It's easy to be comfortable in America. I think our culture perpetuates the "need" for security. But really, are we ever secure? Is anything or anyone in this world completely dependable? Hope & I had gotten to a stage in our trip where we had gotten comfortable with how God had designed this adventure -- opening doors for us & leading us to connect with established ministries, missionaries, & mission groups. Although we'd nearly abandoned our American "need" for security, we became "too comfortable" with this design -- expecting that He would continue to provide in the same way that He had been. Basically, we began to put God into a box, so He had to teach us a lesson about His nature.
We left Bangkok in a very non-"farang" (foreigner) way... by non-governmental "private" bus. You see, all the coaches were filled due to the New Year holiday. (Even if they celebrate another New Year, that doesn't mean they won't recognize the Roman calendar New Year... any excuse to celebrate.) So we took our chances hopping on a "private" bus from Bangkok's northern bus terminal. We arrived at the bus station to be enveloped into a mass of Thais... Thousands trying to catch buses back home for the holiday. We were the only "farang" there... literally. At first I didn't know if this was normal but when I saw the TV cameras I realized this had to be out of the ordinary. Thus began another unique experience of an almost torturous overnight bus trip up to Udon Thani.
We made it to Udon Thani in time for a short day visit with our friend Pratha, who we had met at the Sports Ministry conference in Pattaya in early Nov. We wish we had more time but our Thai visa was about to run out. Pratha is an amazing leader with incredible passion & vision for his community. His vision involves the development of a sports complex with a Biblical theme-park concept. When visiting his church building, we were able to look over the plans, and he informed us they just celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony the week before. Please pray for wisdom, support & funding as he continues to organize this enormous project.
We were greeted at the Laos border that afternoon by another friend from the Pattaya conference. It was good to see him & hear more details about his incredible story. Unfortunately, our other contacts in Vientiane were out of town for the holidays. Our friend (and only firm contact there) shared his limitations in helping us get involved with the Lao church, because our participation as foreign "missionaries" carries judgments, stigmas and restrictions imposed by the Laos government, which in turn could put Laos believers in jeopardy. This new realization lead to a mix of emotions, including personal disappointment, frustration with the government, and sympathy for the state of persecution in Laos.We were able to have breakfast with our friend's beautiful family, see some of his entrepreneurial projects in progress, meet some of his ministry workers, & catch a ride with a van load of Laos Christians up to Vang Viang.
They were going to a youth camp that we weren't allowed to attend, again due to the sensitivity of the Laos situation... Thus set the theme of our 17-day Laos experience: missing Christian contacts for various reasons and having to be thrown into the mainstream backpacker experience.Now I know most of you would not think this is a bad thing; in fact, you may see it as a way that God gave us a little "vacation" within this mission adventure. But honestly Hope & I wrestled with the feelings of disappointment & frustration. We wanted to have a ministry experience in Laos, not a tourist experience. We expected that God would facilitate better timing with connecting to the 9 connections that had opened up... He had opened the doors but nothing was working out. How could it not be in God's will for us to have a ministry experience in Laos?
During our daily devotions we read a selection in "Our Daily Bread" called "Beware of Open Doors". Although I don't believe that our situation (re: lack of ministry connections in Laos) was a result of our assuming God's will, but it made me start to think about my assumptions of how God reveals His will for us. I decided that instead of putting my energy into feeling disappointed and frustrated, I would put my energy into praying for opportunity.
Two significant lessons came out of this experience. Just as all ministry in Laos (or in any other restrictive country), our ministry began to take on a relational nature... for us, it was with fellow backpackers.
In all our travels no one had ever asked us what "1 Peter 3:15" said (on the top of the business cards we had made before our trip began). While we were in Muang Ngoi (one of the most beautiful places in Laos), we met a bunch of travelers who became our "crew" for a few days. This crew included 2 Israelis women, another American, an Irish, 2 Australian, & a Canadian... none were believers. But the "1 Peter 3:15" led us into a number of conversations in which we shared our faith... "an answer to the reason for the hope in us." Relational ministry, right in front of us.The other lesson was not to limit God's doors of ministry opportunity to established contacts and ministry networks. One day we rented a couple mountain bikes to explore the area just east of Muang Sing -- the northwestern most town in Laos (between China & Myanmar). We planned to ride around, take in the scenery, and maybe visit a couple villages. Upon arriving in a small remote Yao village called Pon Don Than, we heard some singing accompanied by guitar (which wasn't Laos-style music) and a big crowd around the village well. We stopped to observe and try to figure out what was going on. A bunch a kids were getting "baths", some even getting their hair styled, while a young non-native-looking Asian played guitar & sang with a passion. Something was happening here... we could feel the Spirit.
One of the non-village-looking Asians came over and introduced himself in broken English. He explained that they were a team of 6 Koreans here to do "volunteer work". Since Korea has one of the largest percentages of Christians in Asia (30%) most of which sees missions as vital to faith, I asked him if they were missionaries, but I think he may have avoided directly answering me, either because of the persecution in Laos or because he didn't understand. So we continued observing and talking a little to the other Koreans. Even though the songs were in Korean, Hope noticed the English titles in guitarist's praise song book. We wanted to help them serve but we worried about our "farang" faces endangering their ministry so we decided to say our goodbyes, pack up our guilty feelings of uselessness, and be on our way.
At that moment the first guy we spoke to passed a brush to Hope and asked her if she could help de-tangle a young girls' hair who just got a "bath". We were so excited to be invited into serving. I prayed that the accompanying musician would play a praise song that I knew so I could sing along... and the next song was "You Are My All in All". That's when one of the Korean girls turned to us with surprise and asked if we were Christians. They all got so excited and continued to bring us into service with open arms. We ended up spending hours with them -- praying for children, drying them off after their baths, brushing their hair, spending time with their community -- until the team began to pack up their things to move on to another village. They invited us to join them but the village was far away and we were on our rented bikes. We thanked them for including us, gave them our information, took a few pictures, and were on our way.As we ate lunch at the beautiful, quiet Adima cafe/guest house nearby, we reflected on how amazing God really is. Why had we put Him & His ways into a box, otherwise known as our expectations? I thanked and praised Him for connecting us randomly with these Korean brothers & sisters out in the middle of northern Laos. God is the God of the impossible... He had to teach me once again.
Now we are in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, visiting with the amazing Haynes' family. Their story, faith, and open hearts are refreshing our tourist-weary souls. I guess, since God got His point across, He has brought us into this incredible family to nurture our spirit. Thank you, Father.
[Please keep us in your prayers for health -Heather's body seems to be going from one ailment to the next- and for discernment of God's will for us in Hong Kong, New Zealand, & Australia... we're praying for hosts as these countries are significantly more expensive than the first 7 months of our trip. I know He will provide.]
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