Headaches For All

Three of my classes had their Ten Week Exams two past week (We give tests every ten weeks to make sure everyone is understanding). I prepared the tests prior to the exams. On each of the test days, I watched the students concentrate extremely hard on their exams. I did not think that the tests were very hard when preparing them. However, the students looked as if they were "racking their brains" during the exam. I felt bad as I thought, "Have I become that teacher who gives impossible exams?" As the students left the classroom, they were all talking "in Thai" about how the exam was VERY challenging (I don't think that they realize that I understand Thai better than I can speak it...lol).

For your amusement, my students call me "Principal" instead of "Teacher"...Do you think they are trying to tell me something? =)

This week I had to grade the exams that I created. It took me two hours to grade five exams! Now I had a headache!! I did not realize the time and energy that went into grading. So, all you teachers out there...I highly admire your endurance. Please give your self a pat on the back and take yourself out for your favorite treat!!

With all this said, my students were very excited when they all received A's and B's on their exams. Now the Question is, "Was this outcome worth all the headaches across the board?"

Scare of My Life!

Each Saturday Morning I get up around 5:00am and I leave the house by 5:30am to go and catch a bus to Bible Study Fellowship. This past Saturday at 5:20am I was all ready to go, except I needed to get a bowl of cereal for breakfast. So, I turned on the light and went into my kitchen. I opened the cabinet and took out a bowl and a spoon, turned around to walk out of the kitchen, and a HUGE Lizard hurriedly crossed the top of the kitchen wall into the hole in the corner. Now I am not kidding, this Lizard was approximately ONE Foot LONG and FIVE INCHES Thick! And when it went into the hole, its whole body moved in a creepy lizard way of body rolling!! Of course I screamed and then quickly ran out of the kitchen to eat my cereal. As I ate, I kept an eye on the door to make sure that the lizard did not come out of the hole...out of the kitchen...and towards me. Thank goodness He did not, I would have been MORE terrified (If that is possible).

To help me describe what this lizard thing looked like--some say it could be a Dookehh, I tried to find an image on the Internet. However, I could not find exactly what I saw. So I found three pictures that will help me visually explain.

The first shows you how the lizard was placed as it ran across the top of the wall into the corner hole.










The Second shows you how the body was movable-so it could do that creepy body rolling as it hurriedly went into the hole.












The third picture shows the bumps, color, and texture.




After I finished eating I stood up to go back into the kitchen (I had to wash my bowl and spoon). When I reached the door this loud sound, "OOHHHAA, OOHHHAA, OOHHAA..." came from the hole until I left the doorway. So, now I am SUPER Terrified. So, I rinsed my bowl and spoon in the bathroom nearby and left it on the table.

Later on Saturday I told Tang about my scary experience and she said (in all seriousness) that she would kill it for me and we can eat it tonight (YUCK!). Then Kieow entered the conversation and said that we cannot kill it because it eats the Cockroaches and I quote "That is good for our house."...I don't know, I think that having Cockroaches is better than this lizard type of thing.

When I got home Saturday evening, I would not step into the kitchen. And this fear of going into the kitchen lasted until Last Night. Now, I have not overcome this fear...Remember when I was preparing to come out here to Thailand, I shared with you that I was scared of the big bugs...well, this is a big reptile and I was scared...in fact I know that if I see it again, I would be even more scared.

I have to remember that David, in God's Word says, "I sought the LORD and He answered me; HE delivered me from all my fears."-Psalm 34:4. I pray this each day now, "Lord Help me over come this fear of this scary lizard. I cannot live in fear, I have to trust You and I am asking you for courage. Please give me strength and courage in the future months, as there most likely will be more, maybe even larger reptiles and bugs that will come across my path. Thank you for taking care of me-Amen."

Thai Brothers And Sisters in Christ

Below are my amazing teammates who are preparing to go to different areas of Thailand and spread the Word of God. The long term goal: continuing as a team each individual/couple will go and plant new churches;continuing our ministries in different areas of Thailand. As a part of our team, you can be praying for them individually!

From the top to the bottom: Charin,Fon, Chai and Pawn (and kids),Yu, Natee and Bee, Pat, Goh, Pramot and Tang, and Kieow.









Pic of Now...soon to be added to this post...

The Art of Singing Worshipfully

In Church, Prayer Time, Staff Meetings, Small Groups, we worship God in song. Sometimes, the songs are well known hymns/praise songs that can be translated in Thai and English. At these times, I praise the Lord in English and it is wonderful to worship. However, there are also many songs in Thai that are not known songs in English. At church we have the phonetic sounds of the songs on the projector---so us non-Thai readers can sing along. It was a fun challenge to sing along for awhile. But, the reality was I was just babbling (God does not like babbling...that is as bad as thinking one can speak in tongues without a translator/purpose for God's glory...thinking that the Holy Spirit wants to sing interceding for me to God...without my heart saying anything and my mind thinking nothing...but babbling phonetics to fit in...this does not glorify God). Yes, I am convicted! I too desire to truly worship in song with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. With this conviction, I took it to my friend and Thai tutor, P'Yu. Now, from here on out she is teaching me a song a week-teaching me the literal meaning of the songs-so that I too can truly worship God during these times!! When I do not know a song's meaning...I now choose to pray during the music...Tell God how wonderful He is and Thank Him in words. There is no more babbling for me!

Now what is also neat-is that there are words in Thai that one only uses when referring to the King or God-in no other setting. So, Now I am learning words that I would never have know before! It is wonderful! I would now like to share with you a song that I learned and love to Praise God through:

Oong Pra-Jao Poo song Pra Choon (The Lord Who Dwells With Us)
Oong Pra-Japo poo song pra-choon lee song yai ying (The Lord who dwells with us is great almighty/powerful)
Puu song pra taap poon bun-laang gan-san-sern, Pen Khawm-chuan-baan niran (Who stays upon the throne as we praise in joyful ejoice forever and ever)
Chai...raw jung-mii chai thaalawd pen need song chuay rao pracern sudthruu moo-maan, rao grab na-ma-sa-gan. (Yes, Victory in Him we have Victory forever! He helps us to face the evil enemy, we bow to worship You (God))
Raw jung-yaak ja san sern pra naam Pra oong, lah yaak-ja khob-pra-khon thii song mee rach cha gid aun ying yai, rao ja wang-jai nai khawm rak mai rooy raa, praasong pen oong Pra-Jao poo ying-yai, nua phaa lee loogaa sub-bai (We want to praise His name (God) and we want to thank You as we see Your works-so great! We will trust in the love that never fails, cause God is the Lord who is Almighty, above the sky and the world forever and ever).
A gift from me to you! A Thai Praise Song-Praising Him for His Almighty Hand, His Works; Thanking Him for being above all, showing us a love that will never leave us, and giving us victory in Him as He dwells in us forever! So, learn it in Thai or learn it in English! This is a wonderful praise song to sing to our Amazing God!! (I will get a video up on this post of some of us singing this worship song on Thursday...Then you too will know the tune as you also learn this worship song).
I pray you realize that you have a God that loves you with a deeper love ever known to man and If you have accepted this love-He happily dweels within You! Oh So Blessed are We =)

To the LORD: Thanksgiving and Petitions

Our team has been thanking God for many things. As part of the team, will you Thank God with Me? First, eight new members joined the church this weekend. Second, the International School was able to raise money to send to Haiti(Compassion International's Relief project), through an auction of the Elementary Children's artwork expressing the feelings and heartache that is going on in Haiti currently. Third, Napada Handicrafts has been sold at a couple different places in Colorado Springs (Thank you also to Mama and Adam for their hard work!). Fourth, each of the Staff has made themselves available to mentor each of the new believers within the different ministries. Fifth, Napada Handicrafts has made a shirt for Dave to take back to the states and wear...to see if people would be interested in this new inventory (Thank God for the creative ideas within this particular ministry). Sixth, We have the opportunity to re-start our ministry three times a week at Mahatthai park. Seventh, Thank God for the relationships being built with unbelievers and the continued opportunities to share Christ with them. Eighth, Sarah (the other intern here) has been led to go to Moody College for Overseas Missions! Ninth, Thank God for the continued support all of the different Ministries (not just within MTW) have been for one another; How we come together to reach all different areas of need in the Bangkok area. Now a few personal thanks: Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to disciple 13 women through Bible Study Fellowship; Thank you for using me to help equip the Thai staff within our ministry; Thank you for the creative ideas of sharing you with my English Classes; Thank you Jesus for meeting me where I am at each day and walking beside me each minute; and Thank you Lord for our team in the States-supporting in prayer-supporting financially-giving to this ministry (We are so blessed)!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."-Colossians 3:16

We have a few Petitions to Bring to Our Father. Will you pray with me? First, Dave left for the states this morning to preach five sermons and share about this ministry through MTW Thailand. Will you pray for safe travels, no jet lag, energy for the Sermons, more people/church bodies to join our team through financial/prayer support and new teammates to physically join us here? Second, will you pray for Napada Handicrafts-the possibly growth of our inventory and more locations who would want to invest in selling Napada Handicrafts? Remember to specifically be praying with my Mama and Adam-as God speaks through them to different owners in this effort. Oh, and if you want to join them in this effort, let me know! Third, Join us in praying for Haiti- for comfort in this disastrous time-that through this God's glory will be revealed and the whole country will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Fourth, Pray for the New Trainings I will be teaching the Thai staff each Monday throughout the next 10 weeks. Fifth, pray specifically for us to shine the love of Jesus to the cross-dressers who play volleyball at the park (every other Friday evening). Sixth, Pray for God's guidance of putting together a Stomp mixed with a Passion Play...involving all the different ministries (in time for our Easter Service at the park). Seventh, most importantly-that each teammate (including you and I) makes our personal time with God the number one priority of each day.

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."-Psalm 5:3

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My teammates in the United States, Thank you for praying with me.

Krystle

English In Mahatthai 3 Has Begun!

Many of you are familiar with me talking about the ministry we have in the poverty stricken neighborhood of Mahatthai 3. Yesterday (and every Thursday from here on out) I started my first English Class. Originally, it was going to be just the Women of Mahatthai. Yesterday, two children also showed up and next week others are saying that they want to join. So, this English Class may be for the entire neighborhood! I just pray that God paves the way and brings the people He wants into the "Sala" (where the class is held). We are beginning with the "ABC's". Yesterday, We learned how to write (practicing in their notebooks) letters A-P (both upper and lower case). We also practiced the pronunciation of the letters. And of course they are learning how to sing the ABC's. The plan of approach is that they will be taught how to read English by Phonetics. The people in the class will learn the many different sounds each letter can make. Then I will create short stories for them to read from...little by little. Each story will be about Jesus/God; Truths about God. Using very small words at first (It's just like Kindergarten!). So please, pray with me as I look to God, to give me the thoughts of each story-Thoughts that will be appropriate to their new English/Reading capabilities.

"Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."-Proverbs 20:15

I know about the One True God. I know about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And I BELIEVE that Jesus is The One True God; That in Jesus ALONE can I have salvation and a truly satisfying/fulfilling life. I pray my knowledge of Jesus-my faith in Jesus-gives light to those that I teach. I pray that they will soak in this rare jewel of knowledge--as they are studying and learning truths. I pray that one day, they too will take this knowledge, accept this truth, and choose to speak the good news of Jesus to those around them. God is moving...Can you feel it?!!

The Interworkings of God

These past couple weeks I have been noticing how God will use what I am learning in one area and spread it for His glory in other areas of the ministry. It usually starts with my time alone soaking in His Word (the Bible), attending Bible Study Fellowship (Saturdays for leaders meeting or Tuesday Evenings for Discussion Group and Lecture); learning deeper meanings to the scripture I was studying. From that point I watch God use what He is showing me, to glorify Himself and show others who He is and all the characteristics that God has.

Just this past Friday, we had a Campus Bible Study (Campus Ministry) and during it one of that gals was confused as to why God lets us suffer if we believe in Him. After the Bible Study (because I was not leading it) we talked about this. I shared with her that the Bible says that Jesus is our Good Shepherd (Referencing John 10-what I just studied in BSF). We talked about how a Shepherd cares for His sheep. How we are His Sheep. He leads us from the front. If we know Jesus, we will follow Him, fully trusting Him that His way is the best. Jesus is not a slave driver-he does not beat us and push us from behind to follow His ways. So, this is where our choice comes in. If we choose not to follow Jesus...we will find ourselves, fallen on a dangerous path(Did you know when a sheep falls down, it literally cannot pick itself up again?...therefore without the shepherd's help...it would die!). Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, He picks His sheep up when they fall. He says, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." If you cry out to Jesus, He is your comforter and He will carry you through. Well, we are sinners, who often times try to follow our own paths that lead to death vs. God's eternal path full of blessings and a fully satisfied life. When we sin (i.e. like an expectant mother using drugs) it affects other people, bringing suffering to them (i.e. child is born without limbs or it's brain may not be fully developed, etc.). That is what happens in a sinful world. We may be suffering because of our own sin or others sins. But, God is here to comfort us, sustain us, and carry us through these times of trial(if we allow Him).

And it continues as we see in John 11. Mary and Martha were saddened because their brother, Lazarus was sick and Jesus did not come and heal him. Jesus came to them after Lazarus was already dead. They were suffering in their grief. Yet, their faith stayed strong as they professed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (following Jesus as His sheep). In the End, Jesus' raised Lazarus from the Dead. He showed many who He was as the one true God and He was glorified. Sometimes we do not see why bad things happen or devastating things are happening around us...but, God is in Control and He has a plan and purpose...in the end, God will be glorified and our blinders will be lifted.

What opportunities are you finding or allowing God to use you? Has He revealed something to you and then used you to reveal it to another? I would love to hear!!

Okay Fellow Sheep...Until next time,
Krystle