goodbye and hello

Today, the longest day ever, I said goodbye to Thailand and my Valentour adventures. I woke at 4:15 am Thai time and it is currently 11 pm Pittsburgh time and I am still awake. I crossed the international date line somewhere in there and gained an extra 12 hours...exhausted but still standing. As I am able, I may write more but I just wanted to publically let everyone know that I am safe and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and words of encouragement!

Now I hit the ground running at New Wilmington Mission Conference tomorrow morning...ready or not...

signing off.

love and God bless,

beth

one final tidbit- on our last day in Bangkok Katie and I headed in to the redlight district to talk to a woman at a really cool ministry called "night light bangkok" (shout out to Chip who told me about it) ...here is their website, check it out! www.nightlightbangkok.com

children of the light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light. ~Ephesians 5:8

While in Sibu, Malaysia I had the opportunity to explore the town center/quad which was very close to my guest house. I was able to explore, get my own meals, and even find a place to get wireless internet and cheap mochas. On my final night when my host asked if she could drop me off a few blocks from my guest house because of traffic and one way streets and because she had a meeting, I of course said yes.

Not only was it dark but it was also busy. There was a cultural fair going on and there were wall to wall people and distractions of every shape and color. I quickly got disoriented and had no clue how to get to my home. As the fear and worry started to rise up in me and I continued to try to get home by my own knowledge, the panic started to come upon me. Then the realization hit: my guest house was right next to a Methodist church- and all Malaysian Methodist Churches have a cross on the steeple. As I searched the sky for the cross I knew was there, I felt comfort and peace. I quickly found my way “home” through the beacon of the cross.

Now I reflect on that story as I sit in Thailand, notably a place of great spiritual oppression and darkness. For those of you who do not believe this- CS Lewis said that the greatest accomplishment Satan ever did was convince us that he did not exist. Over and over again I am hearing stories of spiritual darkness in this beautiful yet broken land. I confess in this, a moment of transparency, that I have fallen prey to this as well.

My sister joined me in Thailand for the last leg of my journey. We have spent much needed time catching up, laughing, and playing together. It was not until last night that I realized ashamedly that I had let my time with God completely suffer in my time in Thailand. I realized that I have been completely spoiled traveling alone as well as living alone in the states. As life gets more complicated I must recall these moments both in Malaysia and Thailand. In the darkness of my life, physical as well as spiritual I need to look to the cross. I need to look towards Jesus for my direction. And when I have not, I am not walking as a Child of the light. The following verses in Ephesians continues “for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth…” –how can I teach the Truth if I am not in it daily.

As I am humbled by this realization and yet again reminded of the need to be brought to my knees day after day, I am praying for Thailand. I ask that you join me in this adventure of prayer. I can tell you of many organizations and workers who would covet your prayers as they work to bring the kingdom of God a little closer in this beautiful but dark nation, to be the light representing the Light.

love and God Bless,

beth

sister time

For those of you who did not know, my sister joined me in Thailand. In all actuality she beat me here...she arrived on Sunday and I joined her this morning. We are currently staying with one of her former students and his wife- this picture is of Katie holding their adorable daughter (who I may be carrying on as my carry on luggage if they are not careful) named Psalm. We are well and it is good to catch up. She is currently sleeping next to me on the couch because she does not want me to wake her when I go...some things never change- even in Thailand!

Old arguments and new friends

Two things have happened in the past few days that have forced me to pause and think. First of all I have gotten in some"discussions," (as my uncle max and father would say.) I met a man last night who began the conversation by asking to see my Bible- he proceeded to read through it (mainly the introduction and not the actual biblical text) for about 20 minutes. Finally he asked me if I actually believed this. It turns out that althogh I was at a Christian gathering, technically a mission outreach to an "indigenous people group" this man was attending, for the "social" aspects of the events. This man rode on a bus for three hours each way to sit and listen to a preacher he did not believe and argue with me, someone he just met. As I sat and discussed creation, nature of scripture and God etc I realized the age old truth: no one can be argued into the kingdom of God. Augustine said it 1700 years ago and it is still true today. This man wanted me to come up with some clever level of wits to prove that my belief was worthy. In the end, it did not matter. Although he claimed my believe was "wishful thinking" and indoctrination, his lack of faith is just as much a faith in his own reason and science as mine is in a God that is beyond my reason. In the end our presuppositions both are a kind of faith. Despite this, this man demands that God prove Himself to him or he will not believe- yet he refuses to ask God to do so. I return to the truth that me and my words will never save anyone but only the inbreaking of God and the softening (or warming, if you prefer) of ones heart. I understand now why so many of my professors shy away from apologetics more than I ever have before.

Despite this, there are also conversations that make my heart smile. I met a young woman named Liz many years ago when we were camp counselors. We hit it off immediately and have been fast friends. We remain friends today although we have only been in each others presences for less than 2 weeks of our entire lives. I have met other amazing new friends and am touched by their kindness and amazed at how quickly we are able to mesh and enjoy deep conversations of faith as well as joyous laughter. I pray that like my friend Liz many years ago some of my new friends are the lasting variety- that this is just the beginning, not the end!

Now, I am in route to Thailand...only a few more hours in Malaysia which is sad. BUT I will see my sister in a few short hours- she is joining me in Thailand and is already there waiting for me (i am sure with baited breath, right)

signing off- love and GodBless,

beth

the things I will miss

Here are some final images of some of the girls at AG Home!

I cannot believe how fast this trip is flying! I have reached my 6th of 7 countries. I have spent practically one week of my 6 sitting in airplanes and airports. Although I have had many moments when I have been “babysat” by very generous individuals, I have also had much alone time to think, read, and pray. As of late I have been thinking of the things I will miss when I return as well as the trade off the occurs for those things.
I will miss the hospitality of complete strangers and the sufficiency of simply knowing someone they know being enough to take care of a stranger. It is amazing how knowing one or two people can be so effective in the body of Christ. I will miss the greetings of people all of the world. I kind of stick out like a sore thumb and all want to greet me. Although some are not sincere, many truly are and want to talk and show me hospitality. I currently miss the silence of old friends, being able to sit and not talk, not explain myself, not make small talk unless I want to. I also miss those same old friends and the ease of conversation that flows when we are together. I miss hugs!
I will miss the variety of foods my taste buds have experienced. I already know I will have to venture to the Korean restaurant in Pittsburgh for a little Kim Chi, Bulgogi, etc. and I will miss mangos terribly as I have gotten used to eating them in every country at little or no expense (unlike the US). I currently miss a steaming cup of coffee (that can accompany or not accompany those old friends) as well as simply cooking for myself.
I will miss the fervor of worship in various countries and contexts. It is amazing to see people of different languages and races crying out to my same God. The world and the Church is not so far apart after all! I miss worshipping in English. Not only do I miss this, but I especially miss the gifted leadership of friends like Kelli, Megan, and Lori who God has gifted in many ways to lead me into God’s presence through worship: song and prayer.
I will miss the significant time to brood. Being alone for 6 weeks has been good, challenging, lonely, exhilarating and much much more. I have enjoyed the time to think and pray. My journal is full of thoughts and prayers more so than I ever do journaling when I am at home. I will miss this time alone because I know that in America the schedule will fill up quickly whether I want it to or not. I have had more time to read than 3 years in seminary (reading that which I want to, I should say). I will miss the quiet time. I currently miss the down time. The time when my mind does not have to be working in overdrive. I have never thought much about American culture, especially pop culture but I miss the opportunity that my culture affords to just shut off for a short time. I look forward to an evening of a movie or two, a large bag of popcorn, and darkness, no thoughts, or broodings, but just some down time (any takers from my Pittsburgh people, let me know) is welcome.
Although I have not missed my cellular phone and enjoyed the freedom from it I also have missed the option of having the ability to call my friends and family. I have spent more than 6 weeks apart from my family in the past but I appreciate so much more the ability to call just to say I am thinking of them or tell them a funny or profound story. Although I hope and pray I do not revert back to the American way of having the phone glued to my ear I do look forward to catching up with my friends and family in the US upon my return.
I leave you with some pictures from my time- this has been a long blog because it may be my last here in Malaysia. I have limited internet access until Monday. I join my sister (who leaves 7 am Eastern Standard time to go to Thailand) on Tuesday the 7th of July…until then…

love and God Bless,

beth

ps. as I write this "I will survive" is playing on the radio in the office I am in- STRANGE!
This is me in front of a missionary monument here in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. This is a predominently muslim nation but the government paid for this monument....

safe

I am safe in Malaysia- 11th flight and 11th bed. I will try to write more but I am having problems with my computer attaching to internet. After spending 30 minutes trying to connect we just decided to quickly use the computer of my host. It is a small world though- I am staying with another former student of my professor, Dr. Scott Sunquist, but she also knows my friend and housemate...small world!!
I hope to write more later and share some more pictures of the end of my Singapore time and the beginning of my Malaysia time internet permitting.
Thanks for those of you who prayed for me and my sharing. I not only got to share a bit with about 1/2 of the girls but I also got to talk to one girl for over an hour about theology, nature of God, end times, and bunches of other questions...I have never been so thankful for my theological education or my Bible content exam :)
signing off for now. Love and God Bless,
beth

ridiculous

It is ridiculous how many amazing people I have met in such a short amount of time. And I have been asked to speak. I want to say "what do I have to offer?" but instead I say yes and pray about what God wants me to say.
I am "sharing" tonight for 52 teenage girls, many of whom are not Christian and many are a step away from jouvy. Then on Sunday I am preaching to an indigenous church in Malaysia that still struggles with syncretism. I feel overwhelmed by these requests but know this is God's desire. I remind myself of my verse: the verse that God laid on my heart when this trip and what I have undertaken gets overwhelming..."God has not given you a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7 This becomes my mantra when I want to give in to the fears that surround me. Although many of you tell me I am brave, I am not. I am blessed to have many people take care of me when the fears could control. I have met so many amazing people that I cannot wait to tell you all about: men and women of faith, some of whom have given up everything to serve God in very unique and powerful ways!
Signing off for now...prayers much appreciated for these "preaching" opportunities- I am much out of practice! Luckily, I am given more notice than I have been in the past!
love and God Bless,
beth