Movie Night: The Nativity.

Wanted to update everyone on some neat things that God is doing here in Thailand. We had thought of doing something in our home, opening it up, to help build relationships with some of the young people in the church (mostly college age). So we invited anybody who could come to our house for dinner and a movie. Ya thought of inviting the students from the Surawittayakarn School as well. That was really God's doing because I didn't think they would come at first. So we tried out our new grill. Well, that was an experience. Needed a little help from our kind landlady, Pin Nit, to get things started! Once the fire was blazing, we grilled marinated chicken, BBQ chicken, and nicely seasoned steak. It was quite fun and everyone seemed to really like the food. Leah whipped out some Italian fixings for the asparagus, and everyone DESTROYED the stuff. They loved it. Well, then we were trying to decide what movie to put on. We decided on "The Nativity", and I think it was a very good idea. As the students watched the account of Christ's birth and how everything came together for the coming of the Messiah, they asked tons of questions. Orowan and Ya were very busy trying to answer all the questions that flew their way. So... if you are reading this, please pray for these kids as we try to show them our Savior. I believe they are curious, especially one guy named Korn. He was asking lots of questions, they said. We plan to do this again, and show one of the movies about Christ's life and death. It was a very good avenue to get the gospel into their minds so they would think about it. One thing I liked, is that the movie was the gospel, but they were all Jewish people. It wasn't the "western" religion. And I think that makes a big difference, it is helpful if they can see the gospel as something that is for the whole world, not just Americans or Europeans.
So, that was our "movie night". It was a wonderful way to meet people and build those integral relationships needed to do anything here. But it was also a great way to present the gospel itself... that God became man, dwelt among us, and ultimately sacrificed His life for ours. Incredible.

The Little Things in Life

Leah here.
I am writing now as it rains like buckets outside our windows. On nights like this it gives me time to sit and think about all that God teaches. To be honest, I have found it a hard thing to be here in Thailand. It is not the people or their country that bothers me. Nor is it the dirt or the smells or the food. What I find hard is the hole that is left when you say good buy to people you love and know. I have been told, "oh your just suffering from Culture shock. You will get used to it." But I know that I am not meant to just get used to it. I am meant to learn and grow through this loneliness. God has a purpose for every thing he gives us. And loneliness is one of those gifts from him. It has put me in a place where all I have is him. When I cry I can't just reach out to my family or call up a friend. I find instead his Bible and I hear his voice. I cannot help but know that this is so much more than what a friend or family could give me.

The way life comes at you

Whoa! Long Time, No Post!

Well, things have definitely gotten busier. We are now adjusting much better to life here in Surin. Although I cannot say at all that we are out of our culture shock yet. We have been reading some very good books about culture shock and transitioning to a new country. Many times, people think they have to completely blend into the new culture and that makes it overwhelming and eventually discouraging. Because it doesn't really happen. One book was saying that the goal is not to "go native" and completely forget where you came from. I remember in college, that was the attitude of some people. They were renouncing American life to go live with the people of the world. Problem is, that will never really happen. As an American, I will always be American, I was born and raised in that culture and really cannot divorce that completely. Nor should I, in my view. And honestly, do we expect foreigners to act and think EXACTLY as we do? I don't, anyway. I actually hope they will keep the culture of their homeland alive. And I don't think the Thais expect me to become completely Thai and do nothing American.

Now, that's not to say that I build my little American ghetto where I retreat from all things Thai. That's the other extreme. Rather, this book was saying that you become bicultural. So I am an American, living and functioning in Thailand. I adapt to the Thai way of life and learn to speak and live and spread the gospel effectively in this land, in their way. Wow, what a revelation! It makes it easier to transition when I realize that. So it's okay to enjoy things American, to miss home, and do silly things here that are normal in America. As long as I have a sense of humor. (Like hitting my head on every awning because I'm a wee bit taller than many here)

Well, as far as our life here goes, we have had some great opportunities with the students from the nearby school. We have set up a regular Friday night English study with them. It is primarily to help them with their English, but we hope to be able to share the great news of our Lord with them as we progress. We see them everywhere now, in the market, at school plays, driving down the road. And they have even come out to church a couple times since the Anchor group left. So praise the Lord! Relationships are being built out of which the gospel can be shared with them.

So here are a couple pictures of our opportunities with the kids. Pray that God will keep opening the doors to work with them and tell them the Good News!

Until next time,

Andrew Kilcup

Ministry in Thailand

Well, despite our constant battles with this illness and that sickness, I wanted to take a moment and fill you in on the ministries we have been able to be a part of while here in Thailand. Really, I'm surprised how much we have been able to do without even knowing a lot of Thai yet! Still, our heart is to learn this language so we can be a little more effective. Look, let's just say I'm already a wee bit tired of just pointing and grunting while in the market. I'd like to speak in proper Thai.

Anyway, first God has blessed us with the English Bible study held at the church on Sunday nights. The service is quite simple, songs sung from paper and a guitar. We give testimonies of God's work in our lives, share prayer requests with each other and then I have the privilege of sharing God's Word. Currently, we are studying through the teachings of Jesus and have been working our way through Matthew 5. It has been very encouraging, if not just for myself!

Secondly, the ministry that we had at the schools when the Anchor team was here has carried on. We have seen the students in the church at least twice now, and hope to see them come back in the future. They are pictured here with us and the Hayes.
One of my most exciting ministry opportunities was during my interviewing at Rajhabat University in Surin. The interview went just fine, and I am waiting to hear back as to when I can sign a contract. But the next day, I went in and met the teacher I will be replacing, Peter. He actually grew up in a Baptist home, but has since given up on Christianity. Interestingly enough though, he had gotten his degree in theology (before he says he was finished with Christianity). All things considered, he is still very much interested in theological things, so we enjoyed some good conversation around various topics of theology. One thing he could not get over is the Joshua story where God seems to command the slaughter of innocent women and children, especially the children. So we talked for a while about that, and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to describe to him the God of the Old Testament, who is not only judgment, but also love and compassion. I think in his worries about the ethics of the situation, he doesn't really see how merciful God was in allowing the people of Jericho ample time to repent and turn from their ways. Either way, he said I made him rethink some of the things he questioned. I am praying for his salvation, even though he grew up Baptist, it didn't seem to be the best example to him of Christianity. Pray through the love and consistency of myself and Orowan (a fellow teacher that goes to Surin Baptist) Peter will be drawn to the Lord!

Well, hope that gives you a glimpse of what God is doing through us at this time in Thailand. We are currently in the throws of culture shock. Wow, I can't say I expected everything I'm feeling. But as we have been reading some missionary bios of people who came to this area, we find ourselves saying, "Yeah, that's what I'm feeling!" So it's good to be in with that company! Keep praying for us, we surely need it!

-Drew Kilcup