NO Workaholics Allowed!

Those of you who know me...know that I have been a workaholic for the past three years. I am so thouroughly exhausted by the end of my workdays that I have no energy to give to others...no energy to build relationships by spending time with others that I do not yet know. Well that is not going to "fly" here in Thailand. I am learning that people are very relational. The Thai staff on my team will stop from their work to play a game with others that come into the church/office building. They are showing me that it is important to prioritize those relationships. In America, this would probably be labeled as lazy...There is always work to be done...and no body likes the "slacker" in the office. For having a co-worker that is a "slacker" usually just makes your work load double, right? That is NOT protocol in Thailand. You are caring, genuine, a true friend/mentor, if you care enough to take the time to get to know someone.

The whole reason for me being out here is to be an asset to the MTW team; used by God so that others may have a chance to know the sacrificial ultimate love of Jesus. I must understand this relational Thai way. A way most Christian Americans should probably adopt themselves. God's Word, The Bible, states our main purpose on this earth through Paul in Colossians 2:2-3 "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (NIV) Are you fulfilling God's purpose? Fulling His purpose with an open heart? allowing God to use you in other's lives? Taking that time to build relationships? And ultimitely showing Christ's love? Or are you (like I'm struggling with) finding yourself a workaholic, where you are stressed and focused on the "To-DO's" of your checklis that you have no energy to give to relationships?

I'm not saying be lazy...I'm saying we must manage our time wisely, do our daily work in Christ's strength, and not get to the point of burn out; that point where we have no energy to give to the REAL Purpose that God has for us on earth. Ask God to use us for His glory throughout our daily work day.

I was able to see God in action on Monday evening. This helped me see the difference in being too focused on the "To-Dos" versus the importance of taking the time to "hang out" and build relationships with people around me. Monday, I was at the office from 7:30am to 9:00pm...only allowing a break for lunch. (I was teaching my first Advanced English Class from 7-9pm and throughout the day I was worried about the best way to "spice the class up"..but I will get to this in a later blog entry). So, by 9:00pm I was exhausted...ready to go home and relax. However, One of my students stayed and everyone was downstairs talking. We ended up going out to dinner and singing karaoke together that evening. As a side note: Karaoke is a big thing here..probably because everyone has amazing voices). Taking time to hang out with some of the Thai staff and a couple students, has already given me a closer relationship with them...allowing for deeper conversation.

Picture of our group on Monday night: Starting across from me and going around the table is P'Yu (a roommate), Sarah (another intern), P' Pat (Staff-studying to be a minister), P'Go (staff-also studying to be a minister), P'June (a friend of P'Douy), P' Douy (my English student), and then myself.

This is a picture of me learning that doing God's Work needs to be a priority. Please pray for me to see God's hand as He reveals to me some specific people (who may not know Him as their Lord and Savior) that He may want me to invest in on an individual basis.

Thank You!