the week in review

Well this was a truly an exceptional week. It was just about as busy as it could be. On Tuesday, I taught a Bible lesson for the church's school staff. Imagine my shock and surprise when I was told by Ahjan Vee that I would do the whole thing in Thai. He helped me when I got stuck on a few words but for the most part I was able to get through it. I taught about Ephesians 6 and putting on the armor of God each day and compared that to fighting against the H1N1 flu and the precautions we all take for that. They were all very nice and said they understood me just fine, but I was terrified.

After that, Ahjan Vee and I went out into 2 of the slums near the church where they have ministry currently underway. Next week, he and I are going to start canvassing new slum areas that they have never been into before. We are really praying right now about ways to reach out to young men and adults. Please keep that in your prayers!

On Wednesday night I had the great joy of having dinner with Terry (Big-C), Son, Ting, and Eddie at Terry's condo. This was a warmup gathering for a new Bible study we are starting this week at Terry's place. Eddie (who is pictured in the middle between Son on the left and Ting on the right) was drafted into the military a few months ago.

He reports in November, and will have to serve for the next 2 years. So Terry had the idea to get some of the young men together to encourage Eddie and study about the Bible's definition of being a man of integrity. Pray for this gathering over the next 7 weeks and pray for Eddie to stand steadfast in Christ as he serves out his time in what will be a very difficult environment for a Christian.

On Friday, I had another banner day. I told you about the radio station the church had started. Well, I was interviewed (in Thai) on the radio for almost 30 minutes by DJ Tony. We were inviting more people in the community to come study English. The highlight was when a caller called into the show and asked me "Do you like Thai ladies?" I said something about them being very nice and that both women and men were welcome to come study English. whew

On Friday night, there are two worship/Bible study sessions. This Friday it just so happened I ended up teaching both of them becuase Ahjan Winit was not well. I taught on church planting and people groups in the first session and Matthew 2 in the second.

And then of course there is Sunday. This Sunday I taught Sunday school and covered 1 Samuel 4-6 about the incredible journey of the Ark in Philistine hands. And then the usual Sunday schedule of teaching English at church and at the slum. Also, I got another dramatic role in the childrens Bible story. I played the part of the fish in the Jonah story. To my great relief, the fish never talks : )