Persons of Peace & Relationship Building

8 months here in Bangkok so far. We've been really working hard to figure out how God is going to use us here, and in our minds, we thought we would be much further along by now. We're being taught patience. Our goal as a team is to build relationships that are kingdom building- finding persons of peace, whether that is with non-believers or with other local Christians, it is what we have been focusing on to build up the church. Until now, we have made a few friends, but many people in this mega-city are spread out around it, which makes it difficult to get together for any kind of social event or even a dinner. Not only are they spread out, but the schedules- Thai people seem to be free on one day of the week- Sunday. Many work 6 days, starting with an early morning commute, an 8 hour day and another 1-3 hour commute back home which brings them home around 7-8 PM every night. To tell the truth, I haven't been able to see many positives in trying to connect with anyone. And then, there's the language barrier. Since we don't know enough Thai, our search for relationships is narrowed to English speakers.

When I finish teaching my classes at the BSC, I go home via the SkyTrain (BTS). While I am fine with teaching, much of my energy is spent and I am ready to be home when I'm done, so I don't engage many people in conversation during this commute. People who commute on the SkyTrain also are not very communicative, putting on headphones and dis-engaging from everyone around them. Sometimes, my students travel the same direction as I do on the SkyTrain and I wind up talking to them during my entire ride. Needless to say, that drains me even more, but I have to think how I can show them Christ even when I am tired. One of my students, Mee and his wife Palm rode the SkyTrain with me this past Thursday, and we talked some. He then was ready to exit to go get his car which was parked in a parking garage nearby, and he asked if he could take me to my house. I rarely turn down a ride, and since he lives in our area, it was not inconvenient for them to do so. We had a good conversation on the way home. I asked if there were any really good Thai restaurants in our area, and I told him that we should get together and have dinner at one of those places together so they could show us how to order food in Thai, as well as what to order. He also asked if I was Catholic, and I said I am protestant, or Baptist. He said that he had no idea of either. Perhaps one day he'll have more questions. Pray for this relationship, that God directs me to build it to share His love with this couple.

Today, my daughter and I started out to the place that our team does ministry at a community center in a poor neighborhood every Saturday. We usually take 2 different buses, then motorcycle taxis as well as plenty of walking to get there- it's about an hour trip. One of our neighbors, Joe, whom we had not met yet, drove up and asked if he could give us a lift to the bus stop. Once he asked where we were going, he said that he was going that way also and he would take us the whole way there. As we were talking, he asked what I did for a living. I said that I taught English and the Bible at the Baptist Student Center, and he said, "You're Baptist? A Christian? I'm also a Christian!" Right in our neighborhood. He attends a church on the other side of town, far away from where he lives, but he doesn't know of any closer churches since he moved to this area, so he just keeps going. I asked if he was part of a small group, and he said yes, but he also has to travel far to attend it. I told him that I would like to start a small group in our town-home complex, and that perhaps we could do it together.

Praise God we have been put right in the place that God wants us to be. I pray that he continues to use us for His glory, and not our comfort. Pray for the relationships with Mee, his wife Palm and Joe, that we can build on them in order to build His kingdom. Also, pray for God to bring us more persons of peace.

Spiritual Conversation

During one of my English classes this week, I was sitting with one student. His name is Wut (pronounced Woot). He was the only one of 6 my students who had showed up in the marriage class that I volunteered to teach at the Baptist Student Center (BSC). Instead of canceling and going home early, he wanted to talk. This is encouraging because we always tell our Thai students that they need practice by speaking to native English speakers. I was surprised how quickly the conversation turned spiritual.

Wut asked many questions about why I believe in Jesus, and why I follow him, pray, read the Bible, things about heaven and hell. I want so much to be able to give him the correct answers, but I cannot. I sat back and let the Holy Spirit guide my speech to help Wut understand the answers I gave.

Wut is a Buddhist, but has been hearing much talk about God, Jesus, the Bible, church, etc. recently. I can see the turmoil within his soul as I communicate answers to his questions. I asked Wut, "What happens when we die?" He gave me the same answer most Buddhists will give, that you come back as a new person and live and die and come back again. I told him that in the Bible, it says that man is destined to die once, and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27) and that even our secret sins will be judged by God (Romans 2:16). I asked him if he understood God's judgment, to which he said "that is when God sends you to heaven or hell.", as he pointed up and down.

He then asked some questions that many people ask:

"If I realize, when I am sent to hell, that I have made a mistake, can I change my mind?" Tough question. God's final judgment on us is just and eternal. Once we face it, it is too late at that point. While we are on earth is the time to make that choice to follow God, and accept that Jesus the punishment we deserve. He took our place one time for all.

"Can I be good my whole life, but not accept Jesus and still go to heaven?" The Bible says that no one is good. We don't do good even if we want to, because we don't know how. God and the Bible tell us how to be good, and that without Christ and the acceptance of his sacrifice for our sins, we will not be allowed in heaven.

"If I stay in sin all my life, then when I am old I decide to turn to God and follow Jesus, can I still go to heaven?" Of course, as long as you have accepted that Jesus took your punishment, and your heart has believed that fact, you can. But caution: how can a person know he is going to last until old age? What happens if you decide to wait, and you die before you make your final decision? Judgment comes too soon, and you will suffer for it.

"Is it hard to follow all that is in the Bible?" Yes, and my nature is to not want to follow it because it is hard. But I trust and have faith that it teaches me to live right, and even though I try to do all it says, I sometimes do not. However, God still loves me, no matter what, even when I fail.

"Do you pray all the time?" As much as I need to. The more I pray and talk with God, the more I can understand what He wants me to do, and how I can answer questions about Him. And, I can pray wherever and whenever I want. I don't need to be in a church or any other building in order to pray. "Do you have to get on your knees to pray?" I can, because it is a posture of humbleness and respect to God. But more than physical humbleness, God wants us to come to Him with a humble heart. Bow your heart to God, not just your body.

There were so many questions Wut had, and every one was answered by the Holy Spirit. I pray that God's Spirit is speaking to Wut right now, and that he is thinking much about all these answers he has received. He is open, and curious. I hope he has more questions, and that all of us who are sharing Christ with him can help him understand the need he has for his Savior.

Wut says that he had been given a Thai & English Bible, so I gave him some passages to read on his own, in his own language so he could understand. I gave him the Romans Road passages, in answer to his questions about being good enough without Christ to be accepted by God. Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13 and 10:9, as well as the passages on God's judgment, Romans 2:16 and Hebrews 9:27.

I want very much to have Wut join the Kingdom of the Living, True God. If he comes to know Christ and follow him, it won't be because of what I have done, but what the Spirit does through me. My only job is to be faithful, obedient and ready to give an answer to those who ask about what I believe and who I follow. Pray for Wut, as well as the people of Thailand that they can see Jesus through us.

Should We Stay, or Should We Go?

For the past month, Bangkok, Thailand has been on high alert due to flood waters flowing to the gulf of Thailand from the north. For the last 3 months, torrential rains have caused the flooding to be catastrophic to people in outlying areas of the Capitol city of the country. With the main channels for that water running all through the main parts of the city, people have been warned about flood waters for a month straight. Food stocks are low, as people have been buying as much dry goods and drinking water as possible to stock up in case they get trapped in their homes or if stores close their doors due to flood waters or lack of distribution. Sand bags line the streets, as well as business fronts and residential homes, some as high as 6 feet! Many businesses are building 3 foot high temporary concrete walls in front of their buildings to keep water from damaging their assets. Many people have fled for sure dry ground outside the city in hopes of avoiding the flood waters and the problems they could face. Over 400 deaths have occurred from the floods: drowning, electrocution, sickness from contaminated water and other issues are the cause. The story is grim. Millions are out of their homes because they are half way or full of water to the roof. There is nowhere for the water to go but to escape to the ocean through the capitol city.

That is where we live.

We have been asked the question by our local Thai friends and acquaintances: "Will you leave Thailand to go to the U.S. to be safe from the flood?" I look at them and say "Why? Thailand is my home now. I will face the danger with my Thai neighbors and friends. I want to be able to help where I am needed." Jesus was asked, "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?" He said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The Great Commandment speech can be found in Matt 22, Mark 12 and Luke 10. In Luke chapter 10, someone asks Jesus "Who is my neighbor?" We have been sent by God to Thailand to glorify Jesus in everything we do. How can we do that if we run away at the first sign of danger? How can we show that we are Jesus' disciples if we pick up and leave at the first sign of trouble? How are we being a neighbor to the Thai people if we only hang around while things are good? I do not fault anyone for leaving during troubled times. In many instances in the Bible, God called people away from troubled areas when needed. If we were to hear directly that we need to evacuate, we would. We will be wise and not foolish in our decision. Until then, we will stay and face the danger with our neighbors in Bangkok. I hope to be able to help the flood victims with whatever they need. I hope that if I become a flood victim, that my Thai neighbors will be willing to help me and my family. That is being a true neighbor.

We as followers of Christ need to show that we are not all talk. When I explained to one of my English students, who was worried about us getting caught in the flood, why I am staying, they said "Thank you." It was a very heartfelt thank you. That someone would actually stay and face the danger, help where needed, and be a true neighbor. I don't have all the answers, but I do know that we were called here to reflect Christ, and shine His light in the darkness. One Thai Christian leader said, "If all the Christians leave, who will be left to show God's love to the people who need it, especially in this time?"

We'll stay. We'll be neighbors. We'll show who we are, rather than talk about who we are. I follow Jesus. He stays with me no matter what, so I stay where he wants me, until he tells me to leave, no matter what.

Back in the Blog World

April was my last blog entry. I have really been terrible about keeping this updated. Much has happened and is happening here in Bangkok. It's really time for me to do more updates about our time here as a family and a team as we try to glorify and grow God's Kingdom. We want to glorify Jesus here as well as online. Are you with me? More frequent updates coming! Thanks for following!