As we rounded the last stretch of a leisurely Sabbath afternoon walk several children from a nearby playground ran up to greet us.  After exchanging a few words in Thai, they stood spell-bound, surprised that these two “farangs” (foreigners) could actually speak their language.  We chatted with them for several minutes and learned that because school is out for the summer (the Thai school year breaks March – May) they play at the playground every day.  As we began to leave they begged us to come back and play with them tomorrow.  Earlier in the same walk we stopped and talked with a Grandmother and her little 4 or 5 year old grandson that I had met a few weeks earlier.  On my first meeting I noticed that after the little boy saw that I could speak and understand Thai, he began peppering me with questions, and seemed more than willing to give me his full attention.  This day was no different as he began showing us his toys and playing with them in our presence. 

Chatting in Thai

One thing that we have noticed of late is that Thai children really seem to respond to attention from adults, even “farangs,” once they get over their initial shyness.  For example, we have played badminton with our three neighbor children twice in the last couple of weeks, and now whenever they see us they run toward us and ask us to play; in fact they have no reservations of even ringing our doorbell to get our attention when we are not outside.  They are more than willing to take whatever time we are willing to give them.  We have also noticed that we seldom see Thai adults playing with their children outside.  This has led us to the conclusion that for those willing to invest in children, there is a rich mission field to be worked. 

Chatting in Thai

However, it isn’t just children that respond to attention from “farangs,” we find that Thai people in general are typically willing to give us all the time we will to take, and often try to get our attention when they see us.  The other day we took an evening walk and saw a large family sitting in their front yard eating supper.  As we walked by they greeted us in Thai and offered to let us eat with them.  After explaining that we were vegetarians they understood why we didn’t accept their invitation but began talking with us.  One of them, a college-aged girl began talking with us in [broken] English and asked if we would be willing to practice with her, to which we agreed.  She then told us that she could possibly meet us next month. 

The longer that we stay here the more we realize how many opportunities there are for ministry.  It all starts with friendship, and once that is established it is much easier to share spiritual truths.  Right now we find ourselves in a transitional period of our work in Thailand as we are finishing up our formal language studies and will be moving at the end of the year, however we still want to make a difference here and now.  As much of our time is spent in formal study, we cannot completely immerse ourselves in all of the different ministry opportunities that we see, so we ask that you would pray that the Lord would give us wisdom to know how He had have us balance our time know who to invest our time in. 

Chatting in Thai

Yesterday I was talking to another AFM missionary working on another project in SE Asia.  He is an administrator at an English Language school that relies heavily on the help of student missionary volunteers to serve as English teachers.  Each year the school needs around 10 SM’s to teach English.  He told me that it normally is not a problem to get SM’s, however this year, there is only one or two that are scheduled to serve for the next school year starting in the fall.  Jesus told His disciples that the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore that the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37, 38).  Right now we are praying for more laborers, and I would like to ask that if you or someone you know may be willing to devote at least a year to serve as a short term missionary teaching English that you contact John Baxter at jbaxter@afmonline.org for more information. You do not need to be a college student to serve.

Chatting in Thai

In closing I would like to request your prayers as I have now been put on the preaching schedule at the local church and will have the opportunity to speak every couple of months ( I hope to preach at least one sermon in Thai before we move), with my first sermon on April 12.  Please pray that the Lord would fill me with his Spirit and give me the words that the people most need to hear.  We really appreciate all of your prayers and support, don’t hesitate to let us know how we can pray for you, may the Lord bless you all!

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