It has been almost exactly 2 weeks (at 9 pm tonight) since we have been back in the States. I have been putting off this post because I honestly do not even know where to begin. How do you talk about 2 life-changing months in 1 written post on the internet? Yeah, it's hard people, but here I go. (More posts to come... I can't fit it in.)
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Students at the "Farewell Party" for our CCP team...
These are the faces of the girls we spent so much time with all summer! |
As I sit here in a sweet little coffee shop with the musical serenade of "Stand By Me" playing in the background sipping on my hot coffee, I can't help but remember how "uncomfortable" Thailand was at times. The food was sometimes hard to digest (or even eat....) [refer to my hospital post]. The beds weren't quite up to par with my cushiony bed here. The language was a little different (ok, a lot different). And there was very little air conditioning... anywhere. However, as I am sitting here laughing to myself about each of these things, I can't help but praise the Lord for these discomforts.
I learned that I too often run to the comforts of America to satisfy me, when ultimately the satisfaction I should be seeking can only be given from the Lord. So, my challenge to you.... try being uncomfortable sometime and see what the Lord has to show.
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Kathryn, P' Fone, and I at the "Farewell Party"
(Yes, I am throwing random pics from the party to split up this post,
visual effects add so much!) |
Something else I learned was how to do ministry. Granted I am not a professional by any means, but I do feel a lot better about going about sharing my faith. The entire summer was based on doing life-on-life ministry. At times, to be honest, I was frustrated. I wanted to come in with my guns-a-blazin' preachin' the Gospel, but this ministry couldn't have been any farther from that mindset. Throughout the entire summer, our purpose as the CCP was to love the Thai students. That was it. We were there to love the students and help connect them to the Campus Outreach Thai staff members. Yes, we did get to share our faith at times (some more than others), and yes, there were a few students that came to Christ. However, those times would not have even happened without us showing the students how much we loved them.
So, what does that mean for ministry in America? It means that we are called to love people. It means we are called to be intentional. It means that people need to know how much you do care before they will be receptive to anything you say, especially something as huge as the Gospel. I know this is a "lesson" that Campus Outreach has probably been trying to teach me for the last 3 years, but it was finally made clear this summer.
[Disclaimer: I believe that the Lord calls all of us to preach the gospel; however, I also believe that He gives all of us different talents in how to share that sweet message. This "life-on-life ministry" is truly what I feel like I am supposed to do; however, if you feel like you need to go out and preach it guns-a-blazin'.... then so be it! In the end, it's the gospel. And someone may need to hear it that exact way.]
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| I miss this girl so much! Beer! |
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Some more students we spent time with... most of these students
are Sophomores... |
And now lastly, here it comes... how can you, yes you, help Thailand. I know that not all of us are blessed with 2 months to move overseas and do ministry, but there are still ways you can make an impact. First of all, if you are wanting to physically do something, there are ways to give money to support the Thai staff. Remember the stats? 97% of Thais are Buddhist and only 0.7% are Christian. This means that the Thai staff really do not have the resources for support from people in their own country, thus making them rely heavily on Americans to support them.
Here's the deal though, a single Thai staff person lives on about 9,000 baht a month, which is about $300 US dollars. That's it. So, a US dollar goes a long way! If you are interested in giving, contact me, and I can get you in touch with the right people. [e-mail: cmcalist@samford.edu]
I realize that this is a hard time for our country financially and not everyone is able to give, and that is completely okay. This is what I would like to challenge you to do.... Pray. It's that simple. Pray. Pray. Pray. So many times, I know I forget the power of prayer, but it's one of the easiest and probably most effective ways of ministry that gets overlooked way too often. So, that's it. Pray for the students we have met. Pray that their relationships continue to deepen with the CO Thai staff, and that their hearts are open and receptive to the gospel.
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P'Bo and I... She's absolutely amazing.
This is her second year on staff...
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Thank you for all your prayers and support from this summer!
Until next time...
