Projects of Love

Today, Christina finished her beautiful world map, which you'll see in her photo post later today or tomorrow.  How exciting to make such a useful contribution to Santisuk Rachada, as short termers and students can visualize where they live in relation to each other.  The other book project was given to another artist, who specializes in the type of art the project requires.  I have a project to continue my involvement in Rachada this summer after I return home.  The cell group here needs a new song book, and I've volunteered to help Boom put one together.  Next week, I'll be recording Thai Christian songs to include in the book.

Two days ago, I was asking God to let me see breakthroughs among my students and those of other teachers.  Cathy had mentioned that she's very encouraged to see the openness to the Gospel among so many of the students, and I know it's due in large part to the prayers of so many.  Later that day, I gave a piano lesson to Fai, a girl in the Pre-English class that Jessie teaches.  A week before, I had eaten lunch with her and Jessie and mentioned that we would be getting a keyboard at Rachada.  She excitedly told me that she had taken some piano lessons and plays clarinet, flute, and saxophone as well.  She had wanted to major in music at the University, but her father didn't want her to, so she went with an accounting major.  Her love is music, and we've had a couple of lessons. She learns very quickly.

After the lesson on Tuesday, she began telling me that she'll graduate in May and plans to go to New York to "find herself".  (When I asked Christina where she might have picked up that phrase, she said it sounded suspiciously like the lyrics to a Taylor Swift song!!) During the course of our conversation, I was able to share with her how Jesus guides my life as I trust Him, and how, even though I have problems, He always makes them work out for good.  I asked Boom to explain to her in Thai about the Bible, and how God speaks to us through it, which she did.  Please pray for Fai, that the seeds that were planted will grow.  Today, she gave Christina and me a gift of pomelo, one of my favorite fruits.

Yesterday, I heard a most amazing testimony.  One of Kate's former students, Khem (sounds like "came"), who now tutors her in Thai, told Boom and me about three supernatural incidents from her life.  One was a dream in which Jesus appeared to her as a bright light and spoke to her, "I am listening to you.  You can tell me anything."  In another dream, God warned her about one of her friends who was in trouble and about the need to "keep evil out" of her life and the school, which the director of her school acted on by calling a day of prayer in their school.  The last was when she attended a women's Christian conference and the main speaker called her out of the audience and said, "You feel so small, but God will use you for great things."  My response was, "Wow!  How soon after you saw Jesus in a dream did you give your life to him?" She replied that she's not yet a believer.  Boom talked with her and said that Khem is determined that she will only say "Yes" to Jesus when she can give him 100%.  I thank God for Kate and the other faithful  believers and friends God has placed in her life.  Please pray for Khem, that God's good purposes for her will be fulfilled, and that she will soon surrender to Jesus.