Hello friends! This post is a little late, but I hope that it encourages you as much I was encouraged throughout yesterday. I'm going to share about how I experienced God in times of prayer, stillness, and fellowship.
Thursday was one of the days this week that I really experienced God speaking clearly to me. My teaching class didn't have class in the day time at all yesterday, which allowed us to have a lot of freedom in what we wanted to do that day. As a team, we were able to take some time and go on a prayer walk around the school campus. As I walked and prayed, God really reminded me that education is a blessing, and that school in Thailand is definitely a means of students coming to know Christ. I was reminded that because of education, our team is able to come and work with these students and teach them with what we have been taught in the US. As I continued to walk and pray, God put on my heart to pray for the teachers and administrators that work at Chian Hua, and that they would also come to know Christ and be examples to these students. Lastly, God put on my heart to pray that Thai culture would really bring together the students. From what I've observed, most students aren't bound by religion here, and that Buddhism is more culture than religion. It's really great because these students that are culturally Thai can connect with these students that are Thai and Christian, and that these Christian students see that they aren't restricted by being Thai and can share that with their classmates and friends.
In my times of being still and listening to God, He reminded me to remain joyful throughout the difficult days of this trip. He reminded me that the work we are doing for him here is not in vain, though it may be something small. I saw that these relationships we have and are forming with these students mean a lot to them, and that us working and interacting with them in something to be cherished. He reminded me once again that short term missions is for His long term glory. Building relationships for two short weeks is worth it if it means that these students can see Christ's love in us!
Lastly, I was extremely encouraged and blessed by a conversation I had with Cindy and the devotionals time that Kristy and I had together last night. I share much with these sisters and their hearts for the Thai people encourage me and remind me that God has called us here because we have experienced His love in such great ways. As we reflected on how half of this trip is almost over and how this may be our last trip here, we all shared that we felt that God wasn't exactly closing the doors for FCBC collegians to come back to Thailand. These relationships with the students have reminded us that God really calls us to love the Thai people, and that if God wants us to continue to be in relationship with these students, he will make a way for us to return. I am encouraged that my sisters share the same heart for Thailand, and that it motivates us to make most of our time here with the students, whether we return or not.
I hope that the things I've experienced are a small glimpse at how God is moving in Thailand! God is great and mighty, and He truly holds power here in Thailand. As we have another week here, pray that we will be renewed each day and be able to see God's heart for His people. Also pray that we would know that God's power gives us authority to go and be love, kindness, and compassion for our students. Lastly, pray that God's name would be glorified in everything we do here!
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!" Psalm 115:1 (ESV)
-Joyce
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