Experiences along the way . . .

As I reflect on the past few days I'm in utter amazement at what I've learned, what I've experienced, and how every moment seems to hold something new.  I've never been more thankful for all the people in other countries who have chosen to learn English as their second language.  The language barrier was one of my biggest concerns going into this trip, but it seems everywhere we go, we find someone who speaks English.  A lot of times we'll enter an area ready to greet them with a sawatdee kha, they greet us with a hello - and we continue in English.  We struggle with saying hello in Thai instead of thankyou, and are sometimes given a strange, yet forgiving look. 

Our time in Korat was incredible, worshipping with the Korat Tamar team was so refreshing.  To be able to sing together in two different languages was like none other - to lift up our voices in harmony, yet with different tongues was just beautiful.  We connected with this team like we had been with them for years.  Their heart for the people they minister to was incredibly evident and the time and energy that they pour out to those they serve was incredible to see.Their servants hearts are something to be admired.   

As we went with the Tamar team into the villages we had no idea what we were about to see. At some points I felt like I was walking into a tv screen.

I couldn't believe I was seeing the beauty of these people, the conditions that they were living in first hand.  The peace in a simple home of a lady who at 80 is raising her 2 grandchildren, and who's health herself is poor.  Yet the peace we felt in her home was thick.  We all commented that we could just stay here with her and worship and pray with her.

As we went into the village we were able to walk around the entire village in just a few minutes.  We saw rice fields all around, and rice out to dry as the harvesting had begun.  Throughout what some might call next to nothing were the homes and a community that were living peacefully with what they had.  It was quiet as we walked around.  With some men watching a small tv together, (Lonnie went in to join them to see  the   boxing match.)  A grandmother stirring the rice with her feet as it was laid out on a tarp so that it could dry.  A young mother frantically trying to stay up with her adventurous 2 year old, another grandmother who stayed in the same position for most of our time there.  

Admist the dirt roads, the broken toys and   we saw little stores within their homes that served as their livlihood, a store that sold icecream that was so refreshing in the heat.  Mangos, bananas, limes trees and hot pepper plants could be found throughout the village along with bits of beauty in the flowers here and there.  It wasn't until the children started coming home from school that we saw and heard the joy that was there.  They laughed and delighted in the skittles we gave out, and would be quick to enter into a game created from a water bottle lid or a piece of cement used for chalk or just a small blown up ball.  We all continued the day with lots of laughter as we engaged with the kids.  It was awesome to hear them sing praises to our God and bow their heads in prayer before the meal they shared together.    

    

Another highlight of the evening was the incredible time of prayer we had with a several of the villagers.  To be able to pray over them and share the Father's heart with them was awesome.  I was able to pray for healing for a lady who struggles with allergies in her eyes whenever the wind blows dust into her home, and then found great freedom in worshipping my God while I playing my flute over them as others prayed.  We were able to encourage them in their walk with the God who created each one and tell them of the Love He has for them.  We encouraged them to find out more about it in the Love letter that He left for them.  As they shared their hurts and pains, some physical, some emotional, it was hard to hear the struggles they walk through each day.  Financial struggles, alcoholic problems, health issues, fears for their sons or daughters, or grandhildren, but we know God is holding each one and believe many others from the village will find freedom.  We left them by blessing each one, sharing the hope and fullness that can come only through our Savior.  The joy that we experienced with all of them carried us through to the long, bumpy, car road to Pattaya.  How true we found the "Joy of the Lord being our Strength".

We are so grateful for this opportunity and thank you so much for all the prayers you are lifting up on our behalf.