Welcome To The Adventure!

We are ordinary people trying to obey the word of an extraordinary God.
These are our travels.

Friday, January 4, 2008

The Philippines

SO I leave in two days for the Philippines!

Thailand has been such a blessing to me. We as a team are working with a campus ministry called Bon Jai Deow - "house of one heart" (BJD for short) It is an affordable student dorm building where non christians come in - because its cheap- and hear about God. We get the incredible opportunity to teach and answer questions of the staff and college students here. Thais are so hungry to know more about Christ. We have had some of the most amazing lessons and teaching sessions not to mention a few interesting conversations. They are so interested in what we have to say and they are SO smart. Here in Thailand there is such a great need for Bible teachers. BJD has needed people who can teach the bible in its entirety, connecting the old and new testaments together into a cohesive whole that points toward Jesus Christ crucified and risen, so that the students who are here can be discipled and grounded in God's word. This is done so that when they graduate from college they will go out into the country and change it for Christ. And this is what we as a team teach. God has answered the need of the people with a divine appointment of bringing us here. In the beginning we were unsure if we were going to spend a lot of time in Thailand but now we are sure that we were following the Lord's leading. Praise the Lord that He holds the whole world in His hands and that He orchestrates such amazing meetings.

We have been holding small group bible studies and large group lessons. and heading out to the college campus across the street. Mind you it is the WORLDS largest college campus, having over 600,000 students attending. We have been able to sit in on classes and talk to many students about the evidence of God's existence through creation. We have really been able to share the gospel at a level that is so needed here. In Thailand it is primarily nominal Buddhists who have been so effected by concepts like evolution and atheism that they have become hopeless and apathetic. So when they are presented with an alternative to what they have been told there entire lives that makes more sense with the world that is around them they reach for it. And the Lord is taking Thais for Him.


In light of that I am realizing how much these ideas of hopelessness and futility of life are prevalent back in the States and how much of a need there is to have what I now know presented to you all back home. It is such an encouragement to know, and I mean really know that the Bible is the spoken words of an infinite and personal God who sent Himself to die on a cross for our sins and raise himself from the dead so that we might have eternal life in Him. It is a message that changes and transforms lives. It is the entire reason for my existence and I think I am being led back to you guys for a little while to encourage you all.

This school and this trip are appearing to be very large turning points in my life. And it is because of you all that I am here. Thank you so much for supporting me. God Bless and I will post the rest of my pictures before I leave Thailand.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe It really helps to get the updates.. Happy New year We love you and are praying for you lots... It sounds amazing..Great pictures..Love Mom Dad and Rachel.. You remind us what is the most important Jesus