Day 2 - Sunday, Feb.12/13

**Note: I have been having tons of internet trouble.

Day 2 - Sunday February 12, 2013 - Worshipping Together

Wow - amazing how great sleep can feel!  We awoke fresh and went down for an excellent breakfast at the hotel.  They served both western & Thai, so we could choose... and nice strong coffee!  We wandered down by the river for our morning devos and briefing, and had a great time of prayer together.

Janelle & Shane riding the song taow

Brenda & Josie about to enter Bethel. Note all the shoes outside: it is Thai custom to take them off before entering a building.

The 18 of us loaded into 2 song taows and headed off for the 45 drive to the Bethel Church, which is the Thai church that Dave & Louise work with.





They normally have about 30 people, but this Sunday some were away with family for Chinese New Year, or studying for upcoming exams, so we were a rather overwhelming group to descend upon them! However, they accepted us with warmth and grace.

"Ajan Naat" (Pastor Naat) led the service in Thai, and Louise translated into English for us.  Any strangeness we felt at first was soon surpassed by the joy of worshipping our Lord with our brothers and sisters here, hearing their amazing testimonies, and seeing their passion for God and for His Word.  When they read scripture, they all read together out loud (which is also how they pray - very new for us).  They all have their Bibles, and they sit with them open, pen or highlighter in hand, following intently.  Their worship and teaching are intense and passionate, and it is very evident that the Lord means everything to them.

Janelle with baby Hallelujah

Allen shared his testimony, and then one of the grandmothers there shared hers.

Louise translating Allen's testimony

We were able to present them with the beautiful banner that Yvonne had made - which was really special both for them and for for us. Yvonne explained that inspiration for it was from John 3:16, and that her grandchildren had helped pick the colours.

Pastor Naat, Hans, & Yvonne

After the service we cleared away the chairs and set up tables for lunch. Again, everyone starts with plates of rice and then helps themselves from plates of vegetables and meat... so yummy!  There are very spicy dishes, but there always seems to be something milder for us "farangs" (foreigners) as well.

After lunch, Louise invited us to go to the B*mese neighbourhood with her in the afternoon to go door-to-door, inviting people to come to their evening service.  Others would go back to the hotel to rest or do whatever, as many were weary, feeling the jet-lag/time change, etc.  To be honest, most of us where a little intimidated by the prospect (esp. on day 1), and in the end only I (Kathryn) went.

As the rest of this day I was apart from the group, I will tell you what I experienced.

I drove off with Dave, not knowing what to expect, and feeling quite out of my comfort zone.  However, I felt that this is what I had come for, so the Lord would help me.  

We had a bit of a rest at their place, and then picked up one of the TREKers (Kirsten) and drove to Bang Sai.  There we went up to the little room they rent, and I was introduced to Sue and Ajan Mo Au.

They set a plan in place, and off we went.  We wandered over to the market and bought food (not sure what for), and they talked to people they met and invited them to the evening service.  I felt a little like a 5th wheel, but Kirsten explained what she could to me (she knows a little bit of Thai, and some of their routine).  We left the market and turned down a "soy": an alleyway of sorts.

Food at the market

This area is where the migrant B*mese factory workers live.  The alley is more like a paved raised sidewalk.  It is about 4-5 feet wide, with no edges, and drops off about 4-6 feet to sludgy,garbage-filled, water.  My senses felt assaulted with the stench and the filth and the poverty, and I was trying not to let my disgust show on my face.  I was surprised that Sue, Louise, and Kirsten looked so casual, and seemed not to be bothered at all by the conditions.

One of the local women we met

 As we walked along and greeted people (taking care to step to the side when the motorcycles rode by (yes, sharing this 4 foot stretch), Sue would walk right into peoples' homes and engage them in conversation. No one seemed surprised by this, and again, my North American sense of privacy was challenged by this open hospitality.  I couldn't speak to anyone (other than my "hello" in B*mese), so I quickly realized that then I would just pray.

Kirsten with 2 girls from the neighbourhood

 Within a short time, I became aware that I was no longer looking at the surroundings that had so disgusted me, but into the eyes of these warm people - young mothers with beautiful little children, a grandpa as proud of his little grand daughters as any, a sick grandma welcoming us into her home.  This last women had a large Buddhist altar in her home, and told us she was a fortune teller as well.  They asked if she would like prayer, and she said yes.  We all started to pray for her (out loud, of course :)).

 We gave her some Valentines chocolate, and eventually headed back to the "church" (the rented room) as it had gotten dark.

People that had been invited by us, and by the guys who had gone out into another neighbourhood, started arriving.  We taught some English first.

Three of the guys from the neighbourhood that came.

Afterwards we sang, several of the guys gave their testimonies (amazing stories) and then Pastor Moe Aung preached. Kirsten & I just prayed.  I was very moved, again, by their evident love for God and for His word.

Worshipping together

Those who had come were listening intently.  More people showed up.  My legs were killing me, as we were sitting on a hard tile floor, and as it is rude to point your feet at people, I had to sit with them to the side (I was in a skirt).

Joshua's personal story & love for God were inspiring

 It was hot and humid (a constant here), but all of the discomfort paled next to the joy of being there.  It was so refreshing to see their openness to the gospel - it is beautiful fresh water to a parched people, and that's how many of them receive it.  Five people accepted the Lord, and the old woman we had prayed for was healed of her pain.

Most of the people that came that night - the woman in the centre is the one I was able to give my glasses to. Louise wanted to give one of the women that came to the Lord some reading material, but the woman said that she couldn't see very well.  I had an extra pair of reading glasses with me and was able to give those to her.  It was so humbling to be able to give something so simple that could help someone.  Jean had provided a couple of B*mese Bibles, so I am looking forward to going back and giving one to her.

The food from the market that we all shared afterward - delicious!

After the service ended they brought out the food they had bought at the market (ah, now I get it) and set it out in bowls on the floor.  Apparently the Thai & B*mese end every gathering with a meal.  Community and hospitality are huge here, and they are so very gracious.  

The food was delicious once again.  

Sharing a meal with everyone.

Our evening ended about 10pm, and then Louise still had to drive Sue, Ajan Moe Aung, and myself back to our separate residences.  I arrived back about 11pm.  I didn't even feel tired; my soul felt so full.  I really don't know how to communicate the joy I felt: the spiritual connection I felt with these people, the encouragement I received from their wholehearted love for God and for the people here, the warmth and hospitality, seeing The Lord transform lives...  I felt like I had experienced enough in one day to impact my life.

Everyone was in bed by the time I got back to the hotel. After showering off some serious layers of sunscreen, bug repellent, sweat, and dirt, I hit the pillow and was asleep in minutes.