BSF Testimonies

The year has come to an end for the study of John in Bible Study Fellowship. The women in my group (see picture above of some of my lovely women)are so dear. Many are new Christians and on fire as they are soaking in God! A couple have been Christians longer and they took on a big sister, leadership role within our group. And others are "checking God out" and eager to know more. My group started in the middle of the study and as we had our last fellowship together last Tuesday, I just praise God for how our group became so close. I praise God for each woman in my group and what a blessing they were to have. I facilitated this group of women, yet God has taught me so much through them and their testimonies. Some led from behind the scenes. Others were eager to share on the personal questions, allowing the group to get deep and real in their own personal answers. When we were struggling to get the right answer on a Biblical Truth, a couple women always piped in with their answer. A couple ladies were true prayer warriors and they would keep up with the others in the group...letting them know that they are praying and showing them true love from a sister in Christ. God opened my ears as well as the ears of the others in the group to understand the different accents of people's English. One gal consistently typed up the BSF lessons in Thai so that those in the group who could hardly speak English, let alone read and understand could still do the lessons each week. Another Thai national, would translate in Thai what was being discussed withing the group each week, so that they were not lost in the conversation. I watched as a couple gals, where the language barrier was huge, show true perseverance. I have been able to build close friendships with them in the process as we both fumble around with the other's language. On sharing night, I heard many other testimonies. Testimonies which made me cry and see God's hand in others' lives around me. Here a couple examples:
One gal in my group will not eat for a couple days at a time so that she will be able to pay for the transportation to and from BSF. She values spending time in God's Word with other believers that much. The sad thing is that it may only cost $1.50 for her to get to and from BSF on a given BSF night. But to see an eagerness like that is amazing. God is transforming her life. He is her daily bread and He quenches her thirst. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."-Philippians 4:11-12

Another lady shared how, with the men's side opening up this January, they had the right age group open in the Children's program for her son to also be able to go. During the time of the bombings and other explosives going off, she got a phone call from the school that the school was in a danger zone. They were trying to get the children out. She was a wreck, knowing that it will be extremely dangerous just driving over to get to her son. When she called her son (7 years old), he responded with peace. In Thai he calmly told his mother that she need not to worry about him because God is in control and He has a perfect plan. God loves him and is taking care of him. He was okay if he went to heaven that day or if he got to leave the school in his mothers arms. He continued to remind his mom about what they are learning in BSF about God. What an incredible testimony this little man had on his mother, all of us hearing it from her, and all the people in the school who were terrified about being shot at or blown up at any given second. God is at work. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."-Isaiah 26:3

I am in awe of the Lord and His work within the ministry. All we need is Jesus, no matter what happens in our life on earth...we can be satisfied and complete in Christ. These testimonies prove it. Because no matter the pain, the joy in Christ is greater. And as we rest in Jesus' palms we know that He will either take us out of the pain or He will give us grace and strength to endure it. I pray that people realize the comfort and completeness we have in Jesus. Life would be a nightmare if we did not walk it with God!