I didn't realize how desperate I was until I looked down at the meal I had freshly crafted...four pieces of bread each with a mound of peanut butter on it. It was only until afterward that I figured out that I had eaten around 1,200 calories in about 10 minutes. You see I would have gone with the classic PB and J, but unfortunately I was out of jelly. I could have gone the ramen way, but alas I had had about enough of noodles and wanted to take a break from MSG poisoning. I thought about the one egg I had left, but I decide I would save that for a special occasion. Or what about the small portion of cereal that sat waiting for me in the bag...no no, that remains for breakfast. The decision was clear...peanut butter bread, a meal fit for kings (SATIRE ALERT). Lets just say that for this meal I literally needed water to wash it down. I don't know if you've experience the pain of a lump of bread and peanut butter stuck in your throat, but it isn't too much fun. Now don't worry about me, soon I'll be off to buy more supplies and restock my shelves. I just thought I would share this experience with you.
For the past few weeks I have been staying up in the mountains with the villagers at one of the major schools here. I live in a small wooden hut with the moths and geckos that come through the rooftop to visit me at night. The geckos enjoy devouring the moths and then leaving me nice little presents in the morning. In fact one Sunday I got up and went to put on the pants that I had set aside for that day and I discovered a pleasant brown spot where one of the critters left a surprise. I guess it was suggesting I not wear khakis that day, and I took that suggestion to heart and went with jeans.
Up here in the mountains the days are warm with a cool breeze, but as for the mornings and the nights...freezing. Not literally freezing, but when you have to use five blankets plus sleep in your jeans, socks, shirt, coat, and a wool hat, you know its pretty cold. There is no heater or air conditioning here. I wake up to the sounds of motorbikes as the students ride in to start their day at school. I get up around 7:30am, which is late here, everyone else gets up at around 5:30am. I put on...oh wait, I don't have to put on anything, I'm already dressed from head to toe. So, I prepare myself for my classes, eat some cereal, read some scripture, pray to God that I don't make a fool out of myself, unless it makes him look good, and then head out to teach my little kiddos some English. In the morning I teach the kindergarten class and also the high school students. After lunch I am done, at least with the teaching of English. The other activities I do here consist mostly of hanging out with the students, playing soccer and basketball with them, laughing at myself with them, leading in devotions and Bible teaching, harvesting and beating rice, preaching and of course tripping over the same tree root almost everyday (true story).
This place is unlike any place I've ever been. It is cut off from the rest of the world...peaceful and quiet, but also lonely. I am the only foreigner at the school, and the only person who can't speak Thai or Karen, although I learn a little each day. I live by myself and eat by myself except for lunch or when I am invited to eat dinner with the people here. It is hard, harder than anything I've ever done, but it is glorious. Isn't it funny how the hardest things we do in life are usually the most meaningful? Just look at Martin Luther King Junior, the Apostles, or most importantly Jesus. All these men lived hard lives, and almost all of them were killed because of who they were and what they represented. Jesus our lord and savior, our king and friend, lived a life where he was ridiculed and hated and eventually crucified on the very tree he created. These men and Jesus above them all, lived lives of sacrifice and love, lives that were not always easy or comfortable, but they were GLORIOUS. I'm not even close to the level of sacrifice that these men made, I've got a long way to go. But my point is that we need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones and step into action. We need to be willing to follow the lead of God wherever he may take us. It's not always easy, but it is always worth it. I am so glad that God has lead me here to Thailand. If I had not taken that leap of faith and stepped out of my comfort zone I would have never been able to experience the things that I have or impacted the people that I have. So please consider what God is calling you to do. I know not everyone is called to the foreign mission field, but where you are right now, in the job that you have, or whatever you're doing, don't miss out on doing the work of God. Don't miss out on doing hard things that are uncomfortable, but that bear significant weight in eternity.
Ok I’ll stop preaching for a moment. I want you all to know that I love you and I am thankful for your prayers and support. Without you guys this wouldn't be possible. I hope you haven’t forgotten that without Christ I am a weak, foolish, self-centered person and that none of this would be possible without him either. That being said, (Commence preaching) I also hope you realize that If Christ is using someone like me, he can also use someone like you. We do not qualify ourselves for the work of God, but God qualifies us and he can use ANY ONE. I hope you believe that, just check out 1st Corinthians 1:26-31 if you don't. The bottom line is that no one can boast in anything he or she does, because in the end, all good things come from God. Don't believe me...check out James 1:16-18.
Ok now I am officially done preaching. I just want to make it clear that no person should be impressed by me, but only by God who works through me. Much love to you all. let me know if there is anything you want to know specifically and I will try to tell you about it.
