Back on the Homefront

I have been back in the States now for a week. It has definitely has been an adjustment! I was really sick the first few days after the 2-day flight back home. My stomach shrunk in Thailand so I can't eat as much of the American food that I have been craving. But most of all, I miss Thailand. My dad and I ran up to his church last night and on the way home he asked if I was okay. He said I seemed a little depressed. (I had been very quiet and soft-spoken the two days I had been home.) I said yes, I was okay but my eyes filled with tears. I told him I missed Thailand. "Even with the food, the heat, the hard beds, etc. etc.?" he asked. Yes, of course. Those things didn't matter in the great scheme of things. I've been missing the team, the fellowship we had together, how we could always talk about the Lord together and encourage each other. How we laughed and joked together around the dinner table. I didn't exactly find that when I returned home. I miss the Thais, how joyful they are and their beautiful smiles. I miss how we would laugh together over the silliest things and how we would share even just elementary basics about God (whatever the language barrier would allow). I miss the overall experience in Thailand. It is going to be hard the next few weeks adjusting back to life here. My fear is that I will fall back into the American routine and forget about Thailand and what I learned this summer. It will be my constant prayer that it won't happen.

So what did I learn this summer? So much more than I will ever be able to communicate. However, I want to attempt to share my heart with you, to encourage you and as a way to express my gratitude towards your support this summer.

I really learned more about God this summer. I reflected back on the beginning. Buddhists don't believe in a Supreme Being that created the world. God created the world. He wrote the story of life on earth for all time (Psalm 139:16b). Therefore, He has all authority. Why not believe? Buddhists believe in idols that are empty of value. They can't save their worshipers. They can't even move; they have to be carried. God carries His people (Isaiah 46:4). He saves. He loves. He never fails His people like the idols do. God can heal us. God comforts us (Psalm 31:1-5). God did not spare His Son (Romans 8:32). So why would He withhold good things from us? God is sovereign-He is the Potter. Why would I question Him (Romans 9:21)?

As for a ministry update, overall, my ministry team met over 100 girls. We followed up with about 20 of those girls. We had really close relationships with 3 of them and 1 will be joining Bow's Bible study! Within another ministry team, 2 girls came to Christ! Praise be to Him!

Please continue to pray for the Isan people group. They are the 26th most unreached people group in the world, and we came in direct contact with so many of them.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers this summer! The journey is not over!

In Christ,
Christine ><>

God's Sovereign Choice

I have been studying Romans 8 and 9 and how they apply to evangelism. God will have mercy on whom He chooses; He will have compassion on whom He chooses (v. 15). No one can resist the will of God! How can we question our Maker (v. 19-21)? He has prepared each one of us for His glory, whether for destruction or exaltation (v. 23).

Paul wishes himself to hell in order that others may know Christ. Those verses (2-3) have been in the back of my mind this summer. I could not say that! I want to say that I want the Esan people group to come to know the Lord but to give up my own salvation for that? What does that say about my heart for the lost?

But the difference is that Paul has a heart like Christ. Jesus sacrificed a perfect union with the Father so that we can spend eternity with Him. Paul was willing to do the same.

I have been trying to look around KKU and see the students through eternal lenses-the students are just bones walking around because they are spiritually dead. What a responsibility we have! Even though God chooses who He will save, we have the responsibility to make His name known. "Faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). We as believers are preachers of the Word. The lost are in great need of the Word. What are we doing about it?

Ministry has been great on campus. I have been able to share bits of the gospel and my testimony with one girl. What I have to remember is that my primary goal being here is creating friendships and interest. The CO staff will share the gospel when the time is right down the road. Building that relationship of trust is what we need to do right now. In saying that, God is working! Two girls have come to know Christ this week! Praise Him!

Thank you for your prayers! We have 3 days left on campus then a retreat with just the team. I cannot believe the summer is almost over!

Prayer requests:
1.)that God provides time in the students' schedule to hang out this week.
2.)that I have energy to pour out love this next week.
3.)that our team's heart for the nations continues to grow.

Thank you for your support!
In Christ,
Christine ><>

Ministry Update

CCP Thailand: Team Update Week 5 from Matt & Erin Francisco on Vimeo.