Mission Trip To Petchaboon, Thailand

This trip showed me a village of people who were so eager to hear the Word of God. Those of you who receive my Prayer Letter heard how the village of 300 people were so eager to have their church opened, that in a matter of 30 minutes of going around the village, over 100 of the 300 people came to the event. We had a Christmas Service for them that evening. We also sang some Christmas songs and some goofy songs with the people. The Joy that filled the over packed small church sent off an energetic feeling. Mary gave her testimony. And I sat in awe as I watched the excitement a small child had over receiving gifts of laundry soap and dish washing detergent. In America, you would probably see a child throw a fit over receiving this kind of a gift. These children had beaming faces. It was so rewarding! Now, my prayer for this village, for this church, is that God will lead someone to re-open that church, for there to be a consistent pastor, Sunday school, and the Compassion program re-opened for the children. It also showed me how there are places in the world that have heard about God and have accepted Jesus as the One True God and do not have a pastor/mentors helping them understand the Bible...In eagerness and in joy they soak in everything that they can get and they continue to have a strong steadfast love for God. You can see it in their eyes! In America we are blessed with many churches. Many different Bible Studies. In fact, we are spoiled because we find ourselves complaining about the way a church worships in song (Organ, Jazz style, loud, contemporary, hymns,etc.),or the way the pastor presents his message of Biblical Truth, or the size of the church congregation, or the type of Sunday school they have for our children. At this village, these minor details are not an option. In this village, there is just a pure joy in worshipping together and hearing biblical truth from whomever will teach them.

The following day we were able to go to a school with a program for the students. It was a public school that God had to of softened the teacher's heart to let us come and do a Christmas program (a Christian Program in the Predominant Buddhist Community). When we first got there the students sat in five lines (very still) as they patiently waited for us to set up. Sarah and I led a few relay games of fun. Then Tawng taught them a song about Jesus being the hero of their heart and life; a bigger hero than Superman or Spider man. Who is the the true Hero of your Heart? (Note: I posted a video clip of this song that Tawng is leading to the bottom of this post). Then We sang some Christmas Songs together. Tim got up and shared with them about the gift of Jesus (our Hero)being the best gift of all. Interestingly, when Tim asked them what Christmas was, one of the students (In Thai) told Him that it is the way the foreigners celebrate the New Year. After Tim's explanation of Christmas and the true gift of Jesus being born that day, I know that seeds of truth were planted in the children's and their teacher's hearts. They were so precious. We were also able to bring them gifts. We gave them small toys, laundry soaps, dish washing detergent, and many pamphlets about God/Jesus. It was a special time and a blessing to be apart of!!

Christmas Ministry EVENTS

Wow! God is amazing! One after the other we had a Christmas Party for each of the ministries that we work with. We had a Party in Mahatthai 3 Wednesday evening. Then the following evening we went Caroling around the neighborhood (I have learned Joy to the World and we Wish you a Merry Christmas in Thai by Heart!!). Friday Evening we had a Campus/English Classes Christmas Party. The next morning after that we had a party for the Children in our English Classes. Then it was Sunday where we had a Christmas Service and Christmas party with the church family. (The next morning we left early for our Missions Trip). So, yes we were busy. But, since God has worked with me on my attitude and my stress levels...I was able to sit back and watch His hand in each of the events!

At Mahatthai, We decorated outside of the "Sala" (this building that we do the ministry with the children and where I will be teaching English beginning in January). The Children all came and the adults did too! P'Chai spoke the gospel and shared with them the importance of Christmas and Jesus coming into the world as a baby. We gave out gifts (like laundry soap and dish washing soap, and stuff animals and toys for the children). Some of the children had learned a couple choreographed dances to some songs. Another group of some of the Mahatthai people played out a skit around the true meaning of Christmas. And we sang Christmas songs together. It was a blast! It was especially exciting because many of the Children in the neighborhood hear about Jesus and we pick them up for church and they believe in Him as their Lord and Savior...but, their parents do not. However, whether the parents came for the gifts or to watch their children do their dance that they were so excited to perform...some seeds were planted with the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of knowing and following after the one true God! Today,we can pray for these seeds to begin to deepen and sprout in their hearts.

The following day, we went Caroling around Ram Song (which is where we live). We caroled through the markets and down the streets of the shops. It was loads of fun! P'Pat would even yell to get every one's attention in the market...which was awesome! (and surprising since the culture is a very quiet and reserved culture in public). We were able to hand out fliers of our Church while Caroling and on Sunday we were able to see the fruit of it as a handful of new faces came to church on Sunday. Now, we can pray that they keep hearing the Lord's Call and continue to want to know more about God; choosing to follow Him themselves.

On Friday, we had the Campus/Adult English Class Christmas Party. P'Yu made Thai food for dinner and Mary and I each brought a dessert. We socialized,making everyone feel welcome. Then we ate dinner together. After that we sang a few Christmas songs together. Then Sarah and I got up and lead a game. We played something like gestures. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. Then we had everyone watch a Billy Graham video called the Living Hope. After that, some YWAM men got up and did some Hip Hop Break Dancing...which was incredible. I have never seen someone be able to be so flexible with their entire body and break dance that well (maybe that is because I live in White Ville Colorado =)). After this time it was time for our Lifehouse Everything Drama and our role play of Jesus' birth. Both came out perfectly. I love giving everything to God...letting go of the reigns...because these acts could not have turned out so perfectly without God's very breath in the midst of each move. During the drama, those role playing the parts...looked as if they were truly feeling the emotion of what was being role played. When I looked at the audience in the end of the performance, people looked as if they had been shaken...struck with the reality of a life without Jesus and protection and love that Jesus gives us as our Savior. God was moving! Praise Him for being in Charge, In Control, and All Powerful! Praise Him for Taking the stress off of me and allowing me and my teammates to be used by Him to bring others to their knees for Him. Praise the Lord for the few that I know for sure, are truly wanting to know more about our True God...wanting to have the peace that He gives us...The Hope that He gives us. Please Pray with me as I pray that God continues to soften their hearts and their interest becomes a deep desire and determination to Live for Jesus too!

For the Children's English Classes Christmas Party we had fun snacks and goodies to keep it rolling. They played a few games, and sang some Christmas Songs. We role played our story of Jesus' birth again. Then P'Pawn asked them questions about the lesson and handed out candy for the right answers! They were so cute. What is wonderful about looking into the hearts of these children is their innocence and pure faith in the truth of what they are learning shines right through their joyful smiles and their bright eyes. Let's pray that those around these children, their parents, their neighbors, etc. will see this light in the children and desire it too; resulting in having Faith Like A Child themselves. That they may also have this peace and contentment!

Sunday was wonderful too! When I arrived at church everyone was dressed up for Christmas. After church we had a church Christmas party where we exchanged gifts and sung Christmas Songs. Then as a team we went over to the head Pastor's house, Natee and had a going away party for P'Ying. She will be so deeply missed here. Thank you for your prayers in her being able to get over to New York to be a nanny. She was accepted and will be flying over there at the beginning of January. Pray for her anxieties of the new culture, for her host family, and for her to feel that connection with her new church family at Redeemer. P'Ying is a wonderful leader, and she will do well there. I am excited to hear what happens in the next chapter of her life!

So, as I wrap up this blog. I just want to praise God for going before every detail and being that Prince of Peace. After that revelation you read in the last blog. God showed me to trust Him and He will use us to Glorify Him. Well, He has!!! Seeds have been planted. We have been used in these opportunities to reach the hearts of the loved ones surrounding the people already involved in our ministries. Each event...that naturally I would have continued to be a basket case of stress over...worked out perfectly. It was joyful and exciting to watch God move in the preparations, the events themselves, and the hearts of those who attended!

I feel Blessed! I hope after reading this post, you feel encouraged in your ministries to give God the reigns, open yourself to be used by Him, and watch in awe as He with perfection takes over each moment.

Lord, I am in Awe of You!

Character Building during the mix of Plan Changes

This past week, for the first time since being in Bangkok, I felt stressed. We have two Christmas Events (tonight and tomorrow) where I am to put together a couple different skits. So, throughout the week I writing out the skits; the Christmas Story and the Lifehouse-Everything drama to music. I was also working on getting others lined up to practice last Saturday....

Well, my plans were not God's plans last Saturday. On Saturday, my itunes would not work and I needed to get the song-Everything off of my computer and onto a CD for the rehearsal. I kept praying,"Lord I know that you want us to do this skit and I know that you can make these itunes work." So throughout the day, in Faith, I kept pushing the itunes icon on my computer...only for nothing to happen. At the time that we were supposed to start rehearsing, a couple of my teammates came up to me and said, lets practice tomorrow. Well, feeling the pressure of making sure the skits were well done, I was frustrated. And unfortunately, it showed in my facial expression and the tone of my voice when I responded. I felt defeated and now this on top of the itunes issue. What does God want from me?!

Saturday evening, there was a neat dinner up on top of the roof of the church. A dinner that would not have been worth missing. A dinner that I wish I knew about before. So, at this point I am feeling mixed emotions about the change of plans... Frustrated... yes... but, noticing this was a special activity.

So, they asked me to hand out the parts. The people that were originally going to do it, backed out. The people that I thought would be the best at the parts, were no longer available for Sunday.

When Sunday morning came, I was handed a CD with the song for our drama, "Everything", on it. We began practice at 1:00pm and finished at 6:30pm. The people in the skits are completely different than the one's I would have chosen and yet by 6:30pm, I saw how God pulled through.

When Monday morning rolled around. I felt convicted over my attitude towards my teammates on Saturday. I felt bad for being upset with God for not making things go the way I planned on Saturday. Upon getting to the office I was convicted-through a couple of your e-mails...Realizing it is not about me-but God. (Krystle take away the Pride).

I must listen more than talk...Talk about conviction! For God is the Prince of Peace (I was not filled with Peace on Saturday). My joy was gone and I was aggravated with the relaxed way of the Thai culture-clashing with my perfectionist attitude of a performance.

Another stated this and it felt like He was talking from my heart. So I quote, "I’m learning to let go of my life agenda, recognizing that certain things are out of my control, but also knowing that the Lord has always had a plan and purpose for those things. (There is freedom in trusting God) And that’s a good thing – because He holds the future. It’s actually quite an adventure."

You see these skits are not my skits. They are God's skits. He knew from the beginning who He wanted in the skits. In a way outside of my box of thinking, He provided the song for the drama. These skits are not a performance score for me. They are an opportunity to by used by God to share the gospel; ultimately glorifying Him.

Now is the time to Sing, "It Is Well With My Soul" and trust God with each day.

As Christmas is nearing. We are making Satan uneasy. He doesn't want us to have Joy. He doesn't want us to share the TRUE meaning of Christmas. He will do everything He can to darken our hearts and discourage us. Don't let Him! I have humbly asked forgiveness from God and the two teammates that I had a negative attitude with on Saturday. I will not let my heart be discouraged by Satan. Check your hearts and hold stead fast to God and He will lead you in the opportunities that He has for you during this Christmas Season. Opportunities that you would definitely not want to miss out on!


“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Please Pray for tonight and tomorrow's Christmas events. Pray that the skits Go as God has planned, and He softens the hearts of those there that they may be open to the truth that will be told!

Thanks!
Krystle

Our Women's Christmas Party

Thursday evening we had our church's Women's Christmas Party. Mary had everyone to her house for the party. Each of us brought a dish to share for dinner and a white elephant gift with the value of 100 baht. I noticed that when people got up for seconds on their servings of food...the Thai women went for another helping of the healthy main dishes while the American women went for the chocolate bars and sugar cookies (Yes I am guilty). The sugar cookies were an exciting highlight of the evening as sweets are not highly accessible around Bangkok. We socialized and then sang Christmas Songs together. I attached a video clip to this blog of the group singing Joy to the World in their natural language-Thai. You will also notice a picture of Ying with her guitar. She led us in song. Praise God(Shared as a prayer request in a previous blog)-Her interview at the Embassy went well (Thank you for your prayers) and she will be leaving for New York to take her nanny position. Please pray for her as she is nervous about the upcoming culture shock.

After we sang Christmas songs we played a few games. There is a picture of one of the games. We had two teams-Each behind the blue flooring. Each teams had to have someone put one of their teammates up to their side of the blue flooring. Then when they dropped it...the two players had to "race with words" in saying the person's name (on the opposite team) first. It was an adrenaline rush!!

Jan gave the Christmas Story; emphasizing the Gift of God's Son. I didn't understand most of it because it was in Thai...so good thing I already know this amazing Truth!!

As a group we played the white elephant game. My roommate told me to get dishes for the house. She said to bring these because the women of our church always love getting things for their kitchen. So, I found a glass pitcher and glasses (It was pretty)...My roommate ended up with it...I don't think she likes it--OOPS! Good thing she doesn't know it was my gift...shhhh! (I received a beautiful blue and white scarf...Fun, Fun, Fun!)

So, here I have been worried about my feelings on Christmas. This is my first Christmas away from my family. But, God is showing me the fun in enjoying Christmas with my Thai friends. It is a wonderful feeling of love, while bustling in excitement. This was our first Christmas Activity. We have three more Christmas parties for the different ministries and a missions trip to go on (Northern Thailand)before Christmas. I am excited to see what God reveals about Himself throughout this next week.

God-You have shown me that although, I am missing sharing this with my family back home...The celebration is over the moment when you sent your son, Jesus, into the world. In the form of an infant, He grew up amongst sinners. He was surrounded by evil, and 33yrs later paid the ultimate sacrifice (On the cross)-so that I can go to heaven with you one day. Jesus, your birth into the world is the perfect reason to celebrate-Help me keep my emotions out of the picture and my focus on you-celebrating YOU with those around me. I desire to shine your love and share this truth with the children, my peers, and my elders. Love you! Krystle

Perfectly Orchestrated Day!

Yesterday was the King of Thailand's birthday. The King's birthday is also considered Father's Day here. Everyone wears Pink and Yellow in celebration of this day (I have never seen so many men in Pink.... =) ). This day was quite unique with random things throughout the day. So, unique that I have to share it with you.

In the early morning I was dressed up in yellow for leader's meeting (BSF) in Downtown Bangkok (one hour from my home). We had a fellowship as leaders afterward, sharing what God is doing in our lives. I was able to share with them what I shared with you all in my December prayer letter. Then had a fun practicing my Thai with the Taxi Driver to quickly get back to my house....because this day was set aside to help environmentally clean up the Mahattahi area. So, when I arrived back at home, I quickly put on my "work clothes" (clothes that could get stained);a yellow t-shirt and gray boy shorts. Then I was off to Mahatthai to be a blessing to the residence of Mahatthai.

Let me paint a picture of this neighborhood for you. The houses are shacks of wood and tin. They are placed on stilts that have much dirty water below them. When walking in the neighborhood, you walk over, a broken bridge type look to get to different people's houses. When I say the water is dirty, I mean that it is like one just finished dying Easter eggs and then mixed all of the colors together ...creating the darkest black color ever imaginable. This water is so polluted with layers of trash in it too. So, as a team, we got trash bags, gloves, and rakes. Then we went between the houses, for five hours...only making a dent into taking out the trash from the highly polluted water. There is still much to be done in that area. I say, we need some short term teams in here helping out! =) (NOTE: I did not have my camera with me...but, I will update this blog with pics of what the water and neighborhood at Mahatthai 3 soon)

As a team we also provided lunch for the neighborhood. We played with the children and socialized with the people who joined us for lunch. Some of the children do not have father's anymore. This could be for a multiple of reasons such as death and leaving the family. So, one little girl, Nawng Faa, ran up to one of the Thai staff, P'Pat, and asked him if he would be her father. Of course he said yes. And now, in conversation, he refers to her as one of his daughters. That was so sweet and it also reminded me of how Jesus is our adopted father. How all we have to do is ask Him to be our Father and He says Yes. He is the greatest father one could ask for. A father who sacrificed Himself so that we could live eternally in Heaven with Him. A father who above all, is never changing, and He will never leave us or forsake us! Happy Father's day Jesus!! If you do not know Jesus as the father that I know Him as...A father that could never possibly disappoint you...please look into what it could mean if you too would accept the open arms of Jesus as your father.

After a hard days work, a shower, and worship practice (dressed in a pink shirt and capris), we went to King's park (a local park near my home)for an evening celebration. Then I watched how God orchestrated the details of the evening. Sitting down to eat, we sat by a family, who were very excited to see foreigners there. The children/teenagers attached themselves to myself and Sarah. We talked with them. And then the fireworks started going off. They were the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen. Some that stayed in spirals of the water, others like shooting water falls from the water, and still others bursting from the sky. I had front row seating! The neat part of the evening was seeing how, God brought me into this family's life. Before we left that evening together...Noiy (the teenage daughter) got my phone number and she really wants to hang out together soon. I have been praying that God show me the people that He would like me to specifically invest in. Is she one that God has in mind? Will you pray with me for clear direction with this part of my ministry?

Happy Father's Day From Thailand!