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.