Thailand Update after 1 month

 Wow this month flew by. A little run down for you guys on Thailand. Please be in prayer for this country. As I am sure many of you know from watching the news there have been protestors you have been occupying two of Thailand's biggest airports. They have been shut down for a week now and by the time the protestors leave, when ever that is, it will still take them a week to open the airports again because they have to repair things and check everything. There are two groups. One anti government and one pro government. Thailand has been facing a big economic crisis and there is huge fear that this shutting down of the airports is going to devastate Thailand. The anti-government protestors will not leave the airport until the prime minister steps down. This is called a coup where they try to over run the government. It has been happening for the last 6 months but this is the worst it has gotten. There has been grenades I believe it is something like 6 people killed and over 50 injured some sevearly. Be in prayer for this country because there is a lot more going on as well not just what is happening with the air ports. That is just a little bit of what is happening, if you want to know more just look it up on google.

  It has been two weeks since I have written and man a lot of things have happened. A cool little story that you can praise God for is, me and Caleb have been praying that we will meet some guys. There are a lot of girls here and a strong lack of girls especially in the church. Well God answered that prayer. I want to tell you about this little coffee shop that is in the middle of these dormitorys for the University. This women from the church here opened this coffee shop. It is a long story on how she got it but it was truly from God. Anyways she rents this building and it has a spirit house rite by it as well. The owner of the building has kept it there. It is a pretty famous idol because someone won 10 million baht by praying to this idol. So a lot of people come to this idol to pray and there this woman named Pi Ghay is there with her bible, praying. It is just a total light in a dark place kind of thing, it is awesome what she has going on there. Anyways we went there for coffee and she told us about these 6 people who want to hear about Jesus, who he is, what he is about. Nothing to big but just want to know a bit about the gospel. Which is amazing. And we asked her, well are any of them guys, she said yah they all are. So praise God for that, nothing wrong with girls but I need a few more guys around me. I believe the spirit will move in there hearts when they hear it and please pray for there souls that there hearts will be open and that something will trigger in the soul. We have just developed relationship with them. It is sweet, for instance today we played soccer with him and a bunch of his friends and we are going to try to make it a routine thing to just go and play soccer with them and even through that simple thing, developing relationships with them, we will get the chance to tell them about Jesus. Every thursday we are going to have a cell group at this coffee shop, so please be in prayer for that. A cell group is just where we do some worship and talk about Jesus and fellowship together. 

 Now to Bethel. There are always tons for me to talk about here. I am sorry if this is to long for you as I know you guys are very busy with your lives. But God is doing unreal things there! Let me try to summerize it shortly. 5 people have come to christ there in the last 2 weeks. The first week we went to the cell group there, there was about 10 older people and about 15 kids. Last wednesday there must of been 20 adults and 25 kids. It is unreal how the spirit is moving in that area. This sunday we had the first sunday church service in Bethel. That was amazing. We just all came together to praise the name of Jesus together. Praise God for what he is doing there. Keep praying, I just imagine how many people are praying for Bethel, and they are definitely being answered. A big thing you can pray as well is not necessarily for more people but for growth. Lots of people is great but its nothing if there not growing. I pray that these people coming to Christ will be real and authentic. As they grow closer to God and the spirit changes there hearts more and more people are going to be impacted. 

 I am going to finish with this. On friday we learnt a bit more about Budhism. We also went to this budhist temple where I saw some freaky stuff. Just a little back ground on Budhism. The Budhism in North America, well they do not really follow it like the people here. It is deffinetly a lot more serious here. The thing that breaks my heart about it is there is so little hope for them. We went to this temple and we went through this place called Hell where we saw all these statues of punishments that Buddhist people believe they will get when they commit a certain sin. You can see these pictures on my facebook page, but I worn you they are quite disturbing I tried to save you from the really bad ones. They hope that if they pay money to these spirits that there merit will be recognized and therefore won't be punished for this certain sin. Let me tell you all that if this were real we would all be screwed. They do not know for sure if there merit is ever enough. It is so opposite to the christianity and the gospel. They believe that they have to do good things, good works and then the spirits will see that. There are spirit houses everywhere. It is tough stuff. They are stuck in this bondage of never knowing if they are good enough. We are told that no one is good enough to enter the kingdom of heaven. We are also told that our good works are filthy rags. There is NOTHING we can do we are essentially screwed. Here is the gospel, Jesus abolished that. That who ever will come and accept him, will inherit eternal life. The only way is through Jesus Christ. There it is, people want truth, people are always looking for self help, there it is Jesus. No he won't make your life easier, not at all. Life will start to make scence. I mean everything in this life is meaningless, the only thing that has meaning is God. He is the only thing that will fulfill your heart. Everything else is just temporary. You know, Praise Jesus that he died for us. We do not have to worry if we are going to hell or heaven. We know through Jesus we are forgiven. Jesus knows we cannot do it on our own. He knows and I am pretty sure every one knows that. It is just weather or not we want to accept it. My heart breaks for the people here, they never know if they are good enough. And the answer is no they aren't, no one is ever good enough. It is only through Jesus and through Jesus I guarantee you your heart will be transformed. Every soul needs a saviour. Remember that as you walk down your hallway at school or when your at work. What ever you do remember, there soul needs a saviour. That saviour is Jesus.

Thank you for your contiunal prayers. Keep praying for Bethel, for TLC, for the 6 guys, and for me and my team. Praise God, glorify his name in everything you do.

Josh

Listen to this song, it is a powerful song and remember is as you go about your day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqxmQ_42KhY

 

Week 3 in Thailand

 Alrite so this last week flew by. Time seems to be going like crazy. I cannot believe it has been two and a half months since I have started this journey. This week was a good week for me. There has been challenges going on with in the team but God continue's to reveal himself to me. I first want to talk about how three people came to christ this week. Last friday a girl named Gem accepted christ. It was an amazing thing to see and be a part of. What was really encouraging is she said the thing that got her was when we went to the beach and we had a time of prayer and she just so happened to be there. She said when she herd us pray it moved her. Now that was crazy for me because that was the last thing I was even thinking about. It is so amazing how God can be working in peoples hearts when you don't even know it and he can be using you at anytime. So praise the Lord for that, she accepted christ last friday. She has asked us to pray for her, so I would also ask that you pray for her as well. Again her name is Gem and at home she has to wy the idols (which is almost like bowing down). She also has the duty to feed the idols. Now a lot of people in Thailand do not have the freedom to worship God like we do. Some people get beaten by there parents or completely seperated from there family, they get cut off. She has asked prayer that God will give her the strength to overcome this fear of her parents. Her parents do not know she is a christian that is why she has to keep wying the idols. If she does not then her parents will be very angry and she will have to explain her self, which she wants but as you can imagine it is really hard. 

 Praise God that last night two more people accepted Christ in the Bethel Church. Your prayers are helping thank you. Unfortunately this sudden Nauseous, headache sickness came over me yesterday. It was only a day thing but I had to stay behind. It is amazing to see fruit being produced, wow praise the Lord. Keep praying that more and more people will come to Christ in this country. It seems like the holy spirit is spreading like wild fire.

 This week we also started our english classes. So far we have about 7 students and it should grow as time goes on. As people learn english we are also developing relationships. Through that we hope that they will hear the gospel. What is encouraging is that Gem became a christian because she started relationships with people through english classes. Please pray for that, not necessarily people. That is not what matters. Pray that relationships will grow deeper as they have already started. 

 As for our team, there have been challenges rising up. Some people are going through some things so just be in prayer for our team. This verse really stuck out to me in Romans 15:5-7

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

 This is huge for me and should be for you. We need to treat each other with the attitude of Christ Jesus in order for us to see the glory of God. If our team can treat each other with the attitude of Christ Jesus how much more can you do out in the world. People will see that and be encouraged and want to know more. I want this for our team, please pray that God will teach us how to have the attitude of Christ Jesus to one another.

 Thank you for all your prayers. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, in the dark and good times. Every soul needs a savior lets pray together that people will seek the savior out.

Your brother in Christ

Josh

 

Bethel Church

These last 10 days have been amazing. I last wrote when I came back from Pattaya. Two nights ago we went to a place about an hour away from where I live called Bachin Sal. It is a very poor village. Here is a picture on how poor it is. This one family had to swim to there bathroom in dirty water. They live over a creek/swamp kind of deal. This place is POOR! They have NOTHING! It is one thing hearing about it and then seeing it. Some of them have Jesus though and that is so much more than what Bill Gates or Oprah has. So much more, so much more to live for.

This one lady named May lived pretty much outside. I don't know how to explain it, but she had absolutely nothing. Well a month ago, a team from prince George came and built her a house. She was extremely blessed. We got to paint her house that day. We also met some kids from the village. Man, to here what they go through will break your heart. Here is the amazing thing about this village. Ok so about a year ago there were no believers in that village. A church plant was started there. Now there is a church being built in that village and people are coming to christ. We met in this home where we worshiped God and opened the bible with about 15 other believers! All these people are new believers. Just think about in another year what God can do! We got to witness this church being built it was amazing what God is doing. Praise the Lord. There are so many people here who have not herd the Gospel and when they do they cannot ignore it. I am so excited that we will be getting to live in this area for a month and serving along side this church in Bachen sal. God is moving, the spirit is moving in that village. These people have been treated so poorly and have so little that when they find out that there is something more out there they are amazed. Someone who loves them deeply and gives them hope. I am so excited in what God is doing here. Don't think that you have to be in a different country to serve God. Do it where you are. Please do not just read this and think, o that is awesome praise God. Be a light in a dark place, where ever you are. There is so much evil in this world but evil cannot overcome us. John 1:5 " The light shines in darkness and darkness has not overcome it". Start up bible studies with your friends, grow together. Tell your friends about Jesus. Invited them to bible studies, even pray for them. Mark 6:11 "And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. "
I have seen awesome things here, people are coming to christ only because people are telling them. So many people in Vancouver have herd of Christians but they have no idea what Jesus is about. It serves as a great injustice that somewhere along the line someone Hi-jacked the gospel and changed it to a stupid religion about what you wear, how you act, what you do. It is so much more than that. In fact that is the opposit in what God taught. You know the people who taught that were the people who killed Jesus. Lets go christians, we serve an amazing God, lets go, 3-6-5. 

If you all could pray for Bachin Sal ( I am totally spelling it wrong) 
Pray that more people will come to christ there. Pray for the Bethel Church. As well pray for our team, there have not been any big problems so far, Also for language. I am learning a lot, it is deffinitly a really hard language but your prayers are helping because we are deffinetly progressing. thanks for your prayers, keep praying. 

Here is a song to listen to. This song was actually made in Pattaya, Thailand. The place I told you about last week. If you were at Passion you have herd this song, it is called "God of this City"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOUh87QMOAQ

Pattaya

 Last night my heart broke for this town Pattaya. I just want to write about this because it is good to be aware of what is happening so you can pray for this town. As well God taught me some things that is not going to be popular, you may not even like me saying this. Pattaya the biggest sex trade city in Thailand and one of the biggest in the world. I saw Old white men, with little boys and girls. Prostitutes, tons of homosexuality and a lot of Transsexuals. This was one of the darkest towns I have stepped into. It was really hard to see and I was disgusted. Although something I learned that maby we all need to here is God loves them. God loves the pedophile, God loves the prostitute, God loves the gays, God loves the transsexuals, just as much as He loves me. Who am I to judge them when I am just as bad. Sin is sin, the only thing that separates me from them is Jesus Christ. By accepting Jesus Christ I am forgiven. Please be in prayer for the city of Pattaya. Pray that God's spirit will move in that town. The thing that was so amazing was in the middle of the mall there about 100 Christians gathered together and we worshiped. It was a concert. It was absolutely unreal for me. The fact that we are in one of the most perverted cities in the world praising the name of Jesus. God is working in Pattaya and pray that even more people will come to know Christ, even the pedophile. Just think, ALL are accepted into the kingdom of God if they just turn from there evil ways. How amazing is that. How amazing is God. Praise the name of Jesus, forgive us Lord for we are not worthy. 

November 6

Hey everyone. Are team has arrived safely to Thailand. Our first two days were really nice as we stayed in a hotel. The first day we arrived then went straight to the life centre where we met a lot of the church at the life centre. On Tuesday we arrived in Angsila where me and Caleb will be sleeping for 7 months. Angsila is a small fishing village, about 10 minutes away from Bang sen, which is where the Life Centre is. Angsila is an interesting place. It is deffinetly not Vancouver. But I like it, we get a bigger expierience living here. We shower with buckets, so bucket showers and that is how we flush as well. We quickly learnt that it is very loud. They literally go to bed at 1 am and then wake up at 5 am so ear plugs are going to be my best friend. As well at 6:30 am they have a Budhist chant. There are speakers around this village and a Monk does some chant over this village. It is a very Budhist part of town. We have not encountered any rats yet but I am anticipating them at anytime. I know I make it sound really bad but it is a sweet place.   It is also rite by the orphanage. We met a lot of the orphan kids on Sunday at the life centre. They are so cool. Every morning we take a Sung Tow, which is a pick up truck made into a bus kind of and takes us to the life centre. This picture below is Angila, rite outside of the church we are living at.

So yah, our first 4 days have been great and God has blessed us a lot with putting amazing people in front of us. The people here are amazing, you have to experience it yourself to understand. I know it has only been four days but already you can see the difference in attitudes with Thai people and North American. We deffiently feel welcomed. Already I feel like I have been here longer than I have just because of the relationships that have already developed here. Something that is a difficult thing being in Thailand is language. The Thai language is the 5th hardest language to learn in the world. We have learnt basic frases such as...Saw wadee Krap, which meens hello. Sabai Dee Mai Krap, which meens how are you. Khun Chuu Aroi Krap...Which meens what is your name. We learnt a few more. Also they have a different script then us. We have had 2 Thai classes so if you can be in prayer for language learning that would be good. We realize that we are not going to be able to speak Thai fluently by the end of our 7 months. It took the missionaries here a full year of 8 hour a day classes to start to be able to speak fluent Thai. We are all passionate about wanting to be able to speak as much of the language as possible. I appreciate all your prayers, keep praying as we have entered in this place where nothing is familuar to us. I will give you all a full update in a couple weeks as I get settled in more to this new culture. Love you guys, if you could send me your emails as well that would be great, my email is j_money_90@hotmail.com

Prajao Oai Pohn

God Bless

Josh

Thailand

 So I arrived to Thailand yesterday at about 2:30 pm in Thailand, which is 11:30 pm in Vancouver. Jet leg is deffinetly in affect. As soon as we stepped out, we felt that hot air. Its a different kind of heat here, I kind of like it, but it is extremely hot. It is still kind of surreal that we are here but these last two days have been awesome.

 Yesterday, we got to Chonburi, than went straight to church at the life centre. That was interesting, we just got off a 22 hour plane ride and it was about 4 pm in Thailand about 2 am our time. We were pretty tired. It was sweet though, we got to see the break dancers, they are so good. We met a guy named Bank, he was sweet, he taught us some moves. I found out I really do not have the body for it, it just will not bend that way and I have no rhythm. After church and getting to know the people there we went to our rooms and past rite out.

 Day 2. This is was an awesome day. We had breakfast than went and got foot massages. Dave Sinclair who is our missionary here, part of Team 2000, he told us we have to get foot massages and go to the beach today. So we did. We got foot massages and this was the highlight of my day. I had never laughed so hard in a long time. We were speaking with these ladies giving us the massages, finding out how to say words and stuff. They were laughing really hard at I think me and calebs hair on our legs, cause we are so hairy? I think I dunno. This one thing happened where I was trying to say I dont understand in Thai. Well I ended up saying I love you. As a joke she closed the curtain and I freaked out and then we all started laughing really hard, it was really funny. Anyway, the massage was amazing, but the best part was just having fun with these ladies we had never met, it was awesome. Later that day, we met this sweet girl named Uh Oh. Now if you are wondering why these people have names like this it is because when they are young or born not to sure, but there parents give them nickly names and you call them that for the rest of there life. It is kind of cool. So we met Bank, Uh Oh, Wow and Art. And this other guy briefly named Odd. Uh Oh showed us around a bit. We went to Monkey Hill, where we saw tons of monkeys which was cool cause I had never seen a wild monkey before. I also realized they have tons of wild dogs, that just wonder around. After that we went to the beach. Man that was awesome, the ocean was so warm. It was beautiful, I loved it. We also ended up going to the night market, expierienced some Thai culture it was alot of fun. Yah I am really tired, so I am going to bed, just thought I would give you all a little update of what my first days in Thailand were like.

Josh

October 29

 Man, this morning was a great morning. Our team, and Brazil woke up at 6 30 this morning to go to a prayer meeting, with the elderly people at Central heights church. Amazing people, than after they took us to A & W for breakfest. It was just amazing to connect with people who have gone through life, they are in there 70's-even 90's. They had amazing stories and they just loved on us. I got to pray with them as well. There is something special when older generations and younger generations can just come together to praise God. Just through talking and praying. It was a really cool morning. 

 I know I said my last update would be the last one till I am in Thailand but God has helped me realize something. If you read my very first blog, I talked about how I was walking and these versus of Luke came to mind I had herd earlier that day. 

 Luke 12 verse 24 and Jesus is talking and says "Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than birds!" Then later in verse 28 Jesus says "But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith." 

 That day was one of my most memorable days on my training. God had never spoken to me so clearly before. For me that message was clear, that I needed to put my trust in God. 

 Then the second week of Trek training, God spoke to me again on the silent retreat. I went back to that scripture in Luke from the first week, I was told Josh, either give me ALL or NOTHING. If your going to trust in me give me all of it, not just little pieces, give me EVERYTHING, SURRENDER TO ME.

 Now 6 weeks later, I have found myself having to put all my trust in Him. I am going to be going on a plane in 2 days, to a country that I am unfamiliar with, don't know how to speak the language, don't know fully what I will be doing, all I know is I am going on a plane on Saturday Morning. And Brazil team, well they don't even know when there going to leave or what they will be doing in the next month. The only real thing I can do, is put my trust in my father, that He has control and his way is good. Now if you connect the two, surrendering and trusting. Well in order to surrender, you have to trust. How can you surrender your all to someone if you don't trust that person. And the opposite, if you trust, than you have to surrender because if you aren't surrendering you are obviously not trusting. That is the theme for me in the last two months, TRUST and SURRENDER.