Outreach to Mae Hong Son

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you know you've heard God's voice - you know you are walking in obedience - yet there's something inside that says "and just what do you think you are doing"? Well, I had one of those moments as we took the last hair-pin turn up the sharp incline to the remote Karen village in the Northeast Province of Mae Hong Son. I definitely felt an air of expectancy as we drove the last few kilometers and yet I also felt the fear of the Lord as I realized that without Him, this would be nothing but an empty act of good works.

I knew we were going to be taught a great deal about faith on this trip because we didn't have nearly enough gifts to hand out to every child (over 350) - nor did we have nearly enough blankets for all the elderly people. It's very cold (freezing) up in the hills of Northern Thailand right now and warmth is a valuable commodity. ENTER THE GOD FACTOR!!! After presenting the Gospel message through dance, songs, message, and skits, we proceeded to hand out the gifts. You guessed it - WE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH! MORE THAN ENOUGH! Praise God!

One of the challenges of handing over ministry to local people (there were Karen pastors present to do the ministry needed) is that we can't always see "the end of the story". I do know though that as I looked over the crowd the evening we presented the Christmas Story, their heads were leaning forward, their eyes were pivoted on the team members - and their spirits were being fed the food from the Master's Table! The presentation began with the lighting of the Christmas candles and a prophetic dance by two Karen Christian girls from our team. They were dressed in their traditional Karen outfits (see web album) and they were carrying tamborines as they danced to "Days of Elijah" ushering in the Presence of the Lord.

At the end of the presentation that night, the sound ringing throughout the village was "Angels we have heard on High, sweetly singing o'er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains". Just as we were singing "Glo...ria" the fireworks were set off and an amazing array of lights lit up the sky. You could have heard the softest of whispers as the chorus was finished and it was at that time that the Christmas story was presented to spirits that were alert to the coming of their King!

Please pray for wisdom for the Karen pastors and for the seeds that were sewn to produce good fruit that multiplies. Please also pray for workers for the harvest.

Thank you's go especially to our friends in Arizona who completely financed this trip. Without your generosity, this may not have happened. God bless you mightily!

Do you know what I know?

Yes, the poverty was overwhelming, the despair almost suffocating; however, the Lord gently reminded me that to speak out one simple prayer to the One Who was born in a manger changes forever the spiritual atmosphere surrounding that prayer. Do you know - REALLY know the power behind your prayers? Quantum mechanics teaches us that all matter - everything - is made of pure light. The energy behind the formation of our world came from that Pure Light! The power to sustain life as we know it from moment to moment derives its origin from that Light. And, when Jesus said "I am the Light of the world", He wasn't simply speaking of illumination. He was speaking to us of His power. Let us then, this Christmas Season, truly celebrate the coming of that Light to this dark world. Let us celebrate the Power behind our prayers. And during those moments when we find ourselves questioning the necessity of our own existence, let us remember - The Light of the World has come! The Power far greater than any power that has been known - that is known - and that will be discovered in the future - that power came to earth in a manger! That Power goes forth throughout the land when we simply bow our knees in prayer.

"Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king... 'do you know what I know'?

May this Christmas Season be filled with the Hope eternal that comes in knowing the Power of our prayers! Look at the Light - He'll show you the Hope no matter what your circumstances may be.

The Visa Run!

Because of all the terrorist activities throughout the world, the U.S. Embassy in Chiang Mai has increased it's security which in turn creates some new policies and procedures! Noina and I arrived at the Embassy gate at 8:00 a.m. for our appointment but found out that even though I'm a U.S. Citizen, I could not enter the Embassy except on Tuesday's and Thursday's in the morning! So, Noina had to go in through the double sealed and locked doors by herself! To make a long story short, we had received some misinformation on how to actually secure our appointment, our newly required "Pin" number, and the proper location for payment of visa's! It took from 8:00 a.m. until almost 2:00 p.m. for us to correct the errors and after all was said and done, we were told we had to return next Monday to be able to have our appointment! It appeared as though once Noina left the line to go to the post office to pay a fee and submit our Pin # (which turned out to be the wrong one).... she automatically lost her appointment and had to go to the end of the line! When she finally got up to the desk again, she was then told "Oh, you have the wrong KIND of pin # and you'll have to go online and purchase one in order to set up a new appointment". BUT GOD!!!!! We determined to remain thankful, we relaxed for two hours before heading back to Chiang Rai, and decided to spend some time in worship. Then, on our way home, we experienced something neither of us had ever experienced before! We saw TWELVE RAINBOWS on the way back. TWELVE! Two doubles! We claimed that as a reminder to us of God's promises - and His faithfulness to us no matter what the situation may look like! It is God who is in control!

Thanks for continuing to pray!

Noina's Story

I first heard the name of Jesus when I was in school during Christmas but I did not have full understanding of who He is. Years later, I had faced many losses. My husband passed away when my child was 6 months old. Six years later, my parents died and I had to take care of their business which I really did not understand the business world. Finally, I could not keep my parent’s large wood business, so I lost the company and ended up with a 10 million baht debt. I cried to sleep every night and sometimes I had to take sleeping pills. I tried hard to solve my problems in order to have enough money to raise my child and pay off my debt. Fortunately, I own a small guest house where I can earn some money to support my family for living. Before I was a Christian, I went to many places to do meditation, to give merit and to worship idols. I thought all of theses would make my life fulfilled.

One day I met a widow who stayed at my guest house. I could see that she has peace in her life though she lives by herself. I thought she also saw how desperate I was. She challenged me to pray and receive Jesus into my life and give all burdens to Him. She also confirmed that I would be able to sleep, so I did not hesitate to follow her suggestion. I prayed and invited Jesus to come into my life and was very sorry for all the Buddhist things I had done. Surprisingly, that night I was able to sleep without taking the pills!

Since then I have been experiencing how God helps me through my sufferings; career, debt, and raising my child. He would always provide the way out in His time. I continue to pay on this debt to honor my parents and every month Jesus provides a way for me to meet our nees and to give to others. When I met Jesus, I was dirty, starving and hurt. He gradually cleans me from head to toes. He changes me day by day.

Even though I am stubborn sometimes, He shows mercy to me, heals me and forgives me every time. I do not want to be a stubborn child to Him anymore. Thus, I pray for changes in my life and love that I would have for others. I ask Him to teach me how to serve Him.

God provides things more than we can imagine. As I had experience working with tribal people at the border between Thailand and Burma before, I began to have a heart for these people. I want to be able to help them in areas that they need; for instance, education and social welfare.

God also gives me opportunity to know people who have a burden to assist children in remote areas. We support their education, sport equipments, Solar cell device, clothes, food, toys and etc. We spend 1-2 nights with the children when we visit them. We play games, sports and sing some songs with the kids to tell them that we are here with God’s love.

Moreover, we have a burden for evangelism in villages and schools in the countryside so that the kids will receive what they need in lives including salvation. I’d like to ask you to keep me in your prayers. May God bless you. Noi Na

Working out in the faith gym!

The university students we work with are going to be stepping up to the plate as well (even though they live on about $12.50 per month) and this Sunday I'm going to be taking a 'sacrificial giving' offering at our church as well. The poverty stronghold must be broken and giving is the best way to defeat it! Amen? Amen! Noina and I will be taking a trip to Chiang Mai (3 1/2 hours by car) to apply for a tourist visa to the U.S. God needs to show up and go before us as a consuming fire. U.S. visas are very difficult to obtain normally, but this one is going to be like a hot knife through butter! Believe with us, okay? Thanks!!!

Amazing Laos Trip

What a wonderful trip to Laos! The Lahu people are wonderful and we met many new friends. The bridges made of bamboo posts and rocks were a bit on the wild side for this Minnesota girl, but life was never meant to be dull! I will post pictures in a short while to give you a little taste of how incredible the experience was. Hopefully, we will return again to meet more new friends!