Prayer Meeting

We are so undeserving and yet over and over again the Lord is so faithful to use us in His work. This morning in our daily reading Brandon and I read a verse that fits exactly to our hearts cry, “Brothers my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” Romans 10:1 Just as Paul desired to see lives changed and a true understanding and knowledge (Faith) in God we too are burdened to see the lost be found! 

After much prayer dedicated to the day, we first went with Jo to get his hair cut. Very interesting experience (Mom, things are much different here! lol) While we were waiting in the barber shop some of the girls I have been teaching walked by and I jumped up to go say hello, the Thai people in the shop were so confused that a foreigner knew people walking down the street! 555(in Thai the number 5 is Ha…so translation  is Ha Ha Ha).

I have been teaching the same students for almost a week now and we are studying 1 John in Thai English Thai English back and forth. And today was so exciting for me to see the students faces light up when they began to read the Scriptures and figure out what it means on their own. In just one week, by the grace of God, the students have improved so much we are able to hold a conversation. We came to serve the people and yet they have been serving us way beyond measure. As I am teaching them English they are teaching me so much Thai!!!! I am supper excited to learn the language, God has really used this trip to show me that we Can learn it!

After we both taught English all day, I hung out with the girls this afternoon and Brandon was able to talk and look with Jo for language schools and houses! We have been praying God will make clear where we are to be, and we know He will do just that.

Then this evening we had a prayer meeting at the mission’s house. One of the ladies brought a box of Dunkin’ Donuts! (Who would have thought they actually taste much better here! Lol) It was a good time to come together and share our praises and our request. We took turns sharing things in our lives that we wanted to praise God for. And we shared with them how thankful we are to have churches back home that are faithfully praying for us and even them. I think it meant a Lot for them to know that even people all the way across the world that have never met them are praying for them! One of my favorite things about meeting for worship with the Thai people is that they love to sing praises! It so Beautiful and worshipful to hear both some singing in Thai and others in English at the same time and when they mix it is just an awesome picture of how God has children of all nations!!!!! “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above all the heavenly host. Praise Him Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. AMEN”

And of course we ended the day with a wonderful meal. 

Jo

We have had a few hard times, but mostly good times. Right now we are waiting outside of our apartment for our brother Jo to arrive. It has been good for us to be here without him for a little while to figure things out on our own, but now we are ready for him to be here so we can be more efficient. Jo is a fellow classmate and he is from Thailand.

Brittney and I have seen some very…. new things. Yesterday we saw a man walking his pet duck (with a flashing collar) down the street. We also met one of the professional soccer players that is staying at our apartment. I think his whole team is here because I have seen a dozen or so athletic Nigerians around the apartment. This morning a friend we made at breakfast tried to give us his umbrella. He was sad he couldn’t find it to give to us.

Brittney and I both have been surprised by how much we enjoy the food here. Yes some of it isn’t all that great or very different, but most of it is great. The family that is taking care of us, and we are working with, have been wonderful to us. Today one of them ran out of the kitchen… haha, and tried to explain (funny with language barrier) the animal that snuck into the kitchen. Long-funny-story short I retrieved the large lizard in the garbage can and took it outside, while having many people walking on the street thinking I was a crazy foreigner digging in the trash.

Today we had a good time teaching English. My favorite part is going through the Bible to work on their reading and comprehension. They are smart, and I love when the Thai students say “The God” when talking about our Lord. For the past two days we planned to go visit students at the University, but rain has stopped us both times. We have really enjoyed our stay here, and God has shown us many things. He has also given us ideas about the future.

Well Jo is here! It is 2am but we are too excited to sleep. Jo just happily stuffed his face with the food he had been missing. We still can’t believe we are with Jo in his country, pretty cool. Waiting to see what God has in store for His glory. Thanks for your prayers. 

Church and Chell

WOW! We serve such an AWESOME God!!!!!!!! May all Glory and honor and praise be given to God. This morning we attended a service with about 16 Thai people and I have just been in awe of how Big our God truly is. Hearts are being stirred away from Buddhism towards Christianity! It was so humbling to be in the presence of different nations and people groups crying out songs of praise to the true God together. No matter the language or any other differences our God is receiving glory that He deserves from His people!!! Then after service we had a fellowship lunch…very interesting food lol! The Lord is so good, I was able to share the gospel with a young lady (Chell) and talk to her about having a relationship with Jesus Christ! Tomorrow we are meeting with her again to work on some English and she agreed to let me pray and have Bible study with her!! I am so excited and so was she; she said she will bring many of her friends to hear about this as well!!! Praise be to God and His perfect timing. Thank you for all of your prayers, God is working here and we are so blessed to be a part of it!

Chell

decisions... decisions...

Wow the past two days have been packed with adventures! We have big decisions to make and Lots of praying to do for guidance and direction with our choices.

Yesterday we were offered the opportunity to teach and work with six different schools teaching English and establishing some relationships connecting with some mission work here in Bangkok. It is an awesome opportunity and we desire to help and do as Much as we can while we are here. But the work is very divided here and we are torn with how to spend our time wisely. We pray for unity among the work and that our choices will glorify God.

Today has been wonderful. We met with some native believers and visited the University. Many of the Thai students are having exams this week so we didn’t get to visit much, but we plan to go this afternoon to a local park to meet some people! After we visited the University this morning we went to the mission house and I cooked with the Thai girls and Brandon played guitar and sang some worship in Thai with some of the other students!

God has definitely planned the way for us to be here and we are learning a lot. Our relationship with the Lord is growing, and our marriage is being strengthened daily through our reliance on the Lord. The ministry here is very difficult but there is much work to be done in this city. We Love the people and our hearts desire is to see lives changed. Continue to pray for the people of Thailand that their hearts would be softened and receive the gospel of Christ!

We made it to Thailand!

Well we made it to Thailand! It is hard to believe that we are here. I can already tell that we will not be able to blog and update facebook as much as we are wanting to at the moment because of the issues with internet (I’m praying I can post this).

So far things are great! Yesterday Brittney and I were brought to our apartment by our missionary friend, Nathee. He got us settled in and let us rest from our trip. We tried our best to stay awake to get our internal time to match our new environment, so we went exploring. We went sightseeing along the river and then ultimately to the mall to get a cell phone. Our first day in Thailand “by ourselves” has been a great learning experience and interesting. This trip is making us even more eager for language school. That night we had our first experience with shopping for dinner on the streets. Most of it was good.

We met some neat people that day, now it is 7:30 in the morning and we are waiting to meet with our missionary friends. We are both excited to see what happens today. Thanks for your prayers!

View outside of our apartment 

Getting close to time

It is hard to believe that we will be going to Thailand in less than 10 days, especially knowing what needs to be done before we go! But praise God that we received our passports in the mail today with VISAS, and the money for our trip has been raised! Also it has been confirmed that Jo will be going with us! We are so excited and enjoy planning the trip together. Our school has been gracious to wave our rent while we are gone. Even if you asked I couldn't say enough good things about our school.

We were invited to speak at Westminster Bible Church and Liberty Baptist last week in Henderson. Both visits were a blessing, and we were greatly encouraged. The past Wednesday night we went with the mindset to serve the youth, but it was switched (as it often is). We shared with the children about kids their age in Thailand. After the whole thing the kids prayed for us, and later came back with posters full of prayers. The prayers were so sweet. Our church home has done so much for us. I couldn't imagine doing what we are doing without them. Now I understand better than ever why the Bible teaches missions being a work of God through a local church.

It is incredible how everything is working out. We are so happy that tonight we are partying (like we don't have finals next week...) by making homemade ice-cream, making peach cobbler, and enjoying our marriage. Ready to visit our sweet mothers an grandmothers tomorrow. We have been blessed with wonderful family. God is good!