24 November 2007

Refinement: avoid or embrace?

Hope & I have been talking a lot about the process of refinement... how challenging & painful it can be, and yet how freeing it is. In fact, it's interesting to think about how restrictive a life of faith might seem to an outsider (and maybe that's why many aren't interested in taking that path), yet after deciding to embrace a life of faith (when you stop running, turn around, seek Christ & begin engaging with Him) the "faithful" experience can be quite liberating... Many of these "rescrictions" are mis-perceived as external & temporal while the freedom through them is internal & eternal... Kind of like the discipline necessary in child-rearing. Hope & I are continually amazed as we listen to story after story of how God personally purifies and uniquely cultivates so many brothers & sisters around the world. Just tonight our new friend Dave poured out his story to us about how God refined his call to do church-planting in Cambodia over the last 14 years. His words spoke to Hope & I personally --reminding us that the process began before we were even formed in our mother's womb (Psalm 139), that the fine-tuning is on-going & life-long, and that His desired outcomes are rarely what we expect or can even fathom. We all have "a call" that we should continually seek afresh each day. In my last posting, I briefly mentioned that we had the privilege of attending a sports conference in Pattaya, Thailand. We were honored to be invited after our time at ISLS in South Africa, and we had been looking forward to it ever since. We are babies in this new family of sports ministry so we weren't sure what to expect... or what kind of reception we would receive into this exclusive, world-wide, leadership conference. For the most part, though, our reception was shockingly warm because we reunited with so many brothers & sisters from all over Africa & India we had met, visited with, and even been hosted by along our journey. We also made some amazing connections with many people who we will be visiting with in the months to come and who we would love to visit & serve with on our next global mission trip. God has designed our trip to have a strong component of networking that He's already using to link the Body together in many ways. I'm so thankful to connect with the YWAM ministries of Pattaya Slum Ministries & the Tamar Center... both incredible lights shining amongst the darkness of this seemingly hopeless city. Pattaya was originally a fishing village changed into resort "R & R" area for soldiers during the Vietnam War. It's "red-light" district compares to the red-light district of Amsterdam, but in many ways it's worse! Supposedly, Pattaya has the biggest sex-trade in the world! The Tamar Center's target is to minister to these workers and try to get them "off the street" by training/employing them in card-making, baking, serving coffee, hair-styling & sewing. I encourage you to look at their website and pray about how you &/or your church, community or club could support them (maybe by selling their cards through your church gift shop or buying beautiful hand-made Thai silk bedding for wedding gifts). We're thankful that God scheduled a divine appointment with Nancy Barkus to be our host for the day... an incredible woman (64-years-young) with a wonderful perspective who also reminded us that God designs all the pieces of the puzzles of our lives to fit together perfectly in His plan. For the couple nights that we stayed in the Pattaya after the sports conference, we were hosted by the dedicated youth workers of the Pattaya Slum Ministries. These Thai ladies were very patient and wonderfully sweet -- allowing us to join them for a couple days of their "after-school" programs. The language barrier posed a challenge, but it didn't stop us from engaging with the kids and praying for many adults in the slum communities. Kiap, Moo & Arrhi shared Thai meals with us (yum!) and helped us coordinate our next travel plans... we're so appreciative of these new friends! [Make sure to check out the rest of our photos via the link to the right.} Over the last week or so, we jumped into the backpackers' scene for the first time in the last 4 1/2 months of traveling. (It's amazing that we've been be in home-stay situations for ALL but 4 days of the first third of our journey!) We were only a bit nervous -- feeling immature because of the lack of our independent experience traveling -- yet we were pleasantly reminded by multiple travelers along the way that we actually DO have a strong "travel-sense" about us... or maybe it's just that we're strong, independent, assertive women, not willing to be taken advantage of. For example, after a nice, relaxing weekend exploring the island of Koh Chang (off the southeast coast of Thailand), we crossed over the corruption-filled, southern-most Thai-Cambodia border (near Krong Koh Kong) and managed to politely & innocently fight for our right to not overpay for our Cambodian visas. (The border officials were angrily adiment about charging people $15 more than it should be, be we got by with saving $10 each.) We finally & successfully crossed the border (visa in hand), and we traveled by bus and over 4 river crossings to spend a few days down at the Cambodian beach-town of Sihanoukville before heading to here to Phnom Penh... It's been a crazy weekend here in the capital because the annual Water Festival brought more than a million Khmer from all over the countryside... but it's worth it to see this side of the people and to be innudated by a contemporary culture celebrating a historical tradition. Along the way (between Pattaya and Phnom Penh), we met some amazing travelers from all kinds of places, including Thailand, Cambodia, Italy, Australia, Israel, Canada, and Sweden (to name a few), and we connected (heart-to-heart) with a Buddhist Thai guy in Koh Chang who owns a MSO (my-self-organization) that distributes & brews organic/free-trade coffee from rural Thailand. After the fun-filled border crossing, we stayed connected with 3 wonderful Swedish ladies -- Jessica, Hannah and Sara, the latter of whom also joined us for a night in Phnom Penh. I will go into more detail about our stay in Cambodia in my next posting. However, suffice it to say (for now) that God has miraculously opened multiple minitry contacts here in Phnom Penh and even a pastor in Siem Reap... many doors opening... it's shouldn't shock me because this has been typical of our adventure thus far AND because as long as we keep pursuing His will & desires for this journey, He will provide (Matt. 6:32).

15 November 2007

a quick intro to SE Asia

We made it to the sports ministry conference and visited 2 YWAM ministries (Pattaya Slum Ministries & the Tamar Center) all in the last week+. Unfortunately I don't have time to write a post/update and I'm really not sure when I'll get a chance.

Hope & I are heading to Ko Chang, an island off the southeast coast of Thailand. We're really excited about getting a little bit or R 'n' R. We feel like we've been going & going: jumping from the packed 'program' of India straight into incredibly spirit-filled conference and then into the amazing ministries working in the crazy, sad, tourist city of Pattaya.

After our time in Ko Chang we are heading into Cambodia via the very most southern point of Thailand... should be an adventure. We'll make our way to Phnom Penh where we have several ministry contacts so we'll hopefully get a taste of what God is doing in Cambodia.

Please keep us in your prayers for continued safety, discernment and minimizing our language barrier. SE Asia is a facinating place. I hope to update soon.

10 November 2007

Indian "Stretchable" Time

How do you wrap up an explosive 6½-week experience in a distinctly rich culture with a complex history, spiritualism & religiosity... an experience that was so perspective-shifting, inspiring, yet overwhelming, humbling, and incredibly educational? I'm not sure that I can answer it, because I'm still processing it all, but for the sake of time (and for finishing this post), I'll just say that I must recommend that all Americans take the opportunity to visit India & figure it out themselves. Although, I know that this might be too much of a challenge for many Americans, but it’s when you aren’t “secure” or comfortable that God refines your character. I would love to bring some of my old Boys & Girls Club kids to visit the slums of India or the townships in South Africa. They would really learn to count their blessings. The last week & a half in India we spent in West Bengal, splitting our time between the “rural” industrial city of Durgapur, its remote villages, and the massive congested city of Kolkata. First, our connection in Durgapur was surprisingly well-established in advance, which is especially unique for this seemingly spontaneous adventure -- thanks to one of my supporting churches (the Cathedral of All Souls), to their Youth Director (one of my best friends, Shawna Gilmore), and to their sister Diocese there. Our first few hours in West Bengal included driving down deserted highways (which is almost completely unheard of in this crowded nation), because a huge strike called off all pubic & highway transportation. We risked taking the highway and ended up being stopped by the strikers out in the middle of nowhere. They threatened to keep us there until 6 pm (when the strike ended), but thankfully they were peaceful protestors. After a short time I boldly joined our host & driver in begging for mercy, and they actually let us go. I guess they felt sorry for this travel-weary foreigner or maybe they wanted to stop me from repeating “please” over and over again... or maybe they just liked my smile. I’m not sure, but we were thankful to be on our way. Our “program” with the Diocese of Durgapur was full, thanks to Bishop Probal kanta Dutta. Some highlights include visiting Shantiniketan (the home of Nobel Prize winner Rabindrenath Tagore), spending time with the children & staff of the Diocese’s Child Study & Development Center, fellowshipping with the incredible staff of the Sarenga Child Development Center (who are doing amazing, holistic work with 180 youth and their families), visiting Diocese’s project out in the small village of Samadhi & the beautiful forest surrounding it, visiting with Lynn who is a missionary from Blowing Rock, WNC, and especially helping to facilitate a Recreation Evangelism Workshop "retreat" with 15+ youth leaders. I must elaborate on this wonderful experience. The Bishop organized a youth retreat around our visit -- bringing together specific youth (ages 17-25) who have surfaced as leaders in various churches throughout the Diocese. I was a little apprehensive about my abilities to lead a 3-day retreat but God worked through me... in spite of me... if that makes any sense. Through fun & games, some powerful lessons & discussions, and the presence of the Spirit, this group was brought together in a supernatural way. In just over 24 hours I felt a kindred spirit with these brothers & sisters, and I think they were inspired to break out of the "preaching mold" and to bring a new recreational element to doing youth ministry. Praise God! After an amazing time in Durgapur, we took our last Indian train ride into Kolkata. Our hosts were yet another sports ministry contact facilitated by our friend Paul Moses. Subir is an Indian, his wife Eunok is Korean, and they are both driven to facilitate an amazing ministry called Good News Children’s Education Mission. Their work includes various Kids Games events all over Kolkata each afternoon, 3 mobile schools for street children that meet every weekday morning, and a boarding school/"hostel" for 150+ boys & girls from the slums or directly recruited from their mobile schools. We visited 2 of the mobile school sights, joined an afternoon of Kids Games, and visited the Hostel at Chandpur, out in the area of Varupur (known for all it's guava trees). It’s inspiring to see how willing Subir & Eunok are to pursue God’s calling by working such long hours. Their dedication to Kingdom work with children inspires me. Our last morning in India we got a small taste of the impact of Mother Teresa's ministry by visiting the Mother House where she is buried, the Missionaries of Charity Children's Home, and the Home for the Sick & Dying. I was particularly humbled by an experience in the women's ward of the Home for the Sick & Dying when I gathered a thin, frail skeleton-of-a-woman in my arms to move her to a new bed. Shouldn't this make me sad or even resentful toward God? No. Instead I felt my heart fill with love and compassion for this woman. I can't cure her or even talk with her due to the language barrier, but I can love her and pray for her. I hope to come back to serve with these incredible sisters one day... God-willing. I'm so thankful for getting a taste of both the new and the old ministries in Kolkata. Our time in India was best characterized as a very "stretching" experience (fitting in with Indian's "Stretchable" Time, or IST). We are now in Pattaya, Thailand, attending the the ACE Sports Ministry Conference where we are reconnecting with friends we've met along our journey and making connections with those we will visit in the months to come. ISC is an incredible network of amazing Christians who seek unity in the Body and all for His glory. I wonder how God will call me to stay involved with this global network of Kingdom-builders. I wonder how God is calling me to implement all that I am learning from this amazing, life-changing experience.