As I sit here and write this, I am sitting in the middle of nowhere Thailand listening to Christmas music. It’s actually not as hot as I thought it would be in Thailand, but it’s definitely not the winter I’m used to either. I feel a little nostalgic. I think about baking Christmas cookies, Christmas music playing in the living room, shopping, decorations, stockings over the fireplace, candles burning, lights strung about trees, candlelight church services. It’s Christmas time… I guess it’s been that time of year since after Thanksgiving, but it does not feel that way at all, but every once in awhile I get a glimpse of the Christmas I know. Like in the Philippines—there were Christmas decorations everywhere and our squad had a Christmas café with coffee, hot cocoa, and Christmas carols; or today—putting on a Christmas program for 400 Thai children.
Amidst these nostalgic thoughts, I’m also thinking about our contacts for this month. Their faith is humbling and inspiring. This is how they talk about how blessed they are. They prayed for a guitar… and after four years they finally were given one. They prayed for a truck… and after many years they finally have one. We’re the first team to use it. They are missionaries in their own country. There are only two other Christian families in their village. They teach English and soccer for free at the schools in the area and in return they are able to speak freely about Christ at the schools. Many times they pray that they will have food to eat and at times they go without, because they don’t have enough money. I don’t write any of this so you feel sorry for them. I write this, because hearing them speak about their faith has touched my heart. I pray that it will encourage you and touch your heart as well. Their joy is incredible and my team and I are so blessed to spend the next three weeks here.
