It is always good to know, if only in passing, charming human beings. It refreshes one like flowers and woods and clear brooks.
Only minor flaw in this quote is "if only in passing." Why not share quality time with charming people that inspire, enlighten, encourage and take your breath away? To say I have met sweet people or kind people would be an understatement. God has put different families and individuals from other Countries, Cultures and backgrounds into my life. They have changed my perspective on life and taught me how to love beyond the boundaries of race and circumstance. These are stories of a couple individuals, families and or groups that have touched my life in a drastic way while living in Asia.
Of course I will start with the Thai people I meet on a daily basis. Their kindness astounds me. Do I occasionally get frustrated when trying to communicate? Yes. Do I get frustrated when I cannot locate certain things I am in need of? Yes. But ultimately this experience has taught me how to live a life not of ease but of thankfulness and admiration of people around me with so little that continue to praise God regardless.
Many people ask me why I would ever want to live in a third world country and why Asia. But God has given me a desire to see the Asian Buddhist community come to know Christ. When I read Joshua 24:15 I think immediately of the Thai/Asian culture:
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Most Buddhist are simply Buddhist or call themselves such because they are worshiping the gods of their fathers (generational). But they lack one important thing: relationship. Christianity is not just a religion because religion is a manmade system and refers only to rules, laws and or ritualistic behavior but to live in Christ and with Christ we have a relationship with Him. We do not deserve eternity with Christ and therefor it is not a merit based system. There will never be enough that we can do to reach heaven. Jesus' sacrifice and his grace, that is freely given, allow us to have a relationship with him. This is what makes us different from Muslim or Buddhist. They are merit based and ,erely ritualistic. Unfortunetly, some "christians" in the states proclaim but do not bear the fruits or know Christ outside of religion and laws.
My desire is for those that are searching for more and looking for Hope to come to know that God designed them to have that Hope and unconditional love that only he can give. I not only have a heart for Thai people but when visiting Vietnam and Cambodia I met kind people that were so happy just to be alive. Did they have lots of money and shiney things? No. Most of them barely get along. But they were always positive and uplifting. Remember wordly riches will parish so store up your riches in heaven!
Lights of the world: Children
I have had the privilege to meet and see God work through many leaders and volunteers. I have had the opportunity to let God use me a messanger/delivery woman asn well. But where was the honor? In saying I did good works or good deeds? No, it is not by merit that we are able to enter the kingdom of God. But it has been meeting these children and developing relationships with them and interacting with them that has been the benefit. The children I see and get to work with will forever hold a special place in my heart and have changed my life forever. These children have absolutely nothing. From children that live in the slums, to children that are orphaned by human parents yes, but not orphaned at all actually because they have a Heavenly Father whose love is UNconditional and NEVER changing. What better love is there? There is None. I have had the opportunity to spend time with children that have HIV and are very sick. But the love and light of Christ burns so much inside of them that it burst out for all to see. Not only was I thankful beyond measure and humbled but I know now what it truly means to Trust and Love God no matter what the situation or trial may be. It puts things into perspective when you get outside of yourself and your own problems and see how SMALL your "trials" and "problems" actually are. These children have and continue to be such a blessing to me and I see God all over them. I am humbled daily.
One child in particular: I meet many children and fall in love with them instantly but one boy at BanNokkammin caught my eye and my heart as I walked into the orphanage the first day. This orphanage is bursting with love for one another and focuses on the most important thing--God's Love and Grace:) The children at the orphanageand those that run the orphanage, including the foster parents, have developed a close nit family like environment and I have been so blessed to be able to watch and be a part of it. Kingston is his name and playing is his game. Kingston is a 5 year old boy at the orphanage who is very new to BanNokkammin. He arrived just last year and tends to be picked on some here and there because he is the new guy. He is very shy and timid but once you get him laughing and playing he doesn't want to stop. He was given up by his mother and more than likely has never seen his dad. He is the most beautiful little boy. His mixture of Nigerian features and Thai features makes him so unique and beautiful.
I had the privilege of meeting a Japanese family through one of my good friends Holly. Holly taught Sato English and Sato invited her along with 2 other men that helped teach her at the school over for dinner. I was lucky enough to get the plus one from Holly! Sato and her hubby Hedika had over 2 other Japanese couples and they were all in the kitchen cooking up a storm when we arrived. Seeing their hospitality and genuine concern for our comfort was such a blessing. They have so much character and are so selfless. We insisted they sit and eat but they stayed in the kitchen cooking more and more food and bringing it to us to eat. Not only was I able to learn about and eat lots of delicious Japanese cuisine but I was able to learn about Japan and customs and traditions that differ or are somewhat similar to my own. Meeting people from other areas of the world is so enriching. Japanese are known for their compassion and their kind hearts. I need and want more Japanese friends;)
The pleasure is all mine...Supporting a refugee family and hearing about them is one thing. But to go to their home and spend quality time with them is another. And when I say the pleasure was all mine, I mean it. These two families live in 2 rooms that have 1 bathroom. All together there are 10 people in 2 small rooms. These refugee families had to flee from Sri Lanka because whatever religion the Prime Minister is the rest of the country must be as well. The prime minister is Buddhist and unlike in Thailand, they are very oppressive and violent towards anyone not Buddhist. These two families are predominately Christian. One family, the one we spent most of our time with, had lost their father 10 years ago. He went to work and never returned. They continue to pray he will return and be able to find them. The rest of the family had to flee after the government became more oppressive. They have been living in Thailand for three years now and can only attend school one day a week and must stay in the confines of their home. I talked with one of the teenage girls who speaks good English and I asked her how she stays so happy all the time. "What is your secret?" She replied that "God is their Hope and that he gives them joy regardless." WOW what an inspiration. The things I complain about...the Sri Lankan food was amazing and I even got some beautiful body art that Sri Lankan people do for celebrations and big events.
