Men's Conference

This Sunday was a great time of Andy Owen leading the Men's Conference at Grace Church here in Chiang Mai.  He lead us through some wonderful activities some great discussions and a deep time of prayer.  We have two more weeks and I'm going to lead the next two discussions...very excited.  Praying that the Lord continues to move in a tremendous ways.

Cecil

Morning Prayer

Tracy and I got into the habit of praying in the morning about 2 years ago as we headed to missionary training in BC.  We would do it once in awhile in the states, and when we had our bikes as our only means of transportation we'd pray every time we'd get on our bikes.  Then we got our vehicle...and all of the sudden the prayers begin to decrease as our perception of security and comfort increased.  This morning we spent the whole time in prayer.  Everyone prayed, first Judah, then Solas and finally Tracy and I closed it out.  As I was driving away I thought...that was really nice...and so vital, so true.  Who do we think we are assuming that because we've been giving the gift of a reliable vehicle that we don't need to be desperate for Jesus every time we get behind the wheel.  Truth is whether we are in Vancouver or Chiang Mai we are desperate for the grave of Jesus to show up in our lives...oh so desperately in need of it...shame on us for ever thinking we can do this without His grace and on our own strength...Jesus we need you...we're desperate for you...forgive us for the times we rely on our own strength.

Cecil

Hospital Language

So Tracy and I are working on getting our Visa changed from s student Visa to a work Visa.  Since its in my name I needed to submit my birth certificate, marriage license, my degrees, photos and on top of that I needed to go to the hospital to get a physical and to have them check for syphallis.

So I drove to the hospital, and I waited in my car for, I kid you not, for about 15 minutes practicing the phrase-in Thai-that I would say to the nurses and the receptionist.  The phrase in English is, "I would like to get a medical certificate for my work permit."  As I waited and practiced anxiously in the car I thought to myself, "if I was in the states this wouldn't be an issue at all."

After drilling myself I gathered the courage to practice what I had recently learned.  To my delight one of the nurses actually complimented my Thai and told me she was not a Christian but would like to visit Israel because she had been learning about Jesus and was very curious.  Right after that she drew blood and 30 minutes later I was out the door.  Seems like such a small thing but approaching a stranger and trying to communicate in a foreign language is a constant reminder of my desperate need for Jesus and it certainly keeps me humble.

Cecil