...i just can't find the words

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are 

Who knew blogging would be so hard.

But really. I use to think that I liked words and writing but now I’m not so sure. I want desperately to find words for everything that has entered my heart in the past 180 hours. I think in my struggle of wanting the perfect sentence or post that helps you understand what is happening in Thailand is showing me much about God. God is bigger than my blog post. Feel free to laugh. But it has been a battle on how to remember and process this trip...and it is only day four. There is no way to describe what God is doing. I am seeing more now than ever that every second of my life has been transforming me for these days in Thailand. Even the time here is changing and molding me into the women God envisioned when He knitted me together. 

I pray that your heart is encouraged as you read and that the Holy Spirit would help you rejoice in what is happening here.

First I love the ccp team. We haven’t had much team time but everyone is so encouraging. I love the stories (often hilarious) when we come back the the dorm after time with some of the Thai’s. It is a privilege that we are together in this. It blows my mind that the Lord designed this team in such a unique way. I can’t wait to keep learning from my brothers and sisters. Second the Thai christians are the most encouraging people I have ever met. Their passion for the Lord and love for Christ brings tears to my eyes. I am overwhelmed that I get to spend this summer alongside them. They understand the darkness of this country and have faith that God will bring light to Thailand. From death to life, their testimonies are powerful and beautiful. It is such a blessing to see the Thai christians and their heart for all nations to know Christ. They understand giving their life away. 

Sunday in worship we sang the same songs, they sang in thai and we sang in english. I get chills thinking about it. My heart will treasure that moment forever. Pretty positive most of the team has blogged about those minutes of worship. In a book I read before this trip it said “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.” Sunday, we were satisfied, He was glorified. God’s glory...would be the only words. Third ministry in Thailand is not what I thought....well honestly I have no idea what I thought it would be like. It has been exciting, exhausting, and intentional to the extreme. our focus is meeting the freshman (10,000 this year). Yeaaa. 

 Fourth the language. We are horrible at thai. They are patient, praise Jesus. 

In these first few days it has been an adjustment. Again I don’t know how to tell you all that is happing. I am blessed to be here, struggling, seeing sin, fighting it all while learning and sharing about the authority of Christ. Please pray for our team as we continue to minister. Pray that we would fix our eyes on Jesus, that we would count everything as lost besides knowing Him. Pray for health and a Thai meal we can stomach. 

learning how to love you,

Kathryn

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippines 3:12-14

sa-wat-dee kah

 we made it. our 'crazy' picture

Welcome to Thailand.

As much as I couldn’t believe we were leaving I can’t believe we are here. We have spent and entire day in Khon Kaen Thailand. One of the things I was most excited about this trip was that nothing would be familiar. Very true. Minus the extremely popular 7/11 and KFC...but even in the familiarity it is not like I can read anything once I get inside. As much as I want to remember every detail and tell you the trip moment by moment by brain won’t let me. I am thankful for teammates who have written about the details of the traveling. Maybe after the jet lag I can spend sometime with the memories. I do know the Thai’s have been the nicest most exciting people I have ever been around (yes I know it is only day one). My prayer is that what I see and experience will be processed through my heart with the truth of Jesus Christ.

 More is to come but I can’t force my eyes open any longer.

khob-kun-ka  (thank you in thai) for your prayers and support

learning how to love you,

Kathryn

hemmed in

 as I write the count down is as follows:

 57 hours until I board a plane with some of the best people on the planet.

104 hours until we arrive in Thailand.  

I cannot believe it. nope.

This time next week I will be in Thailand. I’m so excited. AHH so excited.

As thrilled, as I am to make new friends and experience God in new ways I have been having a hard time answering the reoccurring “are you ready?” question.

Ready- adjective

1. completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use// I think of Moses and his question when God calls him to go to Pharaoh “Who am I that I should go?” God responds: “I will be with you.” Sometimes I wonder if Moses didn’t hear what the bush said because he continues with excuses. Clearly he is incredibly worried and is not feeling the slightest bit prepared or in any sort of condition for what the Lord has asked. I pray that as believers however unprepared we “feel” for what God is calling us to do, Thailand, Malaysia, Africa, India, Destin FL, work, summer or school, that we would hear what God is saying “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” I pray our hope would be joyful and we would truly rest in the Lord being with us always.

2. duly equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose//read it again. I didn’t do any of those things all the credit goes to the Lord. but wow. equipped- because of Christ.  completed- in Christ. adjusted/arranged- by Christ. purpose- for Christ. The power of God  that raised Jesus from dead to alive…runs through my veins. I pray this summer the Lord brings me to a deeper understanding of that truth. His incredible and awesome power equips us to make Him known. Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."


3. willing// Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." Luke 1:38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her. Luke 22:42 “… not my will, but yours be done.”  Incredible examples of willingness to do whatever the Lord asks. Please Jesus mold my heart to be the same.

so…am I ready?

I suppose I answered that question when I surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. My life is not my own. I’m incredibly grateful and blessed beyond measure to be a part of the mystery of God. Purchased with the blood of Christ.

Summer 2011. we will never get another one like this, our lives will never be like they are now. Let us open our eyes and hearts to see the glory of our King!

I love you and so thankful to know you. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement.  Enjoy the summer and the greatness of our God.

-until Thailand-

Kathryn 

Clap your hands, all you nations!
Shout to God with cries of joy.
How awesome is the Lord most high,