4th of July

Our veterans are amazing! Here in Thailand a VFW group organized a 4th of July celebration for all the Americans here in Chiang Mai. It was located at the Chiang Mai Stadium and filled with ballpark franks, watermelon, apple pie, and of course fireworks. I heard about this event through the principal, so I decided to go and hopefully meet people and hang out with some of the school staff. I sat there for about 2 hours all by myself, observing the various dynamics of kids competing in a potato sack race to watching the live band perform patriotic songs. 

Rewind to the night before. It was my first night in my new home and of course when I walk in the door, there is the biggest spider I have ever seen as well as two lizards! I freaked out and was up all night crying because I didn't know what to do. I sat there talking to God and asking Him if I was brave enough to be here in a house by myself and all alone in a foreign country. 

Well, the next day He did prove yet again that He hears the cries of His children, no matter how illogical they may sound! I was sitting at a table watching the festivities when three college aged people came and sat at the table in front of me. They began talking to me and asking me where I was from and what I was doing here in Thailand. Come to find out, they are here working as teachers up North and they are Christians from Azusa Pacific! It was so great and we all clicked instantly! We hung out after the event as well as today and they are actually all staying at my house, so that they will not have to spend money at a guest house or hotel! God is so amazing and it was such a blessing to make friends! 

They will be leaving on Tuesday to go to Chiang Rai, but we will definitely be staying in touch! I am also going to visit Lanna Cafe this week and see the missionaries from ITDP (Inter-Tribal Development Program) whom I went with during December's trip to the village. What an exciting few days! 

"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
   and delivers them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17

* Today my friends and I visited Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep, which is a Buddhist temple. It is one of the major attractions here in Chiang Mai. The architecture is beautiful, I just wished that it was used to glorify the Lord Jesus rather than deceive souls into thinking that gold statues will bring them good luck and prosperity and ultimately salvation. My heart was very heavy for those who burned candles and bowed in rhythmic fashion to a prayer that could only be heard by those standing next to them. Those statues could not hear that desperate plea! I could hear those prayers and I could feel the heaviness of sadness that I know the Lord sees all around the world every day. The ritual prayers of deceived souls that instead of saving themselves are condemning themselves to an everlasting destruction. My eyes began to swell with tears as young children walked around, head lower than the Buddhas, in ritual prayers. 

This is the society that I am living in. This is the society you are living in. Lost souls who are being deceived by false doctrines. Be a light that reflects the awesome glory of Jesus Christ. The One True God who is living and active, who does not grow weak or weary, who is eternal!