Character Building during the mix of Plan Changes

This past week, for the first time since being in Bangkok, I felt stressed. We have two Christmas Events (tonight and tomorrow) where I am to put together a couple different skits. So, throughout the week I writing out the skits; the Christmas Story and the Lifehouse-Everything drama to music. I was also working on getting others lined up to practice last Saturday....

Well, my plans were not God's plans last Saturday. On Saturday, my itunes would not work and I needed to get the song-Everything off of my computer and onto a CD for the rehearsal. I kept praying,"Lord I know that you want us to do this skit and I know that you can make these itunes work." So throughout the day, in Faith, I kept pushing the itunes icon on my computer...only for nothing to happen. At the time that we were supposed to start rehearsing, a couple of my teammates came up to me and said, lets practice tomorrow. Well, feeling the pressure of making sure the skits were well done, I was frustrated. And unfortunately, it showed in my facial expression and the tone of my voice when I responded. I felt defeated and now this on top of the itunes issue. What does God want from me?!

Saturday evening, there was a neat dinner up on top of the roof of the church. A dinner that would not have been worth missing. A dinner that I wish I knew about before. So, at this point I am feeling mixed emotions about the change of plans... Frustrated... yes... but, noticing this was a special activity.

So, they asked me to hand out the parts. The people that were originally going to do it, backed out. The people that I thought would be the best at the parts, were no longer available for Sunday.

When Sunday morning came, I was handed a CD with the song for our drama, "Everything", on it. We began practice at 1:00pm and finished at 6:30pm. The people in the skits are completely different than the one's I would have chosen and yet by 6:30pm, I saw how God pulled through.

When Monday morning rolled around. I felt convicted over my attitude towards my teammates on Saturday. I felt bad for being upset with God for not making things go the way I planned on Saturday. Upon getting to the office I was convicted-through a couple of your e-mails...Realizing it is not about me-but God. (Krystle take away the Pride).

I must listen more than talk...Talk about conviction! For God is the Prince of Peace (I was not filled with Peace on Saturday). My joy was gone and I was aggravated with the relaxed way of the Thai culture-clashing with my perfectionist attitude of a performance.

Another stated this and it felt like He was talking from my heart. So I quote, "I’m learning to let go of my life agenda, recognizing that certain things are out of my control, but also knowing that the Lord has always had a plan and purpose for those things. (There is freedom in trusting God) And that’s a good thing – because He holds the future. It’s actually quite an adventure."

You see these skits are not my skits. They are God's skits. He knew from the beginning who He wanted in the skits. In a way outside of my box of thinking, He provided the song for the drama. These skits are not a performance score for me. They are an opportunity to by used by God to share the gospel; ultimately glorifying Him.

Now is the time to Sing, "It Is Well With My Soul" and trust God with each day.

As Christmas is nearing. We are making Satan uneasy. He doesn't want us to have Joy. He doesn't want us to share the TRUE meaning of Christmas. He will do everything He can to darken our hearts and discourage us. Don't let Him! I have humbly asked forgiveness from God and the two teammates that I had a negative attitude with on Saturday. I will not let my heart be discouraged by Satan. Check your hearts and hold stead fast to God and He will lead you in the opportunities that He has for you during this Christmas Season. Opportunities that you would definitely not want to miss out on!


“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Please Pray for tonight and tomorrow's Christmas events. Pray that the skits Go as God has planned, and He softens the hearts of those there that they may be open to the truth that will be told!

Thanks!
Krystle

Our Women's Christmas Party

Thursday evening we had our church's Women's Christmas Party. Mary had everyone to her house for the party. Each of us brought a dish to share for dinner and a white elephant gift with the value of 100 baht. I noticed that when people got up for seconds on their servings of food...the Thai women went for another helping of the healthy main dishes while the American women went for the chocolate bars and sugar cookies (Yes I am guilty). The sugar cookies were an exciting highlight of the evening as sweets are not highly accessible around Bangkok. We socialized and then sang Christmas Songs together. I attached a video clip to this blog of the group singing Joy to the World in their natural language-Thai. You will also notice a picture of Ying with her guitar. She led us in song. Praise God(Shared as a prayer request in a previous blog)-Her interview at the Embassy went well (Thank you for your prayers) and she will be leaving for New York to take her nanny position. Please pray for her as she is nervous about the upcoming culture shock.

After we sang Christmas songs we played a few games. There is a picture of one of the games. We had two teams-Each behind the blue flooring. Each teams had to have someone put one of their teammates up to their side of the blue flooring. Then when they dropped it...the two players had to "race with words" in saying the person's name (on the opposite team) first. It was an adrenaline rush!!

Jan gave the Christmas Story; emphasizing the Gift of God's Son. I didn't understand most of it because it was in Thai...so good thing I already know this amazing Truth!!

As a group we played the white elephant game. My roommate told me to get dishes for the house. She said to bring these because the women of our church always love getting things for their kitchen. So, I found a glass pitcher and glasses (It was pretty)...My roommate ended up with it...I don't think she likes it--OOPS! Good thing she doesn't know it was my gift...shhhh! (I received a beautiful blue and white scarf...Fun, Fun, Fun!)

So, here I have been worried about my feelings on Christmas. This is my first Christmas away from my family. But, God is showing me the fun in enjoying Christmas with my Thai friends. It is a wonderful feeling of love, while bustling in excitement. This was our first Christmas Activity. We have three more Christmas parties for the different ministries and a missions trip to go on (Northern Thailand)before Christmas. I am excited to see what God reveals about Himself throughout this next week.

God-You have shown me that although, I am missing sharing this with my family back home...The celebration is over the moment when you sent your son, Jesus, into the world. In the form of an infant, He grew up amongst sinners. He was surrounded by evil, and 33yrs later paid the ultimate sacrifice (On the cross)-so that I can go to heaven with you one day. Jesus, your birth into the world is the perfect reason to celebrate-Help me keep my emotions out of the picture and my focus on you-celebrating YOU with those around me. I desire to shine your love and share this truth with the children, my peers, and my elders. Love you! Krystle

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!

Thanksgiving

Each year Thanksgiving is celebrated on an adventure with my family. This year was the first year, that I am on an adventure during Thanksgiving without my family. Here in Thailand, I have been surrounded by a different, yet wonderful family.

The morning was spent as staff. We worshiped God in song and thanked him for many aspects of our lives (the ministries, the people around us,our authorities, His provision, etc). Then in the afternoon, we all prepared for the dinner. Some of us cooked, others took care of tables, others making the lanscaping look beautiful, and others puting together songs for our time together. This was the first Thanksgiving, that I had a variety of Filipino, Thai, and American foods. As shown in the top picture, we had three tables of this fantastic variety. Thanksgiving was shared with a Filipino team that came on a missions trip (shown in middle picture) to serve with us for a week, our Staff here at New Fellowship Community Church, and others whom we had invited throughout the past couple weeks to join us for the meal. Together we sang to God, prayed, and fellowshiped with one another. It was perfect!

Plus, I was able to eat some wheat bread, as well as some delicious pies!

God Moves while teaching a Natural English Class

I have been given the opportunity to teach English classes. Each English class holds a different level of English capability with the students. "Natural English" was the one class that worried me. Those who have known me through my teenage years, could probably attest that English was and continues to not be my strongest subject! In this Natural English class I am teaching things such as definite articles and relative clauses, etc. I am so glad that I could give it to God to go before me in this class. In preparation for each of my classes, one of my prayers (so pray with me please!) is that God shows me ways to share Him with my students. This week, we were discussing, stereotypes/prejudices, and God brought me right to His word for the lesson. He used what He is showing me in my BSF lessons and applied it to this class. Isn't it awesome to see how God shows you something in His Word that can so practically be used many times throughout your week? =)

I have been studying about the Jews and the Samaritans and on how they held huge prejudices against one another. What stereotypes were held toward the other ethnic/religious cultural group of people. Jesus broke this stereotype "as a Jew" when he spent time with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 6). So, as a class...practicing our English, reading, and understanding of what we read...we acted out three different skits. One of two Jews discussing their ethnic history and why they have so much hatred toward the Samaritans. Another skit of two Samaritans discussing their ethnic culture and why they have such negative opinions of the Jews. Finally a third skit as two acted out the scene of Jesus and the woman at the well.

I continued to pray that these skits are not offensive, and that each class member may take some truth out of it. Everyone seemed to enjoy acting it out and as I watched their facial expressions...there were looks of interest...enjoying the facts of history involved. Please pray with me that for each of my classes, God will help me in my preparation, be able to in some way incorporate some truth of who He is.

Rhianna, a woman on our team here and also the woman I talk to in regards to accountability each week, encouraged me with the fact that we are planting seeds. And one day hopefully the seeds grow into blossoming flowers desiring a personal relationship with God. She says that she has seen it here through this part of the ministry. As each missionary who comes here is used by God in these individuals lives and He continues to draw his sheep nearer to Him.

One of my roommates shared with me her journey to knowing and receiving God. She said that she looks back and is amazed to see how God had a hand in her life, how He was drawing her nearer to Him (partly through studying English), and after a few years of God moving quickly in her life, the lights turned on for her. At that time she desired that deep, personal relationship with God herself. Today, this is a woman who is mentoring/shepherding many other women here in Bangkok. Her faith/her walk with God, is mature way beyond her years. My prayer is that one day my students will choose for themselves to take that step of faith and develop their own personal walk with God as my roommate did ten years ago.

As a last note: I am going to be inviting my students to BSF each month. The next intro class is this coming Tuesday. Please pray that over the months of asking or even this very week they will decide, to come =)

Remember, each day you are planting seeds of Jesus in the hearts of those around you. How are you shining Christ's light and planting seeds of God's unconditional love to those around you?

Your Sister in Christ,
Krystle

Lets Go To The Lord In Prayer

Nothing is Impossible for God! In His word we know that He is the
Beginning and the End. He is our Creator. He is Never Changing. He is Merciful. He is the Bread of Life. Through Him we have Salvation. He is With Us Always...These are just a few Characteristics of God that our Thailand staff praised Him for on Thursday afternoon (a time set aside for the staff to worship and pray together for the ministries). We had a wonderful time of worship; praising God in words and in song.

Our staff went into a time of Thanksgiving to the Lord after we praised Him. You too can joyfully thank Him with us. 1) Our Campus Bible Study started up again Friday night there was a whole circle of people in attendance. 2)P'Chai and P'Pawn (a married couple on the team) found house to move into. 3)Napada Handicrafts ministry has a website up and are now working on the logistics. 4)My students in my English Classes have bonded well to me and we are off to a good start! 5)Approximately thirty children came to JOY Kids and had their eyes glued to P'Pang as she told the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. 6)A lady is able to translate the sermons in a room upstairs on Sunday morning to those that are only English speakers.

Then we prayed some prayer requests. 1) A flu/sinus/cold is going around the team. Prayer that those that are sick will get better and those that are not sick do not catch it. 2) P'Ying is going to interview with the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday...pray that it goes well so that she can go be a nanny in New York for two years (although we will really miss her!). 3) Campus Ministry-Those that we play badminton with with come to some activities that we plan; Also that more people will come to the "Club" on campus from 11am-2pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. 4)Mahatthai: I will begin teaching English to the Mahatthai women...that those relationships grow...and that the language will not be a barrier (Remember God can do the impossible!); Also more adults will come to seek after God in that Community...that they might decide to join us for worship on Wednesday Evenings. 5) Napada Handicrafts-Stores in CO will choose to sell the items and we may begin to have a better support for this ministry within Thailand too. 6) One of the ladies who works at Napada Handicrafts is beginning to ask deeper questions about God. Please pray as the Lord continues to soften her heart that she will desire to find that pure satisfaction that we know can only be found in Christ. 7) A student, Jane, from our campus ministry is also being mentored at this time. P'Yu has been talking to her about God for a long time now and she seems to also be beginning to desire having a personal relationship with God. 8) Filipino Team-This team is coming out here today and working with us for the next week. Pray that they feel loved by us. 9) Upper Thailand gets down to 40 degrees during this season and due to many people not having the appropriate clothing, often times they get hypothermia and die. So a prayer of God's protection over them this winter would be a wonderful blessing. 10) The interns on the staff that are in Bible Seminary at this time..God continues to grow them and reveal His timing and as He opens the doors for them to go out and continue to church plant throughout all of Thailand. 11) Prayer for God's guidance in where and how to open up churches in other locations. Your Prayer Support means more than you will ever know!

What characteristic of God is standing out to you today? What attribute of his is He showing you? What are you thanking God for today? Let me know so I can be in thanksgiving with you!! Also, I love receiving prayer requests from those that have sent them to me. I pray each day over them. Those of you that are not sending me prayer requests...Please do...I am a prayer warrior for you! I care about what God is doing in the ministry that you are apart of, in your family, and in your life.

Never forget to bring all things to Christ in Prayer!

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!