Challenges

Submitted by Amber, November 21, 2016

Photo by Bria

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Traditional Thai Greeting

Five days after arriving in Bangkapi, Sarah and I departed for Ladkrabang to teach at another Santisuk school on the outskirts of Bangkok. Though we don’t have malls or any of the comforts of home, God has showed us that He is the true and only source of our joy and hope; circumstances change, but He stays the same. Recently we were reminded of the song “Heart of Worship” by Michael W. Smith. The lyrics are so powerful:

           

“When the music fades and all is stripped away,

            and I simply come

            Longing just to bring something that’s of worth

            that will bless Your heart.

I’ll bring You more than a song

For a song in itself is not what You have required

You search much deeper within, and through the way things appear

You’re looking into my heart.

            I’m coming back to the heart of worship,

            and it’s all about You

            It’s all about You, Jesus

            I’m sorry Lord for the thing I made it,

            When it’s all about You, all about You, Jesus”

Everything familiar and comfortable has been stripped away, but we are able to simply come and worship Him with our lives—because it is all about Jesus, not us.

The cultural and language barriers make it difficult to form deep relationships with the people here, but God shows us day after day that anything is possible. As I teach I can see a hunger in my students for truth. All of them are Buddhist, so Jesus is totally new to them. It has increased my joy in my faith because I am reminded of when I was a new believer and so in love with Jesus. I can see how good the News is that we are bringing of God’s love and sacrifice as I share with them. Also, God has opened my eyes to see that the prayers we pray for my students are being answered—their hunger and interest in Jesus can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. However, even though there are many opportunities to share and my students are curious, there are many barriers to becoming a Christian here. Leaving Buddhism means turning their backs on their cultural identity, family, and friends. The cost of following Jesus is high, so please pray that they would see that He is worth it.

Even though I am reminded of the power of the gospel here, Sarah and I have also felt very tested. It is tempting to give up hope, but as we rely on Christ we grow closer to Him and are able to overcome through His power. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” As we finish up our last full week here, please be praying that we would walk in that truth—that we would not lose heart, but be renewed day by day as we put our hope in Eternal Glory. God is moving here, and I am hoping and praying to see fruit in Ladkrabang!