Reflections on Thailand

Though it’s been several weeks since our trip to Thailand, it’s taken some time for me to process all that happened there for me personally. Here are some thoughts with possibly more to come:

• When I was told that I was supposed to preach in the village church two days out, it became clear I could not rely on my preparation. It was a wake-up call of how much I depend on my preparation more than the Holy Spirit whenever I preach. (In talking to some missionaries, I realize that two days notice is more than what most missionaries get when asked to preach)

• It was foolish of me to think we can go undercover, bust down doors and rescue children firsthand. We can’t and shouldn’t attempt to do anything firsthand because we could totally jeopardize the whole child rescue operation. What we can do however, is support those who are going out, investigating, and risking their lives to rescue these children.

• It was also naive of us to think we could drop in and adopt of village when it literally took an army of ministry school students to trek up the mountain to conduct a two day outreach with us. Natives are best equipped to reach their people but we can definitely equip, encourage and spur them on.

• The reality remains that the gospel alone can save souls. Even if we were to rescue children from trafficking, what good is that if they are still in bondage to sin? (This is why I appreciate ZOE’s commitment to the gospel first and foremost)

• The sense I got this year and last year with ZOE in Thailand was not looking at the missionaries and thinking, “Wow, that can never be me”, but rather, “Why not me?” And that doesn’t mean that the missionaries there are not remarkable people, because they are. What it means is that they are so personal and relatable, they really make you consider whether you could see yourself there serving alongside them.

• Finally, it became clear early on that my role was not to run ahead of the team and wait for them to catch up. It was to come behind them and help each of them catch what God was doing and realize why God had them on this team. To see God move in each of their hearts and witness His work continue to unfold back home is an unspeakable blessing and privilege. (Listen to the Kawashima’s share in “This is going to be an action-packed message!!!” to see what I mean)

This is going to be an Action-Packed Message!!!

Here is the message I shared this past Sunday from James 1:19-25, which includes illustrations from our Thailand Exploration Team with ZOE International and powerful testimonies by Fred and Irene Kawashima.

The song referred to in the message is “Just Another Man” by Timbetold.

Thailand Exploration Team Underway

Our Thailand Exploration Team will be leaving tonight. Check my twitter and our Thailand Team Blog for updates. Thank you to all who have come alongside us in prayer and support. Continue to pray for:

• Travel Mercies to and throughout Thailand
• Good health for all team members
• Connection with ZOE family and villagers
• Team bonding
• Effective witness for Christ
• Discerning God’s plan for Evergreen SGV in Thailand

“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” -Acts 16:10 (NASB)

“Whose life is it anyways?” -Sermon on Human Trafficking in Thailand

On September 26, I was able to address our church family on what I sense should be our perspective on the human trafficking situation in Thailand based on our vision trip there. I thank Pastor Cory for the opportunity to share what the Lord has been putting on my heart for the past year. You can download the message here or listen below.

Here is the video I linked to at the end of the message:

*Be sure to hear Pastor Kenny Wada share on his impressions of Thailand on October 17.

Reflections on Thailand -”God moments”

A week has gone by since we were in Thailand and the times I wasn’t fighting jet lag, I’ve been able to reflect on what God showed us in Thailand. I found myself reading through my blog posts and recalling specific situations in which God revealed Himself to us, what I call “God moments”. This is important because it’s the reason why the four of us went to Thailand as opposed to just finding out what’s happening there through websites, videos or pictures. We wanted God to pave the way for our future ministry in Thailand.

Rare "God Moment" -Head of village is the man in yellow

Thailand Vision Trip Day 8

Day 8 meant bye bye to Chiang Mai. But we spent our last day relaxing at the Horizon Resort, biking through the botanical gardens and swimming in the pool. It was much needed R&R and we appreciate ZOE for getting us the local rate.

Next it was off with the Tang Gang to ZOE where we had lunch with the families. I ate with the worship leader and Bible school staff member who leads outreaches to the hill tribes. He is a soft-spoken man but a powerful leader with a wife and two children with one on the way. It was neat talking story with him and discovering his gift as a worship leader and talking shop about song choice and writing songs.

After we had a ping pong tournament with the kids. I met one boy who had the biggest smile. He literally smiled with his entire face, it was so precious. Seeing him laugh and smile made my day. Playing with all the children and seeing the joy and the love between the children was again very touching. And to think these children were rescued from difficult situations to have this new life in Christ. Amazing.

Missionaries vs. children :)

Thailand Vision Trip Day 7

Sawadeekap! Our prayer has been that we would recognize “God moments”, moments in which God reveals Himself either through a divine orchestration of events or a divine appointment of some sort.

We made our way down the mountain and made a timely break at a gas station, where we chatted with Seurang and Jack about what we have learned thus far from Thailand and the possibilities available. We were recommended to partner with an organization and to not simply dole out money, as is the fault of some churches. We were encouraged to take action in faith and not be afraid about making mistakes. We are blessed to have had Seurang and Jack escort us throughout N. Thailand and share about their experience in ministry!

We finally made our way to ZOE, where we reconvened with Rob and Denise and saw the new building where the ZOE family just moved in a few months ago that Rob helped design. At lunch with the other missionaries, it was neat to see so many people from different backgrounds come together to serve at ZOE. Each of their stories about how they came to ZOE was inspiring, whether it was selling one’s business to heed God’s call to ZOE or finding oneself at ZOE from the recommendation of former missionaries there.

Thailand Vision Trip Day 1 …

After a long flight into Bangkok and then connecting into Chiang Mai, we finally made it into Thailand. We were greeted by Rob Tang and the Tang girls and taken back to our hotel by Becky Mann. After situating ourselves we proceeded to have lunch with Rob Tang, Mike and Becky Mann.

It was neat hearing everybody’s story and how God brought each of us into Thailand. We are very fortunate to have friends in Thailand like the Mann’s and the Tang’s. Regardless of whether we are to partner with either of them and their ministries, we are still blessed to have friends like them who share a similar passion to help combat human trafficking and raise others in the Lord.

Mike Mann of Integrated Tribal Development takes a very preventative approach, getting to the source of the problem as he sees it. This involves identifying hill tribe villages, bringing clean water, proper sanitation, schools, health clinics and ultimately the gospel throughout it all.

Rob Tang of ZOE international is involved in a preventative approach as well, only they are rescuing children as they are put on the market. So in a sense, they are saving them before they are put into human trafficking.

We look forward to viewing both ministries close at hand. Later, we visited a snake camp, monkey exhibition and the night bazaar, although I’ll let Pastor Kenny talk more about it :) Tomorrow we worship with Eiji Osato at a Karen village church I believe.

We appreciate all your prayers and support! Please pray for rest for all of us as we are getting adjusted to the new time zone. Pray that we remain united as one team. Pray that we are be in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Having dinner in Chiang Mai