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!