The Relentless Pursuit…

This is Michael….he is a normal 5 year old boy who LOVES to play!  Maddy and Michael have become good friends as they search for their next bug to trap. :)  He has lived here at Faith Village since he was 3 months old.  The story I want to share with you is a prime example of how the “thief” (that would be the devil, in case you were wondering), anyhow….the “thief” comes to steal, kill, and destroy peoples lives, BUT Jesus has come to give us an abundant life!” John 10:10

Michael’s mother died just a few days after he was born, and his father was killed in the first few days of his life as well.  I’ll spare you the details of these horrid events, to progress to a much brighter note…

Here is a newborn boy, so quickly made an orphan and nowhere to go.  That’s why Faith Village exists.  Michael spent his first few months at a relatives house, but in the mean time the authorities contacted the leaders at Faith Village to ask if they could take this baby boy.  This place has become a beacon of light in their region, and people KNOW who they are, the standard they live by, and about their God, the one and only big “G” God. :)  They are a living example of Matthew 5:16 “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

The devil tried to destroy this boys life before it even had a chance to begin, BUT our God turned that around, and now Michael is growing up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and being “trained” in the way he should go.  It’s awesome to be a part of such a great place.  check it out at www.trumpetsofchrist.org

Later,

Rick

This trip the whole family was able to visit the Children’s Home at Baan Mae Toh. We had a great time with the kids, and we even taught them to play “duck, duck, goose!” They had a fun time playing the new game….please continue to pray for the leaders here and the kids there as the grow in the Lord, and become a light in their world. We also had a great opportunity to pray for them while we were there…..”The fervent prayers of a righteous man accomplish much..” James 5

On this trip, Madison was my sidekick and she did a great job and had a lot of fun.  She had too much fun and made too many new friends, that she didn’t want to leave!

This is one of our favorite places to go because we have a special relationship with the people there, and it’s a lot of fun not only to be with the kids and play with them, but to also to impart into them what they need naturally and spiritually to be a force in their world.  Please pray for the leaders there at Faith Village that they may also have wisdom as they lead and guide these boys and girls who will be the leaders of the next generation.

Baan Mae Toh

On June 13th I had the privelege of traveling with my friend and interperter, Phi Chai, to the village of Baan Mae Toh.  This is the location of one of the orphanages we work with.  The road was a long and winding road through the mountains, yet so beautiful at the same time.  We were able to spend the day there and talk with the Pastor and leader, Turason.  The kids are a blast to play with, and are very nice and polite.  There are 13 kids in all from 5 years up to 13 years of age.  Currently the attend a Thai school in the village, and our goal is to see the kids grow up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” so that they may be able to lead others of their people to Christ, and make an impact in their world.  Please pray for the leaders at the orphanage to have wisdom in their decision making and that they would also be able to train these children effectively.

Isn’t it crazy how we are always wanting to be something we are not!  Just as if God made a mistake or something!  People here in Thailand are always coming up to our children and comparing their dark skin to our white skin.  Here they want to have white skin so bad.  They wear coats and gloves as they ride on their motorbikes (In 100 degree weather!!!) to keep from getting darker.  Here if your skin is darker they might think you are of the lower class and have to work in the rice field. 

Just the other day I was talking with Jit, the lady we rent our home from, and she was talking about how beautiful Ezekiels skin was.  And I told her that in America so many wish they had skin like hers -  the golden tan look.  She said that here so many people wants to be white - she was like “Brooke - we even have many, many whitening creams.”  I told her in America we have many, many tanning creams - and for America it doesn’t stop there… we have tanning beds and tanning sprays and so on!

So today I encourage you to be thankful for how God created YOU!  He loves you so much and created you just as you are!  Be thankful knowing that He takes pleasure in His creation and thinks you are absolutely stunning!

Psalm 139: 13  You knit me together in my mothers womb.

What a novel idea, huh!  That the Lord would take care of His children!  I just wanted to write a quick post about how the Lord has truly blessed us!  We are just so thankful for the home we live in!  Not just is it a wonderful home, but we are just truly blessed by the connections we have made here.  The day after Grammy left, Madison met Emma (There is a previous post about Emma - if you would like to read more.)  Emma is 5 and is Madison’s BEST friend!  And the best part is she lives right down the road!  Thank you Lord for friends!  Emma’s family has been a major blessing to us - as they have been here 6 years and have given so many tips on doctors, playgrounds, food…  The list could go on and on - from the first time we met they invited us over for supper and have just been such a blessing to our famly! 

Then there is the people we rent our home from - their names are Lucca and Jit and they have a little boy named Jonathon.  They are such a blessing.  Wonderful, sweet people!  We could not have asked for better people to rent from.  They are constantly helping us and blessing us.  Lucca is from Italy and he makes us the best pizza!!!  All the time he is showing us at our door with something wonderful to eat - and Jit is always making up homemade baby food for Jonathon and brings some over for Ezekiel too!  Even now it brings tears to my eyes at all the wonderful people that God has placed in our life - He is so GOOD!

Even the little things - the other day, our neighbor lady brought over bananas.  That might seem silly to you, but it was the exact bananas we love and we had been out of bananas for a while and we love bananas!  Even though I hadn’t voiced it, I had been meaning to ask Rick to remember to pick up bananas!  They were delivered right to our door - coincidence - no way!  My Father loves us and is always taking care of us!!!

Then, just 2 days ago Rick went to pick up some cell phones we bought from a family who was leaving Thailand.  They were leaving for the airport when Rick arrived to pick up the phones and she “happens” to hand him a bag of vitamins she did not know what to do with.  She had brought these from America and many were still unused.  Anyway, in that bag was Grapefruit Seed Extract.  That may not seem like a big deal to you, but I have been trying to find that exact stuff here and I have not been able to find it.  I was going to have my mom send me some, but once again - this lady just happens to give this bag to Rick as they are leaving for the airport!  God is So GOOD!  He is such a Great Father! 

Even in the midst of missing family, friends, our home church, foods, ect…  The Lord is always taking care of us and reminding us that He loves us and is ALWAYS watching out for us!

Thank You Lord! 

I just want to encourage you to take time today and look at the ways that Lord is taking care of you - even in the small things!

(And I said this would be a quick post!!! :) 

~Brooke 

                                         Here is a picture of Kru Lah.  She is our Thai Teacher - Kru means teacher and Lah is her name (for short)!  Learning Thai has been quite the challenge!  I was reading about the fiery furnace the other day and how the Lord gave Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah knowledge and wisdom into learning the Babylonian language - I am asking the Lord to do the same for us!!!  :)  (Daniel 1:17)

For I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!!!  Philippians 4:13

Click on this link to view the video of “playin in the rain…”

I’m certainly not much of a singer, but Maddy and I certainly can play hard in the rain. Grace wasn’t real enthusiatic about the idea of playing in the rain, she was content with watching from the porch.