Last weekend I attended a Women's Retreat here in Chiang Mai. There were over 100 women who came. We had 2 amazing speakers. These ladies had shared their traumatic experiences that they had over the years, but ended with the hope that we have in Christ. The theme of the weekend was being, "Deeply Rooted" in Christ and His grace! Some thought it was depressing to hear about the suffering that these missionary ladies had gone through, but to know that they were here to tell us the hope they have in Christ was so encouraging.
The highlight of my weekend came when I was able to sit down with Karen Eubanks and share with her about the Karen in San Diego. Karen and her husband David have to be the most influential people who work with the Free Burma Rangers and the Karen. So, meeting her and being able to hear her story and then tell her about our story in San Diego was unbelievable.
I was humbled because while I was telling her about the Karen she kept thanking me and telling me to thank you all at Grace for loving the Karen. I was so humbled because this woman and her husband and children have risked their lives and continue to risk their lives in the hills of Burma to train the Karen and share the gospel. Back home, we do not have that threat. We may have the inconvenience of getting a phone call to take a family to the store or take them to a doctor's appointment, but nothing like risking our lives. I was shocked that she would be thanking us. Instead, I was thanking her for giving the Karen hope; the hope of Christ.
Karen is very thankful for all that you (Grace Church) has done for the Karen. Giving them a chance to succeed and to begin a new life. What a blessing to work together with other believers, whom you may never meet, but knowing that we are working together to share the gospel with these refugees and help improve their living conditions.
Karen was truly an inspiration to me of a woman who radiates with the joy of Lord and is so excited to live a life on the edge for the sake of the Gospel.
I hope you at Grace Church are encouraged to know you are part of a global mission field!!!
Blessed! Blessed! Blessed!
ReplyDeleteAnd that place looks so scrumptious. Looks like it is straight out of a postcard. So glad you had fun. You may never want to come home..WAAAAAAAH!
xoxo,
Veronica
Wow that's so great! Make sure to tell them how inspirational they have been for us too!
ReplyDelete-Dan Lamm
hey it was so awesome to talk to you on the phone. it looks like you took what i had to say about your blog, so keep it up. Sorry if i sounded like a bad charger fan to you, but it has been disappointing to watch their defense. I really do like them as a team. and 2-2 isn't that bad. well we are praying for you ,cant wait to talk again.
ReplyDeleteI loved getting to talk to you on the phone. We will have to do that more often.
ReplyDeleteIsabella turns 4 months next week! She has already started to laugh! It sounds sooo cute!
can't wait to talk to you again.
Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteHey austin and me are chilling in the Commuter lounge at SDCC, we were talking about Free Burma Rangers and you and then we got on your blog and you met with Karen. THanks crazy... small world..
she is an amazing women of God
tell us more.....
titus