Best part of the Men's Conference

So this Men's Conference was an amazing experience.  I had the pleasure of teaching a few of the last sessions and I had an absolute blast.  The most exciting part was "Ice" being part of the worship service then staying around for the conference.  This last session was filled with group discussion questions.  At the very end the Lord was working in Ice's life in an amazing way.  The guys in his group were sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then we gathered around and prayed over him as he decided to surrender his life to Jesus.  Pray with us as we desire to walk with him in this journey.

Cecil

One year anniversary in Thailand

 

So we just came upon our first year of being in Thailand...I can hardly believe it.  It feels so surreal.  I still remember spending our first night here.  There are times when I think to myself, "my language is pretty good," but there are plenty of times where I feel I should be so much further along than I am.  I have been so blessed by many of the relationships that have been developed and that are growing.  These pictures are brief snapshots of those...I've been feeling incredibly blessed.  I have been in situations where I didn't know how Jesus would take care of me growing up, and Ge always has come through.  This past year has been another testimony to that effect.  I feel that I can do incredible things because Jesus is working through my and going before me...He's working in a mighty way...I look forward in anticipation to what He'll do in the future.

Pray with us as we embark on our second year.

Cecil

Guys Night Out

So tonight was our first "guys night out." Tracy and I decided that we would alternate, I have a guys night then the following week Tracy will have the same.  Exept "girls night" of course.  The night with "Ice" was amazing.  Jon had an amazing night meeting Ice for the first time and having some great conversations about life, Jesus and his future.  Please continue to pray for Ice.

Cecil

Wrestling/Gym ministry

So I've met a young man...we'll call him "Ice"...and we've been hanging out recently.  He actually works as s security guard close in my neighborhood.   I asked him if he wanted to go to the gym with me tonight and he said he would, we've been doing this once a week or so.  As we we're warming up I noticed a call on his cell phone, it was his wife and she was very upset.  We ending up working out by just wrestling.  Then I looked at him and told him I knew he was making some bad decisions in life.  I ended up sharing how years ago before Christ I made many similar decisions, he's about 20 years old, and shared about his I felt empty.  Shared about how I knew I needed a change in my life...I gave my life to Jesus and he totally transformed me.  After a long talk he allowed me to pray over him.  Please commit to pray for my friend.  Ice mentioned how he feels this deep anger, like a raging storm within.  Pray that Jesus would quiet that storm, would cleanse him and give him new life...as He has given me.

Cecil

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