First Ministry Day

Today was the first day that we went out on campus. I was a little nervous, but only because I didn't know what to expect. This morning, we met at the church and had our first training meeting. Pi Betsy talked about our role in evangelism on campus. As a CCP team, we are here to be the "bait." We are new and exciting to the Thais so they want to talk to us.

Bo, Laura Ruth, Erin, and I went to the complex which is a cafeteria where most freshmen go for lunch. We went around and asked the students if they were science majors because we had a survey for science majors (our ministry team is just focusing on the science majors). Once we would find a group of girls who were science majors,we would sit down and introduce ourselves. Laura Ruth and I know quite a few phrases in Thai so we would start by asking how they were, what their names are, where they are from, what their major is, etc. After that, any additional questions went through Bo, who is on staff with CO. We would ask questions or say things in English and she would translate to Thai for the students. They would respond and then Bo would translate back into English for us.

Our goal is to meet five girls each day. That seemed really big to me when Bo told us this morning but we met six!

Ministering in this way is extremely exhausting. It is hard to try to speak the very little Thai that we know. It can also be hard to let the conversation just continue between Bo and the students in Thai. During that time, I just sit back and pray for the conversation.


Linda, Rachel, Nil, me, Gad

You may be wondering 'why did they go? CO is very established there.' Pi Betsy told us yesterday how much CCPs mean to the ministry. She knows girls that have been touched by four different CCPs! And they are all believers now! We really are to be the bait this summer, the shiny thing in the water. One girl we met today even said she wanted American friends! We are the fresh new faces going out on campus. The students see the CO staff a lot, so we are someone new to talk to.


The girls at church Sunday

This summer has been challenging in so many ways so far but I am learning to rest in God's sovereignty. One big personal prayer request I have right now is that I stay healthy and don't get sick. The past day has been really rough; I have been getting sick (adjustment stress and the food). Feeling sick can really put a damper on ministry. Please pray for our whole team that we will be healthy for the sake of ministry, but if it is in His will for us to be sick for His glory, by all means, show me the toilet. : )

Thank you for your prayers! Happy Memorial Day to you Americans!
Faan dii ka! (Goodnight!)

In Christ,
Christine ><>