Church and Driving

Today was a wonderful day! I woke up so excited for church. I find that the worship and time of fellowship with believers of other countries is so refreshing and uplifting. Today was much as I expected! We arrived to find the small church rather full. We found seats where ever we could and joined in with the church in song. For me joining meant to sit and listen to the Thai people sing and worship God. It was beautiful! We did sing a few songs that had English words to them as this is an international church. The only one I knew was Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty. It was awesome! One of the things I admire so much about this group of believers is that time is not important when they are worshiping God. After singing they took time to share what God was doing and how He was moving in various lives. One lady shared about a women who has been moved to come to church and how she was encouraged by the church and has shared with her brother who is beginning to open up his heart to God. After sharing about several people and presenting prayer requests they prayed. The whole church at one time began to pray aloud for the requests and for those who are lost.

The pastor's sermon was wonderful. He shared from 1 Timothy 1. He focused on being rooted in Christ, on having a strong foundation. He talked about how Paul had a firm foundation in Christ and how his friendship with Timothy had it's foundation in Christ. He challenged us to have our foundation in Christ and our relationships founded in Christ, that we might be able to influence others for Christ. Later in the chapter it also talks about false doctrines and how we need to know the word of God so well that we can know when we are being taught or faced with false doctrines, no matter how good they may look. He shared several video clips to help get his point across. It was a very interesting use but you could see that the Thai people enjoyed it and it helped them understand in a visual way. Some of it was one of the "My that's different" nature. ( 'My that's different' for those of you who don't know is something we are taught in orientation to help avoid culture shock. It's a way to look at things that are not as we are used to and might think strange, but don't want to pass judgement on other cultures.)

As the pastor had talked about being firmly rooted in the Word, the church puts some of it into action by having a memory verse every week. This week it was Colossians 3:17. The entire Thai body recited it in unison three times. It was wonderful. Then we did it in English. That was slightly entertaining as we all had different versions and thus it was a little less in unison :) But all the same it was nice to apply a little of what the pastor had talked about.

After the message there were other prayer requests shared. One of the LTV's (long term volunteer) that I am working with shared that a young girl from his church was diagnosed with leukemia on Friday. Her name is Hannah and he asked for prayer for her and her family. Again the church all prayed for Hannah and her family. It was beautiful.

Speaking of prayer requests, please be praying for me a lot in the next couple of days. I will be driving here, I had been hoping and praying that there would be enough LTV's that I wouldn't have to drive but it doesn't look like I'm getting out of it. I went out driving with Phil and Mark yesterday, and by driving I mean I rode in the back and Phil helped Mark with learning his way around the city. I now feel quite comfortable with the directions part. What I didn't realize was that I was going to be driving a manual! I have only driven a stick shift a very few times in my life, and those who have ridden in the car with me will tell you that I don't really drive a stick shift! And not only is it learning to drive a stick shift because the drivers seat is on the right, the stick is on your left! Talk about stretching! Pray for God's peace and my quick learning. Thank you all again for the support and encouragement you've been to me!!!