Now that you know a little about our family in Thailand, I
can tell you what we did all month. Although there were no missionaries other
than ourselves at the ministry for the month, we did a little bit of everything
to be honest. Somehow in the midst of it all I struggled with not feeling like
we were doing “enough”, which was totally a lie. We were doing the exact things
we needed to do and were called to Eagle’s Rest to do.
A unique experience we had earlier in the month was to do church outreach in a nearby tourist town, Phuket. In February there are nightly
celebrations for the Chinese New Year. We were invited to do street ministry by
a very conservative church in Phuket, two nights this month. The first night we
hung out inside, performing skits and singing for the church members. We were a
little thrown off by this, being it wasn’t what we had envisioned. However, the
second night was totally different and more what we planned for. Unlike the
first night, the church members had the sound equipment set up outside upon our
arrival. I think this probably had something to do with Allan belting out
worship songs on the sidewalk as we left the first night. They knew we weren’t
there to be silent. Thanks to Ginger, we perfected a nonverbal skit that
explains the Gospel in an entertaining way. We did it numerous times, attracting a
bigger crowd each time. We, as well as the church members took turns leading
worship as well. It was awesome to see that in the midst of the passerbys who
were there to celebrate the new year, and with rap music blaring in the
background, people stopped to watch us. A bunch of North Americans performing
some silly skit about something they probably weren’t even interested in.
Praise God that as long as we are obedient, He can use anyone.
Another opportunity we had was to teach English at a
local primary school. We had the pleasure of working alongside Mrs. Margaret, a
North American who has lived in Thailand for forty years or so. We worked two
days with her teaching English to Kindergarten through third graders.
Mrs. Margaret is a Christian, and totally uses her position to be a Christ
example in these students’ lives. The first day we solely went by her
curriculum to teach the students. The second day we held a English “fun day”,
with four various stations. Throughout the day we taught 200 children! We had a
music, games, art, and relay station. At the end of both the morning and
afternoon session, we were able to share the Gospel and the love God has for
them in a hands-on way. Being a
teacher, I kept thinking that we could never have done this in a school in
America. Literally, I could lose my job at home for preaching the Gospel. I
will never forget being able to share with so many children in
one day.
The afternoon group of students.
The teaching crew with our Gospel tool. Mrs. Margaret, the kids, Tim, and the team.
The art station, which I was in charge of. The students created an outdoor mural, practicing English by discussing the various parts.
According to our contacts, one of our main objectives for
the month was to be “prayer warriors” for them. By prayer warriors I mean we could intercede, or fight for them through prayer. Even
before they knew us, they knew we were here for a reason and that reason was to
pray and worship with them. A friend of Janene even received a vision of us all
surrounding the wall of Jericho in worship and in prayer. We wanted to see
walls come down this month, no matter what that meant. Rommel and Janene are at
a stage in their ministry where they are in search of a new home for Eagle’s
Rest. They are currently in two buildings owned by a local church, whom
recently expressed their need for the buildings again. During our time in Thailand,
Rommel and Janene were in a persistent search for new land, hopefully with a
standing building on it already. We visited various land with them, praying
over it and asking God whether it was in His will for Eagle’s Rest or not. We
went through the streets praying, which was new for some of our team. Prayer
walks can look however you want, but our goal was to pray for the people of the
community, that they would turn to God and that Eagle’s Rest would be a light
in a spiritually dark place. That the people would see they don’t have to
manifest God’s presence with spirit houses as they do in their Buddhist
beliefs. Also, that if there was new land for Eagle’s Rest, that it would be
revealed in a clear manner, eliminating any doubt. Our second to last day with
the family, Rommel and Janene found a beautiful home that will house the office
for Eagle’s Rest, as well as the schoolroom for the children. The last day of
the month God blessed us with the opportunity to see the fruits of our prayers
and take part in preparing the home for usage. Along with the children, Rommel, and Tim (the children’s
teacher, our roommate, and new friend) we cleaned the house from top to bottom
and moved them in!
The group praying over a piece of land, and the home we help them move into!
Aside from the already mentioned, we did various odd tasks
here and there. Janene scheduled us to lead workshops for the children on
various days throughout the month. She asked our interests and talents and
allowed us to share those with the children. Throughout the month my teammates
taught soccer, volleyball, photography, and worship. The men of the team did
construction with Rommel a few days, and I had a personal project throughout
the month. Sewing. I know a thing or two about sewing and have sewn some in the past, so I willingly signed up. I never thought I would find myself sewing curtains, and bedding for a baby
crib on The World Race though. It took a while to finish it all, but Janene was
very patient with my not so up to par skills. However, I was very pleased with how
it all turned out.
God seriously did so much last month. We had the awesome
opportunity to grow immensely as a team, which was much needed. We found rest
and were hugely blessed/spoiled by the Ala family. We were able to bless
someone in a time of need, and even when we felt like we weren’t doing much, we
were a source of encouragement. We had countless opportunities to be used by
God in everyday tasks. I learned that ministry is what you make it, and that it
has countless facets. Ministry can be where you are at any given time. We learned
what it looked like to seek God first, to hear His voice and to discern where
He was leading us. Lastly, we learned that as Christians, we are called to do
everything with an attitude that Christ would have done it with.
This is much easier said than done, so check back to see how
God led me through this process!
