Happy Thanksgiving!

It is certainly a different Thanksgiving for us...

the neighbor's turkeys are gobbling when they should be roasting, we will be wearing short sleeves and sandals to the Thanksgiving table, everyone around us is going on with daily life.

The only thing familiar is the smell of pumpkin pie in the oven.

What am I thankful for on this Thanksgiving day?

• God's faithfulness - tears come just now to my eyes as I reflect on how God has brought us through this year. How often I fail. I get upset, I get lonely, I get tired of cultural changes. But there is a beautiful golden thread running through this crazy quilt of mine, and that is God's faithfulness. I am finding more power and grace than I ever dreamed. Not because of my performance, but because I can't perform.
• Family - our two sets of parents who partner with us through their love, support, prayers and good advice. A husband who loves me and cares about my heart. Our children who are growing, learning, exploring life.
• Luke & Anna Deaton are here just now - what a blessing to share this special day with them. We are making good memories, laughing and talking together. Its so fun to share with them what makes up our daily life.
• I am thankful for this "broadening of my horizons", this stretching of my comfort zone. Diversity is not a curse, its a blessing.
• Tonight we are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner at IGo. I will just be honest, I am thankful for a yummy traditional dinner that only required pumpkin pies from me! IGo is such a blessing in our lives just now. We enjoy going there for church and also getting to know our brothers and sisters there.

God's blessings to you, dear friends. May your eyes be lifted up above the turkey and trimmings to Jesus, the only One who fully satisfies.

learning swoop de doos and curlicues

Well, its been too long since I have wrote on our blog! Now on a quiet hot Sunday afternoon, I have some time to catch you up a bit on what I've been doing.
My days fill up fast with laundry, washing dishes, home school, fixing meals, and taking care of the children. I do have a helper who comes two days a week, and she cleans and does other things for me.
One thing I have recently added to my plate, is Thai language learning. It is so difficult, and for every "rule" I learn, it seems there is five exceptions! Often I feel very tired and my brain fried after my hour long class. However, I just started learning the Thai script, and it is exciting to see a bunch of swoop de doos and curlicues turned into real sounds and words in my mind. I praise God, because I dreaded language learning. I felt defeated before I even started, and Martin & I prayed often about it. I am slowly learning how much my Father cares about me!
D. is also learning Thai, and we are excited to see how well she's doing. Our teacher, Ang, comes during the boys' nap time, so it usually works well. Ang is a Christian, and I have been so blessed by her. She gives God all the glory for her ability to teach and thanks Him for the little things, like a cup of water not spilling over our school work. We have so much to learn from these first generation Christians!

Children's Ministry

We just experienced another children's ministry night. It was such a blessing! Our friend Ang, came again this friday night and played with children, then taught them a couple of Christian songs. This time the boys were less interested, but the girls were very involved, and seemed to enjoy it very much. Just before it was time to go home, she had them all stand in a circle and join hands. Then said a prayer. She had them shut their eyes. She taught them that they need to talk to God just like a normal conversation, and to ask that God would listen in Jesus' Name. She taught them that they need to believe what they are saying or asking to God. she taught them to say "amen" when they were finished. I don't think any of them have ever prayed before. I am so exited about this opportunity. I also feel burdened about it. They are hearing these Truths for the first time in their life. We are praying that God would provide someone ( a thai christian) to come and help us in this ministry. We are also praying that God would not only continue working in these children's lives, that they might be saved, but also in their parent's lives as well.
One little boy named June (age 10) opposed the work almost all evening. He kept calling the other boys especially his younger friend to not join in the singing, and especially the prayer. We are praying for him. He comes from a very hurtful home. Would you like to join us in praying for these dear children?

Two Roosters and a Grandma

The other morning Rachel and I were enjoying our quiet time when all of a sudden a couple of roosters flew over our fence and began exploring our yard. To us it was no big deal. It is pretty common for chickens to come over for a while to scratch around for something good. They usually leave after a while. Well, this morning was different. The grandma living directly behind us poked her head over the fence and made gestures like she wanted us to catch the roosters and give them back. Our dog was tied up, so we weren't too worried about it. Rachel didn't quite understand them. So she just smiled, then went back to putting breakfast on the table. Then another grandma showed up, and did the same thing. They were very nice about it, but felt quite sure that the roosters were in danger or something. Maybe they thought we were in danger. Maybe they thought...well, we're not sure what all they were thinking. Except that it became obvious that they wanted them back. So, with breakfast on the table...we began our chase. These roosters are big! They have long legs and run not a little like a small ostrich. Picture if you will, Rachel and I trying to corner these big guys, then pounce on them, not loosing a feather. All the while both grandmas are watching. One is wringing her hands and the other is clapping and cheering us on. Finally, the bantams ran under some bushes and I was able to slide an arm under and grab for a drumstick. Squawk!!! Success! One down. One to go. Around the house, up on the porch, over by the dog... back up... dart this way, that way. Finally, it tried to squeeze into our garden. Squawk!!! Mission Accomplished. Grandma 1 thanked us and bowed very honorably. Grandma 2 smiled and basically thanked us for the entertainment. We sat down to breakfast. Such is cross-cultural ministry. Our days are full of experiences like this. We never know if we are doing it quite right. We just pray that as we interact with our neighbors that we will learn their culture, and obey the promptings of God's Spirit. God is at work here, and we are always looking for ways to join Him. Even if it means catching a phantom bantam. martin.

genuine love

Yesterday I was treated to a "foot treatment" by my 5 year old daughter. She went all out with a cool wet rag first, then 2-3 different ointments which she tenderly rubbed in to my feet. She looked up at me and said, "I have been wanting to do this for a long time Papa. Do you know why I want to do this Papa?" "Why?" I said

"Because I love you so much, Papa." A hot tear began to roll down my cheek as I thought about her unconditional, unfeigned love for me, and compared that with my love for Jesus. Do I love Him that much. Do I love Him in word only, or am I constantly begging Him to let me "massage His feet" so that I can express my love to Him. I confess that as I searched my heart, I found I was coming up short of that kind of love. It made me weep inside, all the while she kept lovingly soothing my feet. It humbled me that she took the lowest part of my being, my feet, and confidently took them into her hands to cheerfully show me how much she loved me. How dirty am I willing to get to show my Lord and Saviour how much I love Him? Somehow it made me feel like I was the child, and she was the adult ministering love and grace to me. How is this possible? Father, I pray that You will inspire me, and fill my heart with more love to Thee. I have come up so short, and I pray that no earthly affection would ever steal the love I owe to Thee. Thank you for saving me. Now, enable me to love Thee and Serve Thee in any place, condition or circumstance. Your Son, Martin.