their ministries here too.