So here's a taste

TRAC Thailand Retreat and Consultation

Well these pictures are from the days together during TRAC.  It was truly great for Tracy and I to see most of the missionaries from Thailand.  I, Cecil, was so grateful to just be in the same room with these men and women.  Many if them are my heroes so it was a blessing to be able to serve and spend time with them.  Some of the pictures are from the talent show we put on, What does the fox say, Grease Lightning, and the boys-with the Princesses--performing Let it Go, from the soundtrack Frozen.

We had such a beautiful time, and are so grateful to be part if the crew.

Thank you Ed Russell for the pictures.

Cecil

Glimpse into our lives...

Hey guys!  Our good friends here, Jesse and Jessy have a ministry of making videos for missionaries to encourage connection between their home country and life overseas.
They made this 10 minute video for us.
It was really well made.  They ROCKED IT.
So grab some popcorn, sit back, relax, and welcome to our lives here, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
hugs,
Cecil and Trace

Bait of Satan

So I have heard a lot about this book...and I finally got it.  I figured I should write this blog while it was still fresh in my mind.  I should say that though I respect John Bevere as a writer; however, I don't agree with him completely on all of his theological persuasions.  Nonetheless, I have been blessed by this book in an incredible way.Much of this book is about offenses and forgiveness.  The first half speaks of how Satan puts his "bait" out by having Christian become easily offended, and harbor resentment and unforgiveness.  I know that recently I certainly have been battling with this.  Just so you know it hasn't been toward my wife or anyone with MB Mission.  But there has certainly been many times where I have felt the "hook" of the bait.  Holding on to unforgiveness is like a wound in your soul, an open wound that becomes infected and just festers.  Hope that's a nice image for you today.  Truth is even though we can't see the wound with our natural eyes that doesn't mean the effect isn't real.  I know first hand how deep these wounds certainly can be. One of the deepest wounds that I have had came from my father.  My parents divorced when I was around 4, and I basically grew up without a father.  My mother moved my sister and I to Bakersfield, California when I was 5 my sister 3.  To be honest I can't say I don't blame my mother.  She was in a difficult situation, and she knew she wanted to give us a better life.  Growing up with a mom who struggled to pay the bills, many times working two, to three jobs at once, and not having a father around affected me for several years.  I remember after I completely gave my life to Christ at 20 I felt The Lord impress upon my heart to forgive my father.  I remember telling The Lord, "how can you expect me to forgive him! Don't you know what he's done to me, how deep He's hurt me!?" In that moment I felt The Lord say, "I know how deeply he's hurt you...but how deeply have you hurt me...with your life style, kicking dirt and spitting in my face, and I have forgiven you for all of it...and what your father has done to you doesn't even compare to what you've done to me." Shortly after that I went to see my father in prison and I felt The Lord tell me, "just let him be your Dad." I am pleased to announce that I have been able to, by the grace of God, to  forgive my father and now we have a wonderful relationship.  I genuinely have a deep love and affection for my father.   John Bevere really does a great job at communicating how holding on to unforgiveness and bitterness truly causes the hook to penetrate into our soul.  As we understand how much we have been forgiven it's so much easier to forgive. Cecil

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Songkran

So we are gearing up for Songkran, which is a Thai national holiday.  The whole country basically shuts down for several days...and there is a huge water-fight across the country!  The boys and I have actually been practicing.  We have purchased water guns and have been having some water fights on our side yard and with our friends at the mini mart.  Today was a lot of fun when Em--the daughter of P. Tan who owns the mini mart--and one of the men who works for her came over and started shooting us with their water guns...the boys and I had so much fun.  I am not sure exactly how involved we will be in the heart of the celebration because we have TRAC--Training and Consultation--with all the other MB Missionaries in Thailand around the same time.  I pray that as the people of Thailand experience the refreshing feeling that comes with the water they will experience the refreshment of the Holy Spirit.

Mr Koss our Taxi Man

So we are still saving up for a vehicle so we have been biking, calling taxis and taking public transportation.  So this is Koss...Tracy and I called a taxi service about 2 months ago and Mr Koss showed up at my doorstep.  I really hit it off with this guy.  I felt comfortable enough with him to fumble through my broken Thai and he was very gracious to me as I tried to communicate my thoughts.  I have actually taken his personal number and have used him as our taxi for the past 13 or so trips.  I have learned that he works 7 days a week...usually 12-14 hours a day.  He has been married for about 5 years and he has two little girls.  He loves to learn Thai and has been a taxi driver for the past year.  When I asked him if he likes being a taxi driver compared to the jobs he's had in the past, he's responded that he does because he enjoys driving around and the A/C of the car.  I know that he doesn't make too much money so for the past several times we have called him we try and give him a little tip to express our appreciation.  Mr. Koss and I have actually grown to be decent friends.  When I asked him the first time I met him how he says his name he replied, "Koss....like a...Santa Koss..."  Now when he shows up to the house he gives me a hug, which for those of you who don't know is extremely rare for Thai culture.  I pray that we can creat some space to have he and his family come over some time...not sure when that will be with him working all the time and the fact that my Thai isn't that well.  I do desire that I would be able to meet his family and that we could bless them in some way.  Please pray that Jesus would show Mr. Koss how much he is loved by our Savior.

Cecil