Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"Ready" is Relative

On day two of our time in Thailand, we read a familiar passage of scripture, but it was only after talking about it did I see it with fresh eyes.  I shared this devotional thought in our team meeting today at work and I'll share it here as well.

In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus takes time to heal the ten lepers.  These are folks who have been banished by society and left to (literally) rot until their deaths.  They've contracted a disease without a cure.  Yet Jesus takes pity on them, see potential in them and heals them.

In verse 14 he tells them to show themselves to the priest.  It's in GOING to the priest that the lepers are healed.  They step out in faith and follow Christ's instructions.  Jesus could have just healed them; it was done over and over before in scripture.  But he didn't.  He told them to go.

It was in the going, the act and and answer to his call that they were healed.

It's later in the same story that we see one return.  One of the ten.  When Jesus questions what happened to the others he's met with silence from the healed leper who returned.  But Jesus doesn't stop there.  He recognizes the glory given to him and sees the thanksgiving and makes the healed leper well.  He takes up the healing a notch and touches the leper's soul.... thus, making him well.

We can each be healed, but God calls us back and wants the glory.  It's by glorifying Him and recognizing His power that we are truly made well.

So, what's to learn?

One- we don't have to be ready and prepared.  We just have to go.  It's in the going that God heals us, blesses us and reveals his magnificent plan.

Two - when it's all done, it's up to us to return the glory and recognize the power in His plan.  It's only then that we're made well.

Are you ready?

I hope not.  Just go.  You'll be surprised at what's in store.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love in the Red Light District

It could be easily argued that Valentine’s Day is one of the most commercialized days of expressing “love”.  You know the kind of love that’s in boxes of chocolates, around the necks of teddy bears and in candied hearts.  We often get caught up in the love-fest, buried under these outward and materialized moments, while forgetting that it’s a matter of the heart.

What is love?  One of the best quotes about love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

So, what do we do with it?  Advice was given by a man who knew no stranger and turned away no one.  Jesus told us to, “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (1 John 13:34,35).”
Tonight our team broke into pairs and took love to the red light district (specifically Nana Plaza) of Bangkok.  The goal of each team was to be present with the girls there: listen to them, offer kind words & smiles and shower them with love.

My partner, Megan S., and I did just that.  Well, and God. :)  We sat at the Pretty Lady bar and spoke with a young woman whom I’ll call Bin.  Bin is only 25 and has been working at the bar for a month.   She recently lost her job (a job that was her passion for two years) as a travel agent due to the recent floods in Thailand.  The agency where she worked tanked.  At the suggestion of a friend, Bin started working at the bar.  Here in Thailand, a girl can make about 7000 bahts a month in a bar compared to the average 300-400 bahts as a farmer.  She’s working so she can send her little brother to college and support her parents who are farmers in a province hours north of Bangkok.  Bin is the only daughter and in Thai culture the daughter is expected to provide financial security for her parents and additional immediate family.

Bin is young woman with aspirations to start back in the travel business as soon as she’s able.  She expressed faith that one of her friends currently working at an agency will be able to bring her onboard once Bin learns more English.  Bin’s eyes still have hope in them unlike some of the girls whose eyes are stormy, sad and have seen too much.  She sits across from Meghan and me in her 3/4 length Mickey Mouse shirt and jean shorts.  When she giggles, she covers her mouth and leans back on her stool.  She’s real and so is her story.

But sometimes faith and hope run short.  It’s said that love never does though. It never fails.  Of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest.  And thank God for that.  I hope that the love Meghan and I poured out on Bin tonight will be a love that lasts forever in her heart.  May it be a special Valentine memory that she’ll carry with her (along with the teddy bear we gave her) if faith and hope expire.

Despite our shortfalls, there’s a God who loves us no matter what.  We each fall short on our own, but He reaches out and always waits for us.  If there’s any sure argument, it’s that He’s the ultimate Valentine.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Thailand- Days One and Two

It's been a hectic two days as our team has been adjusting to Thailand and specifically Bangkok.  Our trip will take place in a trimester of locations: the first being Bangkok for four days, followed by a more remote village to the north west for three days and then the trip will conclude with two more days in Bangkok.

Since arriving, we've been playing tourists and getting a feel for Bangkok.  Tomorrow we begin our more hardcore field work where we'll be going to The Well and having orientation about it.  Then we'll be going into the brothels and bars to tell the girls about The Well and Christ.

BUT.... that's tomorrow.

Yesterday and today we've been adjusting to time zones, new places and new faces!  I should begin with our hotel.  Its beautiful!  Its style is truly after the name, because it's a fusion of Thai and middle eastern.  There are beautiful colors everywhere.  One of my favorite features is this wall of notes in the lobby.  Past guests have written comments in dozens of languages and they have posted them for current guests to see.  Along with the comments are pictures and cards.  It's really creative and an effective way of marketing.

On day one, we had a wonderful breakfast, supplied by our hotel, and then followed it with team devotional time where we looked at Matthew 10, a passage in which Christ sent his disciples out with tangible tips for traversing their fields.  Tips such as giving freely, accepting hospitality and being "shrewd as snakes, but harmless as doves".

After team devotions and prayer, we went to Ancient Siam, a park in Bangkok that's shaped like Thailand and has all of the provinces represented with a replica of something significant and unique to that province.  We each rented a bike and rode around the HUGE park to explore a taste of Thailand.  It was really fun and much needed after 25+ hours of traveling in a plane the previous night.  We had lunch out there in the replica of the Floating Market.  My first lunch in Thailand was pad thai- a must have Thai dish!  It was delicious and set the tone for meals to follow.

After Ancient Siam, we came back to the area near the hotel and most of us went out for massages, which was the next best thing for my body after a 25+ hour plane ride.  An hour long tissue massage, including tip, was about $14.  What??!  Can I bring those prices home with me??  After the massage a smaller group of ladies and I took the metro a couple stops to a road recommended by our hotel concierge.  All the locals go there and for good reason. The street is lined with food vendors and their carts.  It's Anthony Bordain style!  I had a soup dish of dry noodles (meaning: no broth and drained, but seasoned) with fish and shrimp balls.  On the side was a fresh smoothie of pineapple, strawberries and banana.  For dessert we visited a third cart (the smoothie was from the second cart) where we bought mango sticky rice, which is a very common dessert that's amazing!

After gorging, we returned back to our hotel and crashed.

Day Two: Our team devotional covered Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus heals the ten lepers.  I'd heard the story a lot, but was given a new nugget today. The healing began when the lepers left Christ and started walking.  Meaning, we don't have to be "ready" before going out into what we've been called to do.  We just have to go!  In our going, Christ prepares us and heals us.

After devotions, we went to Cori's house, who is a leader at The Well.  Several of the women who work and are being helped by The Well were gracious hosts and prepared us a delicious feast for lunch!      After lunch, we went to church, which kind of reminded me of NCC.  The church meets in a hotel since they are small and growing.  I'll have to write more about the message in a separate post because it deserves its own post.  The message was awesome and the music brought me to tears.  The music was sung in different languages for the different audience members there.  Words were on an overhead in all the languages so people could follow along to the music and sing.  It was spirit lifting to hear the different tongues and languages singing.  All were different, yet all were praising God.  I couldn't help but wonder what Jesus was thinking.  He had to have been smiling.

After the service we fellowshipped with the parishioners and pastors, which was fun.  Then, we boarded taxis and headed across town to dinner... an elaborate outdoor buffet, which was under a HUGE tent.  On each table, the server placed a small fire.  Patrons of the buffet had to pile up their plates with cooked and non-cooked foods they wanted.  Non-cooked meats were added to the fires and cooked in front of their tenders.  It was kind of like fondu, but way cooler.  We were there for hours just eating and table hopping amongst our group to meet more people.  The night was topped of with karaoke, where some of our group members sang.  A couple folks even sang a duet in honor of Whitney Houston.

And that was the end of day two.  Tomorrow begins early with our first trip to The Well.  We'll do orientation and then go out from there.  I'm pretty excited and also a bit nervous about what God's called our team to do.  But I'm hopeful and praying for brokenness and a softening of spirit, both of which I hope begin with me...

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Our Engagement Story

It's been a while coming, but I thought I'd share it for those who haven't heard "the story"...

I never expected that our quaint picnic lunch would turn into the most life-altering, mountain-top experiences of my life.  It was the day after Christmas when Mike told me he wanted to go on a picnic lunch.  The weather was really mild for the day and we thought we'd escape the busy-ness of family gatherings by having some quality time together. 

He wouldn't tell me details about where we would picnic until we got in the car.  As we drove, details were revealed as the mountains crept into view.  Our destination was Hanging Rock, a local well-known place in the NC mountains for "easy" hikes and fantastic views.   After stopping for our sub sandwiches, we parked the car and began the "easy hike" Mike had promised.  He'd even told me I didn't need to change from my ballet flats.  "I think it's paved most of the way to the top," he said.  Well, this girl knows better. I took one look at the mountain and the vertical expectations and slipped into some tennis shoes I had in the car.  Good thing too!  The paved sidewalk ended at about 200 yards.  From there, it was a 1.5 mile hike to the top.

After several pauses to look at scenery (aka, I had to catch my breath so I made excuses to look at rocks and trees), we finally made it to the top.  And it was breathtaking in its own way!  The sky was clear and we could see for miles. 

After taking in the view for a few minutes, we settled in for lunch.  Mike spread out his jacket for us to sit on and I began unpacking our subs.  Normally, Mike is all about the food.  So, I was a little surprised when he wasn't helping me unpack our picnic.  In the next minute, I learned why he was uninterested.

"I have a question to ask you before we eat…" he began with emotion in his voice.  I looked up from unpacking to see his face and then his hand, which he had between us.  In it was a beautiful ring.  I paused and so did he.  Emotion was overcoming him and all he could do was smile.  I waited while smiling and realizing this moment was going to alter our lives forever.  "…if I can ask it…" he paused again with twinkling eyes.  Eyes full of hope, joy, tenderness and love.
It was then that he asked me to marry him.  After celebratory kisses and hugs, he pulled away and said, "and there's someone special here!"  He pointed to my right where my sister was standing with camera in hand, snapping our picture!  Tipped off by Mike, she had been following us all afternoon, from house to restaurant to mountain-top, in order to capture our special day on film.  She had endured and also survived the 1.5 mile vertical climb I had!!
When I reflect on our engagement, I can't help but hope that it's a metaphor for our marriage.  Marriage has ups and downs and is a journey where hand holding is required.  Like a mountain climb, it may seem tougher at times and have moments where life gives you pause, but in the end there are some amazing views if you work together.