I learned much last night. A father and his two daughters came and were soon enveloped into the Karen community. Smiles and wide open eyes that have seen little but a jungle village and refugee camp now beheld the new sights of a large airport. They nervously giggled about the size of the people. They had never before seen fat people. We collected their things- a small rice bag of items for each person. This was their new home and they brought with them their dearest things, their only possessions.

I explained how to get on an escalator so we could get out of the airport. Since they did not speak Thai this was mostly done in charades. They also don’t speak English. I could only imagine the days that are ahead of these dear people. Navigating in our complex society trying to get established, registered for school, paper work completed and find jobs has to feel nearly impossible.

As I drove I-35E north, their noses were pressed against the car window as they saw for the first time the high rising buildings, the traffic, and the lights. Weariness was settling in as we reached their apartment- their new home. Many people had gathered to welcome them with a KaRen meal. They were home.

As I drove away I was impacted with the privilege it was to experience this. I thanked God for the opportunity. I asked him to walk closely with my new friends as they adjusted to the States. That He would be their protector and provider of all that they needed. Then I could hear a whisper in my heart… “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink…, I was hungry and you gave me food, …I was naked and you gave me clothes…”.

After discovering a local Christian bookstore I purchased a highly recommended book. It is called “The Hole in our Gospel” authored by Richard Stearns. It seems an excellent book, relevant for every church member to read. I have only read the first part, there are four parts to go. But after all, I just purchased this book yesterday and I’m one busy lady! It will challenge you to the core. I promise.

On Sunday I have a test. I need to know the complete KaRen alphabet as well as the numbers 1-10. I really want to do well. I know it is good for me to know how to read and write KaRen, but I seem to have acquired a save-face thing. I don’t want to flunk when the other 70 students pass. They are a whole generation younger than me. But I’m not using that as an excuse.
Please pray that I can learn quickly and remember when I need to know it!

If you want to learn with me you are most welcome. One is der. Two is kee. Three is thir and four is lewee. Five is yer. There you go- you and I can learn together.

I had a sad conversation today. A young girl who lived next door to the people I stayed with, died. She was so young. She had respiratory illness. This is all too common among the women and their children. KaRen villagers cook everything indoors so the smoke of their cookfire causes illness. This was a preventable death. I am very frustrated with the time it is taking to raise my funds to return. As I was driving into work today I was having a conversation with God about it. I felt he said to me, tell her story.

So you saw her picture in this post. She was only about 5 years old. She loved to have her fingernails painted and dress up. She was no different than my daughter, or perhaps yours. But she is no longer. My comfort comes from knowing she knew Jesus. Many small children are dying everyday in villages where they have not yet heard the name of Jesus. This is a far greater tragedy. However I maintain that when Jesus spoke in John 10:10 he did so that we are compelled to help people to live a full time. Not die when they are 5. Please pray for comfort for their family. Pray for things to change. Pray I can return to my work on the border.

Thank you for praying.
JJ

Meanwhile, I go from church to church to tell people about the KaRen people. How they are victims of genocide at the hand of their own government. Men, women and children killed for their ethnicity and their Christianity. Many people seem unmoved in their response. Maybe it just seems too unreal or too far away to be effective in making some sort of change in the situation.

We are never too far away to pray. In the book of Jonah it speaks of how God is everywhere. There is no place we can go that would distance from Him. I really believe and trust God for a change for the KaRen people in Burma and on the border. I know that God is more than able to answer my prayers for protection and provision for the refugees. And I know that people have more value than cows. So lets join together and pray for the KaRen people. And treat cows humanely. But cows are not people, too.

I am in the midst of this season of raising funds. It has, some days, been very discouraging and some days very exciting. One thing is for certain. I am learning much. I am meeting so many new people, learning so many new names, driving to places I have never been before. But more than that, I am praying with an expectation that God will tell me where to go. Who to meet with. What church to contact next.

I was on my way to Thailand last week. In my mind I was ready to go. There was an urgency. I packed my bag. And then I got sick. Now I am having tests at Mayo Clinic next week to see what is wrong. At first I felt so disheartened to not be able to go to Thailand and meet with the people I am working with. I felt prevented. Frustrated. It shocked me how quickly I felt that my plans were being thwarted.

I took a day to seek God. He assured me I was in His plan. My listening ears are on. I am looking to His direction.

Praise God with me that I am 25% supported. Listening has brought blessing. How about you? Are your listening ears on?

I just finished attending a class on contextualization at Bethel Seminary. If you don’t know what contextualization is I want to empower you- look it up in a dictionary. It is a critical issue when cross-culturally teaching or preaching. I know that it can be badly done. I have heard preachers come from the States to Thailand and use sermon illustrations that are totally irrelevant to the people or culture. One was hilarious- the preacher talked about using appliances in a village where there wasn’t any electricity and the poverty level of the church he preached to would have clearly sent the message that they did not have appliances.

I once read a paper online that stated that missionaries were decimating the hill-tribe peoples’ culture faster than Thai society could. That thought made me shudder and I have to admit that as I concluded this class on contextualization, that I do not want to be contributing to this destruction of the K’s culture.

Another perspective was that by importing western teaching it will erode or affect change. I know just from living in the village that my presence on a daily basis was causing a change. I am teaching constantly even if I am not in a classroom. The way I did things were constantly being watched, filtered and examined. Now this can be a positive change, like washing hands to control disease or filtering contaminated water. I guess I have a whole new realization of responsibility. One that I take very seriously.

We really are watched, aren’t we? I am new in a neighborhood and people are watching me. Not in a creepy, paranoid, sinister kind of way- but they don’t know me and they wonder what I’m about- or maybe why I am there. It underscores the responsibility of living a life that is transparent, that does not cause destruction, but brings blessing to others.

(Today I met my neighbor for the first time. I’ve lived there three weeks. He has noticed my coming and going. Now I know someone from my neighborhood!)

It can be lonely at times. I go to the coffee shop (yea, free internet!) and see people hanging out chatting over coffee. I am at a table alone. No one to talk to. I drive back home. It seems rather sad.

But on the upswing, there’s a whole mess of people to get to know that I’ve not met yet. It is just a matter of time. I’m looking forward to that day.

Does everyone do life this way? So autonomous? Independently moving through their day? It really takes a lot of fun out of living in the city.

I went to church last Sunday and was so happy to get to talk to people. It is a new church for me- new friends to discover. I don’t know how people who don’t go to church do this.

Each day I tell myself I am one day closer to knowing where things are. I am one day closer to making good friends I can hang out with. It is a good day.

I just had a discouraging week. So many things seemed to go wrong. I am learning something through that though. How many times do I link blessing to success? If things are easy I am doing well and in the flow of God and if they move contrary I’m not? As I study scripture I feel I can debate this logic. Paul’s life really was difficult a lot of the time. He was blessed enormously but his life was far from easy.

Last week I lost my phone. I feel like my communication has just been crippled. With the loss of a phone I cannot “reach out and touch someone” and it is amazing how many people you think to call and want to talk to when it is impossible. Also, I’m staying with my son, and for that I am very thankful. But, he does not have internet. So for you who check my blog and live in Thailand, it is just like being back in the village in many ways- no phone service or internet. But in the village setting it is acceptable. That’s just the way it is. Here it is just plain frustrating.

I’m working on getting back in the flow of communication. Awesome coffee shops like Caribou Coffee are helpful as they have free internet. Not convenient, but a tasty alternative.

I’m setting up a new schedule of meetings with churches. Please keep me in mind as I go through this process of fund raising. Any tips would be appreciated.

Blessings-

JJ

We all have good days and bad days. I hear a little fairy (with my mother’s voice) on my shoulder saying, “It’s what I do with the day that matters”. I don’t want to hear it right now.

Tomorrow is a new day. I’m looking forward to it. How many people had a bad day today? I’m sure in this world there are many.

If you had a good day today- I’m very glad for you.

Ok- I wrote that about an hour ago and I have to say that since then my day has just done a 180 degree turn. It is a wonderful day and I’m grounded in the truth. I pray if you had a bad day today, tomorrow is absolutely off the charts for you in a good way.
JJ

The above link will show you a short ad about water- promoting awareness for the many countries where people do not have clean water.

This is a reality. Not only for drinking, but washing. Dishes washed with dirty water have grit on them. Rice made with river water is brown, not from the healthy hull left on the kernel, but because sewage and agricultural run-off contaminates the water- and anything cooked with it. Taking a shower with river water does not cause you to feel clean. In fact in less than 30 minutes you start to itch. Rashes happen from contaminated water. Chemicals that run off of fields are carried away in streams and rivers and end up in showers, drinking water, and food. Small children and aged adults are the most vulnerable to illnesses from contaminated water.

How can you help? Contribute to a fund that will help a poor Karen family purchase a water filter. Help to buy a mold so that a large number of filters can be made. Sponsor a workshop for many villages to come and learn how to clean their water and care for their families.

Did you know that 60% of water born illnesses can be reduced by filtering the water? Teach people to wash their hands and you reduce the number of illnesses by 20%. 80% is a large number when it comes to bringing real life to a people group that have already suffered so much.

We have so much in America. We have clean water that flows from the tap. The water in my toilet is cleaner than what most people have to drink. Please consider helping me help Karen people and the project to bring clean water to the Karen. You can donate money to bring clean water to the Karen on my website. Thank you!

I don’t know if you can identify with this, but I know that I have just had a week where I have wondered if I was doing the right thing. Each day had a bit of uncertainty as I tried my best to do my job of speaking about the Karen to new groups of people. Now that it is Friday I can say that God was in midst of my week. I made some new friends that I know I will have for years to come. I got to share my heart, my pain, and my joy with many. It is Friday and I can see how God wove each opportunity together and He is fully in each one. I am so thankful to see this- to thank Him for his faithfulness and make what I really thought was going to be a difficult job and made it very enjoyable.

I really think my greatest sin is making God so small in my mind. He called me to this work and he will equip me. He has promised this in His word to us. I don’t know if you are struggling or in the midst of decisions that need to be made. Ask for His help and depend that he will answer. It is the truth.