Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Welcome to my office...
On this fine Tuesday afternoon, I find myself swamped with beverages, memo pads and sticky notes. Haha.
Also, my Bible, Cell, Biblical History book and voice of the martyrs magazine.
<3 Chey
Also, my Bible, Cell, Biblical History book and voice of the martyrs magazine.
<3 Chey
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A foggy day....
So- I love this poster I found. "A Foggy Day in London town".
The reasons being 1) It is a beautiful photograph. 2) The flying birds are captivating. 3) It is SO foggy and beautiful here in the Northwoods this morning!
I love it,
Spring has come.
<3 Chey
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Visionary=Visionary.
I've now been back in the good ol' USA for over a week.
SO BUSY.
I apologize.
The 2010-11 Discipleship Training School class has now been graduated. :) [Great job, guys. I love you all!]
And I have found myself in meetings about what this year's DTS will look like.
It's a hard gear to switch, let me tell you.
BUT- this week is my week off.
To recoup and get on track for the busy spring.
*also, to let you all know in a nutshell what happened in Thailand this year!
The new believers in Thailand are still so heavy on my heart- sometimes it doesn't feel like reality, jumping back into the work here!
But God is so good. I sit here, on a Monday afternoon in a classy little cafe'. As I listen to the talk around me I determine that the delicately grey woman in the corner must be Mung. It's refreshing to hear someone speaking another language. I'm reminded how only just over a week ago I was in Thailand. It seems so distant now. Not just held apart from me by the ocean and landmass barricades, but by this nagging feeling inside of me.
I reach up and touch my necklaces. There are 3. The first, from my dear LaMud, that persevering saint of a 13 year old. My heart breaks with love for her. She reminds me of my sister, Josey.
The next necklace, a simple black cord. No ornaments on it, from Urt. A 10 year old Evangelist I left in charge of a Bible study group. Urt loves to dance.
And the last, an army tag style cross. This one is from a bungle of 2nd graders I taught, who are so vulnerable and precious. "Prat Jesu!" they told me as they put it around my neck. *Beaming* because they knew His name and the knew how much I loved Him.
I'm unashamed to cry here in this little cafe'. If there's one thing I learned, it's that I must share my heart with everyone. Even with the bearded man eating a cajun chicken panini across from me.
I pause and take a warm sip of my Latte' Miel. "It's good to have real coffee" I think.
On my lap to one side of this overstuffed chair lays a book I am reading, "The Lessons of St Francis".
St. Francis. Such a simple man. I want to know the joys of simplicity like him. To hear God in everything. And also, what makes a Saint a Saint? So many thoughts!
Everything is so complex here. No wonder people can't hear God anymore!
On the other side of my lap is my black Bible, worn from it's traveling but oh-so beautiful.
And I think to myself "This is it!". This is what it's all about. The Gospel of Christ, the Word of God! His words on earth. How privileged am I to hold this in my hand. I'm crying again.
But, a new fervor has risen in my heart. This book I have can save that bearded man's marriage, it could turn his life around. No, my job isn't over. My mission has only begun. Yes, Lord! I pray. Send me back to my dear Thai disciples any day. But above all, Christ, let me know this book! After all, in it are the words of life, right? My mood decidedly lightens as I realize I had looked away from life's center.
TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.
The shock and awe of coming home again has taken it's tiring toll. But the rebound has come. I will fight sin until the day I die. Whether I am here, working at YWAM Northwoods with fellow followers, or with a church of new Thai converts full of fire and passion. Or even if I work at walmart someday helping people who have empty souls. Lost sight of my goal? May it never be!
I sit here and praise God for the things He has done. And not only that, but the things He will do.
I am ready now to walk out the door and hear the little bell above it ring. But I feel different then when I came in. I am walking out unto my mission field. And that little bell is praising the Lord.
SO BUSY.
I apologize.
The 2010-11 Discipleship Training School class has now been graduated. :) [Great job, guys. I love you all!]
And I have found myself in meetings about what this year's DTS will look like.
It's a hard gear to switch, let me tell you.
BUT- this week is my week off.
To recoup and get on track for the busy spring.
*also, to let you all know in a nutshell what happened in Thailand this year!
The new believers in Thailand are still so heavy on my heart- sometimes it doesn't feel like reality, jumping back into the work here!
But God is so good. I sit here, on a Monday afternoon in a classy little cafe'. As I listen to the talk around me I determine that the delicately grey woman in the corner must be Mung. It's refreshing to hear someone speaking another language. I'm reminded how only just over a week ago I was in Thailand. It seems so distant now. Not just held apart from me by the ocean and landmass barricades, but by this nagging feeling inside of me.
I reach up and touch my necklaces. There are 3. The first, from my dear LaMud, that persevering saint of a 13 year old. My heart breaks with love for her. She reminds me of my sister, Josey.
The next necklace, a simple black cord. No ornaments on it, from Urt. A 10 year old Evangelist I left in charge of a Bible study group. Urt loves to dance.
And the last, an army tag style cross. This one is from a bungle of 2nd graders I taught, who are so vulnerable and precious. "Prat Jesu!" they told me as they put it around my neck. *Beaming* because they knew His name and the knew how much I loved Him.
I'm unashamed to cry here in this little cafe'. If there's one thing I learned, it's that I must share my heart with everyone. Even with the bearded man eating a cajun chicken panini across from me.
I pause and take a warm sip of my Latte' Miel. "It's good to have real coffee" I think.
On my lap to one side of this overstuffed chair lays a book I am reading, "The Lessons of St Francis".
St. Francis. Such a simple man. I want to know the joys of simplicity like him. To hear God in everything. And also, what makes a Saint a Saint? So many thoughts!
Everything is so complex here. No wonder people can't hear God anymore!
On the other side of my lap is my black Bible, worn from it's traveling but oh-so beautiful.
And I think to myself "This is it!". This is what it's all about. The Gospel of Christ, the Word of God! His words on earth. How privileged am I to hold this in my hand. I'm crying again.
But, a new fervor has risen in my heart. This book I have can save that bearded man's marriage, it could turn his life around. No, my job isn't over. My mission has only begun. Yes, Lord! I pray. Send me back to my dear Thai disciples any day. But above all, Christ, let me know this book! After all, in it are the words of life, right? My mood decidedly lightens as I realize I had looked away from life's center.
TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.
The shock and awe of coming home again has taken it's tiring toll. But the rebound has come. I will fight sin until the day I die. Whether I am here, working at YWAM Northwoods with fellow followers, or with a church of new Thai converts full of fire and passion. Or even if I work at walmart someday helping people who have empty souls. Lost sight of my goal? May it never be!
I sit here and praise God for the things He has done. And not only that, but the things He will do.
I am ready now to walk out the door and hear the little bell above it ring. But I feel different then when I came in. I am walking out unto my mission field. And that little bell is praising the Lord.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Ahhhhhhhh!!! Whew....
Hey everybody,
So much has ben happening since my last e-mail. I haven't had internet access for awhile- so, I will do my best to sumarize it all for you!
Exciting news!
La Mud has been healed and healthy ever since we prayed for her. She has not missed another day of school. Much of her memory has come back.
She has re-given her life to Christ (since she couldn't remeber much) and is actively studying Scripture. And so. all of the ground that Satan attemped to take away- God has ained again, plus some! We are continually invited into her home and I have a great friendship with her Mom now. Her family even asked if next year we would consider staying at their home. And so. we (and of course, Lamud) are praying for the Salvation of her whole family. They are very open.
Urt! Urt is a 4th grade boy (one of Luke's students) who came to our friend Taa (and translator) and asked two weeks ago to hear about Jesus. At the time Taa was very busy with other ministry and told him "If you want to know about Jesus, come back tomorrow and I will tell you". Urt cam back the next day urgently wanting to know about this Jesus.
Taa was able to share the Gospel with him, and Urt ate it up. He said wanted to follow Jesus too.
Urt is a sponge! Every chance he gets to be taught more Scripture, he takes.
He undersatnds concepts in the Word that can only be from the Holy Spirit. The continually tells the other students that God is the only God. The other day he even explained the Trinity to them. He has an unstoppable faith.
Urt & LaMud. So- these two have a genuine and growing faith. And what has spun off of their commitment to Christ has been incredible.
Two of the girls students (5th grade) who would come visit us last year were 2 that claimed Buddhism hardcore. They would accompany Lamud to study the Bible with us but never wanted to believe in Jesus. A week and a half ago one of the girls, Bebe, wanted to join our Bible study and said that she had become a Christian and wants to study more about Jesus with Lamud and Urt. Urt told a friend, Pawn, about the Savior and now she has come to Christ and is a regular studying with us. The other of the two girls, PIm, has had a difficult time with it- since her parents are devout Buddhist. She asked Oh "What if my parents stay Buddhist? I cant be both can I?" and Pi Oh said "No, you have to choose what is the truth" and Pim responed "I choose Jesus." - Thank you, Lord! She is now studying the Bible everyday with us.
Urt is a leader- he leads up a lot of the discussions in our studies and loves to read and pray. He told two of his friends last week, Bob and Sam, about Jesus and invited them to the study- where they too gave their lives to Christ. He has even started (his own idea) leading guys bible studies wth those 2 at his house after our Bible Study gets done for the day. They can't get enough! Along with those kids are Yam and Gip- 2 more girls who desire to follow Jesus.
We have been studying with those 9 everyday for a couple weeks or so. We meet everyday during school lunch break, and everday after school as well.
Lamud is very involved and often busy after school, and so we study in the evening as well. Which has opened up huge doors into their homes! Urt invitd us to his parents home for a ible Study a few days ago- his parents were thrilled to meet us and satyed to listen to the whole thing (we were studying the temptaion of Jesus in the wilderness).
Afterwards Urt's Mom asked me to share the entire story of Jesus with them! It was amazing! Doors are just flying open left and right.
After that visit we have been invited to hold Bible Studies in their home as often as we want. Um.... amazing? I think yes. Urt has his Dad reading the Bible now.
And so, the Gospel is spreading through the village through a handful of Pre-teens!
Please pray for them!
Yesterday they just couldn't get enough and so, even though I was exhausted from teaching English, we studied the Word for two hours! (After studying for an hour during lunch.)
They asked more about prayer, and we ended up splitting up into groups of two and praying for each other. It was great to see all of these Young Disciples praying for each other in the name of Jesus. And so, what I wasn't initiallu "feeling up for" ended up being my energy to excite me! JUst shows that God really is our daily bread. :P
Kru Nung has been studying the Bible as well! Nicette has been practically living at her house the last two weeks, and I think God is really getting ahole of Nung's hearty.
I's great stuff!
Pray for my heart as we prepare to leave next week. It's breaking to think about it.
My students yesterday ended class by begging me not to go back to America.
Pray about God's timing for my return as well.
I love you all!
Chey
So much has ben happening since my last e-mail. I haven't had internet access for awhile- so, I will do my best to sumarize it all for you!
Exciting news!
La Mud has been healed and healthy ever since we prayed for her. She has not missed another day of school. Much of her memory has come back.
She has re-given her life to Christ (since she couldn't remeber much) and is actively studying Scripture. And so. all of the ground that Satan attemped to take away- God has ained again, plus some! We are continually invited into her home and I have a great friendship with her Mom now. Her family even asked if next year we would consider staying at their home. And so. we (and of course, Lamud) are praying for the Salvation of her whole family. They are very open.
Urt! Urt is a 4th grade boy (one of Luke's students) who came to our friend Taa (and translator) and asked two weeks ago to hear about Jesus. At the time Taa was very busy with other ministry and told him "If you want to know about Jesus, come back tomorrow and I will tell you". Urt cam back the next day urgently wanting to know about this Jesus.
Taa was able to share the Gospel with him, and Urt ate it up. He said wanted to follow Jesus too.
Urt is a sponge! Every chance he gets to be taught more Scripture, he takes.
He undersatnds concepts in the Word that can only be from the Holy Spirit. The continually tells the other students that God is the only God. The other day he even explained the Trinity to them. He has an unstoppable faith.
Urt & LaMud. So- these two have a genuine and growing faith. And what has spun off of their commitment to Christ has been incredible.
Two of the girls students (5th grade) who would come visit us last year were 2 that claimed Buddhism hardcore. They would accompany Lamud to study the Bible with us but never wanted to believe in Jesus. A week and a half ago one of the girls, Bebe, wanted to join our Bible study and said that she had become a Christian and wants to study more about Jesus with Lamud and Urt. Urt told a friend, Pawn, about the Savior and now she has come to Christ and is a regular studying with us. The other of the two girls, PIm, has had a difficult time with it- since her parents are devout Buddhist. She asked Oh "What if my parents stay Buddhist? I cant be both can I?" and Pi Oh said "No, you have to choose what is the truth" and Pim responed "I choose Jesus." - Thank you, Lord! She is now studying the Bible everyday with us.
Urt is a leader- he leads up a lot of the discussions in our studies and loves to read and pray. He told two of his friends last week, Bob and Sam, about Jesus and invited them to the study- where they too gave their lives to Christ. He has even started (his own idea) leading guys bible studies wth those 2 at his house after our Bible Study gets done for the day. They can't get enough! Along with those kids are Yam and Gip- 2 more girls who desire to follow Jesus.
We have been studying with those 9 everyday for a couple weeks or so. We meet everyday during school lunch break, and everday after school as well.
Lamud is very involved and often busy after school, and so we study in the evening as well. Which has opened up huge doors into their homes! Urt invitd us to his parents home for a ible Study a few days ago- his parents were thrilled to meet us and satyed to listen to the whole thing (we were studying the temptaion of Jesus in the wilderness).
Afterwards Urt's Mom asked me to share the entire story of Jesus with them! It was amazing! Doors are just flying open left and right.
After that visit we have been invited to hold Bible Studies in their home as often as we want. Um.... amazing? I think yes. Urt has his Dad reading the Bible now.
And so, the Gospel is spreading through the village through a handful of Pre-teens!
Please pray for them!
Yesterday they just couldn't get enough and so, even though I was exhausted from teaching English, we studied the Word for two hours! (After studying for an hour during lunch.)
They asked more about prayer, and we ended up splitting up into groups of two and praying for each other. It was great to see all of these Young Disciples praying for each other in the name of Jesus. And so, what I wasn't initiallu "feeling up for" ended up being my energy to excite me! JUst shows that God really is our daily bread. :P
Kru Nung has been studying the Bible as well! Nicette has been practically living at her house the last two weeks, and I think God is really getting ahole of Nung's hearty.
I's great stuff!
Pray for my heart as we prepare to leave next week. It's breaking to think about it.
My students yesterday ended class by begging me not to go back to America.
Pray about God's timing for my return as well.
I love you all!
Chey
Friday, January 14, 2011
Hey all!
ONE WEEK IN NAHONG. :)
Thailand is going good. It is insane how much we have been doing in just one week. God is opening up doors relationally left and right. We are building a great relationship with Kru Ew and PI Laad (who helps her cook during the week). This week Tom and Taa were able to begin sharing the Gospel with Ew- her curiousiity is very peaked and seh is searcing! Praise God. Pray that her fears wouldn't keep her from giving her life to Christ- pray also that we would be able to share with her husnbd and that he would be recptive. He has been hanging out with us and getting to know us this year- which is amazing (as he was usually very scarce).
On the flipside, I am super upset. PRAY. LaMud *if you don't remeber the story of Lamud- you can read it in an old note or blog post* (http://www.opennahong.blogspot.com/) hasn't been in school basically the entire time we've been here- people told us she was sick and that she has memory loss, severe headaches and stomach problems. And so we haven't been able to connect with her and see how she is doing in her walk with God- she was very very on fire when we left last Februaury.Yesterday Joanna and I decided to hunt her down and find out where she lived with Pi Taa (our translator). When we got there she was just holding her head in her hands in pain. She can't remember anything- she can't remember us and she cant remember giving her life to Christ! She said the only way she remembers that she had a close friendship with us was through Bu and Pim telling her and reminding her of stories (like, when she would bring them for Bible studies to our house). Her aprents have been taking her to temples and "wise men" to find out "what's wrong". Lamud said they told her she was possesed by an evil spirit while she was with us last year- that it was a ghost controlling her body when she was friends with us- and now this is the real her. She sadi she believes them because they told her things about her life that tey could not have known. It is scary. I have never experienced anything like this- she has replaced her cross necklace with buddhist ones. She said she found that Study guide to the N.T. I had Beir translate for her- she couldn't remember who it was from of where she got it. I said "Lumud, I gave that to you". She didn't remember. I wanted to puke the whole time. This is what satan does when we leave! he tries to destroy the fruit! But he will not take Lamud! We are praying hardcore for a strategy to take her back. Otherwise, I think she will continue to get worse- she's on the road to death. My heart hrts so much- this little girl I discipled is being tormented by evil. I hate this! So- please pray for her hardcore. I still believe she could be the key to Nahong- pray for her freedom and memory gain!Pass it on too- we need the Saints to be praying hardcore. So-yes. On one hand ministry is going amazing. We have been getting to share with Kru Ew and know the teachers so well. Teaching has been just blessed- it is so professional and taking root this year in the students amazingly. But this was a hardblow. BUT- satan has already been defteated trhough the blood of Christ! I am in pissed off mode. Pray for me (and the team) as we are opening ourselves up to some crazy hand to hand combat :P It's so dark here- the enemy is getting desperate as the time draws nearer for Nahong to be free. And ,y heart is broken for LaMud- I have cried so much over this but I will not grieve! Because I am convinced our Lord will redeem her. Pray for her aprents to come to Christ as well- as they are the ones who want to "help" their daughter, not knowing what they are worhsipping and bringing upon her. We all have one ting in common- we want to see her well. Pray that tthat would be a bridge for us to know her parents. that they would find the Truth hidden in Christ alone!
Much love to you all!
Press on,
Chey.
Thailand is going good. It is insane how much we have been doing in just one week. God is opening up doors relationally left and right. We are building a great relationship with Kru Ew and PI Laad (who helps her cook during the week). This week Tom and Taa were able to begin sharing the Gospel with Ew- her curiousiity is very peaked and seh is searcing! Praise God. Pray that her fears wouldn't keep her from giving her life to Christ- pray also that we would be able to share with her husnbd and that he would be recptive. He has been hanging out with us and getting to know us this year- which is amazing (as he was usually very scarce).
On the flipside, I am super upset. PRAY. LaMud *if you don't remeber the story of Lamud- you can read it in an old note or blog post* (http://www.opennahong.blogspot.com/) hasn't been in school basically the entire time we've been here- people told us she was sick and that she has memory loss, severe headaches and stomach problems. And so we haven't been able to connect with her and see how she is doing in her walk with God- she was very very on fire when we left last Februaury.Yesterday Joanna and I decided to hunt her down and find out where she lived with Pi Taa (our translator). When we got there she was just holding her head in her hands in pain. She can't remember anything- she can't remember us and she cant remember giving her life to Christ! She said the only way she remembers that she had a close friendship with us was through Bu and Pim telling her and reminding her of stories (like, when she would bring them for Bible studies to our house). Her aprents have been taking her to temples and "wise men" to find out "what's wrong". Lamud said they told her she was possesed by an evil spirit while she was with us last year- that it was a ghost controlling her body when she was friends with us- and now this is the real her. She sadi she believes them because they told her things about her life that tey could not have known. It is scary. I have never experienced anything like this- she has replaced her cross necklace with buddhist ones. She said she found that Study guide to the N.T. I had Beir translate for her- she couldn't remember who it was from of where she got it. I said "Lumud, I gave that to you". She didn't remember. I wanted to puke the whole time. This is what satan does when we leave! he tries to destroy the fruit! But he will not take Lamud! We are praying hardcore for a strategy to take her back. Otherwise, I think she will continue to get worse- she's on the road to death. My heart hrts so much- this little girl I discipled is being tormented by evil. I hate this! So- please pray for her hardcore. I still believe she could be the key to Nahong- pray for her freedom and memory gain!Pass it on too- we need the Saints to be praying hardcore. So-yes. On one hand ministry is going amazing. We have been getting to share with Kru Ew and know the teachers so well. Teaching has been just blessed- it is so professional and taking root this year in the students amazingly. But this was a hardblow. BUT- satan has already been defteated trhough the blood of Christ! I am in pissed off mode. Pray for me (and the team) as we are opening ourselves up to some crazy hand to hand combat :P It's so dark here- the enemy is getting desperate as the time draws nearer for Nahong to be free. And ,y heart is broken for LaMud- I have cried so much over this but I will not grieve! Because I am convinced our Lord will redeem her. Pray for her aprents to come to Christ as well- as they are the ones who want to "help" their daughter, not knowing what they are worhsipping and bringing upon her. We all have one ting in common- we want to see her well. Pray that tthat would be a bridge for us to know her parents. that they would find the Truth hidden in Christ alone!
Much love to you all!
Press on,
Chey.
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