Jesus is Lord of all

This morning in church we sang this song, Jesus is Lord of all.

I sobbed as we sang, because the words reflect so well what has been on my heart lately.

All of my conflicts, all my thoughts-

Jesus is Lord of all.

I sure have had a lot of these this week, Lord! So many thoughts and conflicts in my heart.

His love wins the battles I could not have fought;

Jesus is Lord of all.

What words of hope are these! Your love and power wins these spiritual battles that I cannot fight. I often bear more resemblance to a limp dishrag than to Hudson Taylor.

All of my longings, all my dreams -

Jesus is Lord of all.

Longings for our children to have a "normal" childhood. Since I was young, I have dreamed of adopting children from another country. These things may never happen - but I know I can trust my Jesus through it all.

All of my failures, His power redeems;

Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my failures this week have been stamped REDEEMED. O thank You, Jesus, for giving me fresh starts and more opportunities.

All my possessions and all my life,

Jesus is Lord of all.

Suddenly I'm standing outside on a cold, windy day. Listening to the rise and fall of the auctioneer's voice, feeling a twisty something in my stomach and tears in my eyes. Looking at drills, desks, and dolls. Wedding gifts and wood working tools. Plates and pillows, beds, blankets and books all await their turn.

You just don't realize how much your stuff means to you, and even defines you, until its all going away. That day was so hard, Jesus. Its still hard to think about.

This week, I found myself again giving up. Yearning to see the twinkle in my dad's eye and feel his big hug. Longing for the laughter, the warmth of sharing with my sisters in Christ.

Is it worth it? I have pondered this question often lately.

I got my answer today. Jesus is worth it all! Rachel.

Fatherless

She’s only 6. I’m sure we’ve told you about her before. She has caused problems with the other children when they come to our house on Thursday nights, and often ends up crying or putting up a big fuss. She pouts if she doesn’t get her way. What is her deal? Well, she’s hurting. She’s fatherless. No, she’s not an orphan. She’s fatherless. She doesn’t have a Papa in her life, actively caring for her heart and her needs. She craves love and attention from her Papa, but ever since he left her home, and was replaced by another man, those needs aren’t getting met. Her name is Joop Jang.

God said in the Bible that He would be a Father to the Fatherless. That is a promise which He is purposing to fulfill, and we are delighted in hope that we might get to be a part of it.

The other day Thailand had an event called “Children’s Day”. Every year the whole country sets aside a day to bless their children. Near our village they brought in some big toys such a ferris wheel, carousel, train...etc. They let the children ride for free all day. We enjoyed being there, but what stood out to me the most, was how Joop Jang looked to me the same way the other children were looking to their parents. Her parents weren’t there. First, she brought me her water bottles to hold while she got on the carousel. At noon I asked her if she was hungry. She said, “yes”. So, I bought her a sausage. Then later in the day, she came up to me and said. “I’m thirsty”. So I bought her a drink. Then before each ride she would hand me her drink, and the rag that she was using to wipe the sweat from her face, so that I could hold them for her. As she was going around on the carousel, or the ferris wheel she would look at me and smile and wave real big. I smiled and waved back. At 2 PM, I decided it was time to take my daughter and head home. I asked Joop Jang if she had a ride home and she said yes. Then, when she realized that we were leaving she started to pout, and look all around. “Who am I going to be with in this crowd of people?” she thought. Remember, she’s only 6 years old. Then she saw another friend from our village and ran to be with her.

It didn’t sink in until later. I almost wept as I thought about what it was like when I was 5 years old and got lost at church. I was scared, and I was in the safest place possible. What must it be like for her? What must it be like to be 6 years old in a crowd of people without a Papa on “Children’s Day?” I don’t really know the answer to that question, but one thing I do know. I know what it’s like to be loved and cared for by my Heavenly Papa, and I hope by the Grace of God to show the same to her. Please pray for her and her family. Martin.

What do you do?

It was New Year's Eve. about 8:00pm. Showers were over, and we were sitting at the supper table in our p.j's finishing dessert. Someone began knocking on our back door. Our gate had been shut, the doors and windows to the house were shut...who could it be? It was a neighbor lady and two small children. She wanted to invite us to join them at their house to celebrate the new year. What do you do?

So, we got re-dressed and headed over there. We could here the loud music from our house, and we tried to warn our children as we were walking there, that it probably would be loud. As we walked into their compound, the first thing we noticed were four big stage speakers, a stereo mixing board, and an LCD monitor. The speakers were blasting forth a pulsating rhythm of dance music, and the LCD was displaying skimpily dressed music videos. What do you do?

They were arranging some benches for us to sit on, and getting ready to fix some food. They had a big barbeque going, a griddle with shrimp and pork, and a pot of soup. It was quite a feast. She told us that since new years only comes once per year, they would eat seafood. They had invited us to come and share with them, their best. What do you do?

They motioned for us to take a seat on the benches that they had moved over for us. So we did. No sooner had I sat down, another neighbor who had long drunk past his alcohol limit, began offering me some whiskey. I declined. A little while later he offered it to me again. I declined. So, he came around the makeshift table and very loudly and belligerently offered to pour me some red cream soda. Then he wanted to toast the new year. What do you do?

The Barbecued pork was some of the best we have ever had. The grilled pork fat, and a few other items weren't that great. Our children enjoyed the endless supply of Fanta pop. Once their glass was empty of red pop, somehow it was instantly refilled with the green pop. Noise, Lewd Videos, Drunkenness, Food, Sugar, Late at night...what do you do?

Well, we were overwhelmed with gratitude. We have lived in this village for 7 months and that is the first invitation that we have received to come and eat with them at their table. It felt good that they considered us a part of their village enough to invite us to their house. There was no way we could choose to be unsocial.

That is the reason we came here. We came to live among these people. To build relationships with these people. We didn't come to partake of their evil ways, but we did come to sit with them and lead them to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Pray for us as we daily encounter situations that stretch us way beyond our familiar box. We truly do want to give our Utmost For Christ. Martin

Christmas Activities Have Begun

Wow! Life is busy right now. But we wouldn't have it any other way. We just returned from a Christmas party at the IGo English Center. It was quite a time. 7 Children and one dad from our village went with us. We played games. Decorated cookies. Did a little skit to portray what the true meaning of Christmas is. Gave gifts to all who came. Ate snacks. It was a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with people, and show them the love of Jesus.

Jordan Flory giving gifts to children

Ben and his dad

Jean and Neuy enjoying hot chocolate

Plang, Jan, and Som coloring pictures

Yesterday was a Christmas party at my thai school. It was fun. It is good to get to know other students and find out why they are in Thailand. Also, good to be with the teachers in a less formal setting.

CLS Students bobbing for apples

This year Christmas time is quite different for us. We are homesick at times, missing all of our family and friends, and thinking about all the fun activities they are doing. But at the same time, we are in the midst of a million people who have no idea what Christmas is. There are so many opportunities to use this time for building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. So, pray for us as we experience all of these various emotions.

Affordable Healthcare

I just returned from taking Titus to the hospital. He has had a bad cold/cough which worked up into his nose, and now, down into his ear. So, we decided to take him to see a doctor, especially since I will be leaving for Bangkok tomorrow night. The doctor decided to give him an antibiotic, some ibuprofen, and a decongestant. All that plus the cost of the doctor's visit cost $2.58.

Some things in Thailand are very expensive, but apparently a doctor's visit is not. For which we are Very Thankful! martin.

Long Live the King

There has been a week long celebration of HRH the king's birthday (Dec 5).

The whole country goes into celebration mode. He is 82 years old, and one of the world's longest reigning monarchs. The Thai people revere him as god, and the respect for his royalty is seen and felt throughout the whole country. Negative criticism of this monarchy is never heard on the streets, and any one who publishes anything negative, is put in prison. Even though Thailand is in the rift of political polarism, all parties have the same level of respect for their king. It is a beautiful thing, and I think all countries and kingdoms of this world would do well to take a close look at their respect and loyalty. Customarily he makes a speech on the eve before his birthday, but this year he was not able to because of hospitalization. Please pray for him.

Jordan and I went to a huge celebration here in Chiang Mai, at http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2009/nov/4589.asp There were perhaps over 10,000 people there to raise a candle to the king, and to watch the fireworks display. I don't think I have ever seen a fireworks display quite like this one. It was phenomenal. Also, I don't think I have seen that many people in one place singing a song of tribute to a person and raising a candle to show there reverence. It was an amazing, and burdening sight.

Below you will see some pictures of the Royal Pavilion built in honor of the king. Inside are many murals of the king and the good things he has done over the years for his people.

Just remember, this is one location in Chiang Mai, which is one city in all of thailand. Every where in every city, this praise and worship is taking place right now. martin.

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.