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!