God's Work

Dear family and friends,

        I ust returned from Faith Village today after spending ten days there. We overcame many mechanical challenges. I helped them work on their tractors and track-hoe. They have done so much with their land and are becoming self sufficient with their crops and resourcefulness. They have 70 people on the land including the children and the staff. They are all so diligent in their study of God’s Word and a shining beacon in their schools and to the surrounding area.

          Before going to Faith Village I was at MaeToh for ten days or so. We had many projects including building three bathrooms. These “bathrooms” are not like what you would see in the states of course. They are like outhouses. We did this to provide people with what they needed. The pastor, Ajan Tirason, who is also the children’s home father led these projects with some of the Love and Grace church members. The members are discovering the blessings of giving and the church is reaching out to those who have even less. Two bathrooms were for church members close to MaeToh and one was many miles away in a village that they had heard about. The village has no church and not one Christian resident. So we went there to develop relationships and to be an example of Christ’s love.

           Another project we are looking at is starting a sister church in a village 90 kilometers away. Ajan Tirason has a friend there that has retired from a position similar to our position as Mayor. He is a very influencial character who is full of life and the love of Jesus. He has land and wants to build a church and has a vision for a children's home as well. I’ve been in Thailand 11 weeks tomorrow. I’ve been on a super fast track of learning. I’ve learned so much but the best advice I can relay to anyone is to be prayed up at all times. Be listening to God’s instruction. He will bring you through everything and you will come out the other side shining like never before. The next best thing to remember is be adaptable. Every time I have the opportunity to share at a church I’m visiting God has revealed something to me to share. Thank goodness because I know as a missionary I’m expected to be able to preach so He is working on me a little at a time. I look forward to the day I translate or even preach in Thai! I know God uses our strengths but He also uses our weakness even more. I hope He will use my weakness in speaking to one day bring Him more glory than all of my strengths put together.
     
          I’ve been told that a person goes through stages of homesickness. After 3 months is suppose to be hard and then 18 months and then 3 years. I hate to jump the gun but I really cannot imagine missing home enough to abandon the work that God has for me to do. The question “How long are you staying in Thailand?” is asked weekly. Most missionaries last a year and others 3 years. Very few continue beyond that. So you can imagine the skepticism of many here that have seen so many come and go. It is a blessing and a curse for them to meet so many good people but then to have to say good bye often to never see them again. My response when I’m asked is I’ve committed to a year but I’ll be here as long as God wants me here. Even on the difficult or seemingly unproductive days I see God’s hand at work.

          The relationships I’ve built here seem to be many years old even though it has only been a matter of months. The things I’ve learned, the relationships I have, the things I’ve gotten to do and the closeness that I’ve experienced with “I AM” are the reasons that I love being here. The physical things I mentioned earlier that I’ve gotten to do along with distributing shoes and hauling rice are exactly that… physical things. Things you can see, touch, and say “Yeah, we did that.” But for the most important things I have done there is no measure. Not even just for the lives I’ve made an impact on here but for so many that I keep in contact with at home. It is amazing how this mission has opened up opportunities to share with people in the states what Jesus has done for them. It really is amazing how God seems to have been preparing me my whole life for this. Problem solving, growing up on a farm always working with my hands fixing and building things (plumbing, tractors, cars), understanding crops and animals. I could never imagine God could use me in the way He is and will never put limits on His direction for my life. It is His to do as He chooses. I am just thankful that He has chosen to use me. God bless the work of your hands!

-John