Not Home Yet

It’s your first glimpse into a new world, a world that is home for many people but altogether mysterious to you.  A far-away feeling is a close companion much of the time.  Are you lost?  Here by mistake?  No, you have been brought here by One whom you love so deeply that you voluntarily become a stranger in order to offer many estranged loved ones a renewed relationship with the greatest Love of all.  This Love is also a new world, a mysterious Kingdom, and the King, Himself, has invited us to live with Him.  

"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.11-12 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."

1 Peter 2:9-12 (MSG)

Re-Thanking God for the Ants...

Our neighbor got some free entertainment yesterday as I flung the sandals off of my feet and hopped around frantically in front of our house.  Hundreds of red ants were pouring out of the soles of my sandals and attacking me for disturbing their new colony.  This left me dancing about desperately trying to brush them all off.  Our neighbor sat calmly and watched, but I know she must've had great stories to tell over dinner that night about the crazy "farang*" who lives next door.  

Today, the ants launched a second attack.  As I sat in a coffee shop attempting to study Thai, I noticed a burning sensation on my neck.  Itching and burning, I could feel the heat and swelling of mysterious bug bites.  Mysterious because the bites continued to appear but no bug could be found.  By the time I found my way to a mirror to investigate the situation, I had a least six red, swollen bites on my neck.  And then I saw him... a little red ant swinging like Tarzan from a strand of my hair, biting my neck with every swoop!  First, I felt like could've killed him!  Then, I did kill him.  And then I started thinking.  

Recently, I've been letting small things irritate me.  Exhibit A: Ants, very small and very irritating.  I have not been patient and my attitude has been terrible.  But I have been increasingly aware of my need for a more Godly perspective in day-to-day life.  These are the same ants that I have been at war with for the past six and a half months.  At the very beginning of this war I wrote a blog post about Phil's absurd prayer thanking God for the ants.  That was very humbling for me.  This afternoon I reread that blog post.  With my own words staring at me, I was once again convicted of the same sinful tendencies that brought about this confession the first time.  

I guess review is one of the keys to learning.  So here goes once again... 

Lord, thank you for the ants.  Open my eyes to see life from your perspective.  Teach me to walk in your peace, not swayed by everything that doesn't go my way.  I praise you that your grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12).  Amen.

*Farang is the Thai word for foreigner 

Our King

After a funny meeting on a country road, a neat, older Thai couple invited us back to their home.  Louis and Need served us chocolate milk and watermelon as we sat in their living room chatting.  They showed us photos of his days in the Thai military and their two kids graduating from college.  They proudly showed us a photo in which their daughter was receiving her diploma from the king of Thailand.  We commented on how special it was that she was with the king.  They pointed to a large portrait of the king hanging on their wall, and the husband put his hand on his heart and said, "He is our king!"  

Phil & Mr. Paitoon in his home and shop,
 photos of the king in the background

Today we met a Thai gentleman who is one of the most esteemed boat building instructors in Thailand.  He is very old at this point in his life and has had many honors in Thailand and abroad.  Mr. Paitoon, the master boat builder, showed us an impressive gallery of  photos of boats that he had built over the years.  Several of these photos featured the Thai king sailing in Mr. Paitoon's boats!  Other photos showed Mr. Paitoon receiving honors and awards from the king and queen.  He proudly told us that the king had called him a "skilled craftsman".  

I was struck by the evident love and admiration each of these people had for the king.  They were honored to have him as their king.  Any encounter with the king was worth boasting about.  Later, I was relaying this story to a friend when it hit me: why don't we feel this way about our King?  

In scripture, Paul boasts a lot.  He boasts about his encounters with the King, about the work the King has done, and about the promises our King has made to us.  Paul even says in Philippians 1:25-27, 

"... and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  

 I want to change.  I want to boast about my King and talk about my encounters with Him.  Let's live lives worthy of the Gospel of Christ, and let's boast about our King!  

In Christ Alone,

Kate

Who is Praying for Her?

I took this photo at a market tonight.  When we got home and I looked at this image, I was struck by so many things; one of which was the question that this post poses:

Who is praying for this little girl?

Is anyone praying specifically for the man selling mangoes on our street; the woman in the park; our neighbor who just spent three weeks  making merit at the temple; or for this beautiful little girl?  

Within a culture that has been so saturated by Buddhism and animistic beliefs, who is really praying for the Thai people?  

Who is on their knees, even on their faces, 

for this nation?  Am I?

We serve the great I AM, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God who loves us and sacrifices for us rather than demanding sacrifices of us.  We serve a God who delights in us and longs for us to enjoy Him.  The God we serve answers our prayers with even more than we could ask or imagine.  Our God is a God of forgiveness and healing, which is what each of us needs.  

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." {2 Chronicles 7:14}

In our February update video, we said that we strongly feel that we are called to intercede on behalf of the Thai people.  We want to cover our neighbors in prayer, and those we see around town.  We want this nation to be covered in prayer. 

Please join us on our knees as we wait expectantly for the Lord to blow our minds by His mighty work here.  

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  {Ephesians 3:20-21}

And please pray for this little girl.  I don't know her name or anything about her, but our Father in Heaven knitted her together artfully in her mother's womb.  He knows and loves her.  He longs for her.  Pray that she would come to know Jesus, the One who gave His life for her.  

In Christ Alone,

Kate

Local Commotion

After one terrifying van ride from Lopburi to Bangkok, which included 25 people in one 12 passenger van, we have been much more inclined to take the train for our travels.  This mode of transportation has a lot of character -- many unexpected things take place that are worth sharing.  Here's a snapshot of your everyday train ride.  

Going Frugal

Third class seating on the Thai train is free for Thai people.  For the "farang" (foreigner) it costs up to 24 Baht (that's less than $1 per ticket).  We like this price, so we always try for third class.  This price guarantees a ride on the train, not a seat.  There is no air conditioning in this class, but there are rotating fans on the ceiling and the windows open offering a nice breeze.  

Dress Casual

The only downside of those nice breezy windows, is that this seems to be the season when farmers are burning their fields.  Don't wear your nice clothes on the train because you usually get powdered by some ashes as you ride through farm country.  

Evidence of a Collectivist Culture

The West is very individualistic in many ways, but here in Thailand that is not the case.  This becomes surprisingly evident on the train when total strangers take us under their wing.  Every time we have ridden the train, those around us have completely rearranged seating to ensure that Phil and I get to sit together.  They also take the time to find out where we plan to get off so that they can make sure we know when we've reached that location.  

Spare Change Pays Off

Don't forget to have 5 Baht (Thai currency) ready to hand out the window when the train stops at the Ban Phachi Junction.  In return you receive a cup of amazing coconut ice cream right through your window!  Brilliant marketing strategy.  (Not to mention that first and second class do not get this because their are sealed in their air conditioned cars).  

Ride Hungry

Aside from the ice cream, there are several dining options on the train.  Vendors walk up and down the aisles selling fresh fruit, cold drinks, and various dishes that are Thai specialties.  

Hot Season Caution for Train Passengers

Have we mentioned that it gets hot here?  Well, let us tell you that it gets really HOT. This past week a train derailed, and the cause: some news reports claim the weather was so hot that it affected the stability of the tracks.  There were only minor injuries due to this accident.  

People Watching

Watching the other people on the train... always enjoyable and a cultural learning experience.  We get to chat with lots of new people, and learn more about how Thai people interact.  We also get to use our language skills which can be great fun, and a good motivator to keep learning.  

One favorite memory from the train was watching an older woman buy a hammock from a train vendor.   She skillfully bartered for a lower price and concealed all emotion during the transaction.  Once the vendor was gone, another lady asked how much the hammock costed.  The older woman's face was priceless as she proudly announced the price of her purchase.  

STAY TUNED for more snapshots of life in Thailand.

First Update Video from the Field!

Encountering Push-back

"Keep Thailand Buddhist and leave your God in the good old USA :("

That is the comment that was posted not even 24 hours after uploading our update video onto Vimeo.  As we send out our first update video, we have also become increasingly aware of the resistance the Gospel will receive (and consequently, we will also receive).  

Satan knows that Jesus is pouring out His Spirit, and Satan will do all he can to hinder that work.  Please pray fervently for the Lord's work to prosper in this country.  

_________________________________________

So, we had fun filming some shots from our everyday life here... we thought we'd share with you our first video update from the field!

Bookhamer Update Video Feb 2013 from Phil & Kate Bookhamer on Vimeo.

The Testimony of a Lifetime

Some people just have incredible testimonies.  I always wished that mine was more exciting, but I guess there are blessings in having a boring testimony, too.  

Long bus trips apparently bring out the best in us...

Worship at Singburi Market Church

 Phil and I started going to a small church in Singburi, a town that is 15 miles away from our town.  Although 15 miles doesn't seem like much by American standards, it still takes us an hour to get there by bus.  Even though the Market Church, as it is commonly called, is fairly small, it's got a lot of passion; even charisma!  

But this post isn't about the church itself, it's about the man who came to speak last Sunday.  He looks white on the outside, but he is perhaps just as Thai as the nationals.  He doesn't speak much English, so some of the "hows" and "whys" and "whens" are a bit foggy.  But here are the snapshots of his testimony that we know...

His mother passed away when he was young, and he was abandoned by his father into a Thai orphanage where he was raised.  

Some time later, he discovered a mass on his throat.  I'm not sure if it was cancerous or not, but we know it was serious.  This medical issue took him to a hospital where he was treated by a doctor who was also a missionary.  

This man has now lived a fruitful life as a missionary among the Thais, bringing the message of healing and salvation to the people he loves.  

Isn't it amazing that the Lord used a very serious health issue to bring this man to salvation?  And that the Lord is still redeeming what must be one of the most painful experiences of this man's life, being abandoned by his own father.  Had he not been raised in Thailand, he would not have such insight into the culture, nor would he have the linguistic fluency of a native Thai speaker.  

Praise the Lord that He is a God of healing and transformation.  Please pray for this man to continue being a living testimony of the Lord's redemptive work.  

A Time of Suffering

       We enjoy sending photos and stories about the good times, but this post has taken me a long time to write.  I have tried to write again and again.  It seems so discouraging sometimes that I have had to ask Kate to do most of the writing.  To be honest, if it were not for the Lord and Kate, I think I would have left Thailand a few weeks ago.
       I anticipated that suffering would come as we moved to Thailand, but I imagined it in different ways.  I thought it would be mainly physical.  The reality has been physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological attacks.  These have pushed me to the point of saying, "Lets go home.  It's not worth it.  It is not worth loosing sanity, friends, health, our lives, or our marriage."  Times like these are when we are really tried and we have to reach the conclusion that the gospel of Christ is worth it all.  When we give our all, he alone will sustain us.  He will keep our sanity, lives, marriages, friends, health and everything else in the palm of his hand.

       Through all this I will say that I rejoice that this past month has been rough because it has truly strengthened my walk in Jesus, my love for God, and my love for Kate.  When Scripture says that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3), it is deeper truth than we can realize.  Although spiritual attacks have come, Jesus has been using them as a refining process in my life.  In part, I wish it would have come in a different way, but I am thankful because it has caused me to really cling to Christ.  I have learned, more than ever, that we have victory in Christ Jesus alone.  Jesus has given us the victory in him over sin, death, and everything else that tries to pull us away from him.
       I have gained new insights into his word and what it is to be free in Jesus.  The Lord has shown me grace and mercy, and his word has been more active and alive in my life than I can ever recall.  I rejoice and praise the Lord that he allows us to suffer for a short time that we may see his glory and know that he is truly the way, the truth, and the life.
       God is good.  Seeing Christ through Kate has given me a better understanding of the grace and mercy of our Lord.  So, to end this somber post, times are tough and it is tough to rejoice, but we will because God is faithful always.  We will fight with all we have for our lives and the lives of others, for the gospel and salvation that is in Jesus Christ.  He is worth it all.  Persevere in the faith.

Slaves to Christ,
Phil and Kate

The Missionary Survival Kit

"How do missionaries survive life on the field?"

Just in case this question has been plaguing you lately, we thought it would be useful to give you a picture just a few of our field survival strategy.  

"Reliable" Transportation (a.k.a. Bikes)

Pest Control: Ant Chalk

Pest Control: Bug Zapper

Ants... to keep us thankful

A vicious guard dog... 

Protection (a.k.a. Slingshot)

Lots of naps!

Repair Kit: Glue, paint, twine...

Creativity (a.k.a. Pinterest)

A Few Additional Items: 

A WORN OUT BIBLE

• "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." -2 Corinthians 4:17

LOTS OF PRAYER

GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

AND GOOD MOTTOS

• "Tie some twine around it... that makes anything look better..." -Kate
• "May pen rai" -Thai for "No worries"