The stone was rolled away.

Studying John 20 during another makes-me-think Sunday school lesson, I became aware again of a truth that I hadn’t thought on for a long time. I love our class and the discussion of so many people who know the Word! Here is where the discussion took me:

· Why was the stone rolled away from the tomb when Jesus resurrected?
· Did He need the stone rolled away to get out of the sealed tomb?
· I think the tomb was rolled away for your and my benefit. As with everything surrounding the death, resurrection and ascension, it was done for us. So we could see. And believe.

Admittedly, I see the work God has and is doing in other parts of the world through cloudy glasses. I live the missionary life vicariously through prayer letters, emails, and the spoken word. After stepping into the culture and world of Thailand for just a couple of weeks, my glasses are clearer. God was so gracious in allowing me to see into His work for those days. From the perspective of those who have served there for years (Mike and Judy are now 30 year Asian missionaries), I have seen so little. But, from my perspective, the stone was rolled away. So I could see. And believe.

This YOUTUBE link will take you to my picture of Thailand. I hope you capture the people and can feel their need through the words of the song.

Boys will be boys!

Okay, so I agree that a good trip lets the guys be guys and the gals be gals. Recorded below are the differences in what the guys and the gals enjoy.......

The story begins with fishing.
Bait: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches wadded up in a ball
Line: 20 pound test
Total catch: 250+ pounds of fish
Grand prize: Kyle's 100 pound catfish!
Extra Bonus: New friend - BJ!

The story continues with motor cycle riding.
Transportation: 250 Kawasakis
Cost: $25.00 per bike for 24 hours (helmets included)
Destination: Mountain top (beautiful!)
Obstacles: Mud, trees, heat, getting lost
Results: Bruises, blood, and getting home (finally)
Extra Bonus: Memories and laughter (eventually)

And not to be done yet, go cart riding.

Outcome: Fun but much less exciting than the first two adventures.

And, all the while, the girls were enjoying some quality five-on-one time!

Elephants galore!

Elephants are synonymous with Thai life.

We learned several interesting facts about them:

• Gestation is 22 months (oh my!)
• A new born calf emerges into a loving network of mother, aunties and cousins
• Female calves spend most of their life with the same family
• Male calves become too rambunctious at about 12 years and are expelled from the herd
• Average life span is 55 years, some live much longer
• They mourn the death of fellow elephants
• They have personalities unique to each elephant
• They can learn over 40 voice commands

The elephant camps or farms, present a show which includes painting, playing soccer, stacking logs and other various tricks.Each morning, they have bath time, which was so fun to watch!
We rode elephants twice. Enjoy various photos of us riding through the jungle.

Sitting on an elephant before her bath time.

Off we go, on our ride....
Our driver got off and took our photo while the elephant reached to get fresh grass. Returning safe and sound.....
This is our second ride.

We thoroughly enjoyed the personality of the elephants, and loved riding through the absolutely gorgeous jungle. It was so hot each day and we got a kick out of the elephants blowing air through their trunks on us.

Campus Crusade for Christ ministry

Part of our desire while in Thailand was to understand and experience the heart and passion Mike and Judy have had for Asian people for the past 30 years. After spending two and a half weeks there, we better understand their love of the Thai people who they have centered their lives around for over 20 years. Thai people are so kind, gentle and appreciative. We fell in love with those we spent time with.

BJ and Lamoi serving a delicious Thai meal to us in their home.
Paul Utley (Jesus film CCC staff), Mike, Kyle and BJ.

We loved being in BJ and Lamoi's home for dinner one night. BJ is the director for Northern Thailand CCC College Ministry. He is a Thai man who came to know the Lord through CCC, and now leads the ministry. Mike is passionate about developing and teaching Thai nationals to lead and minister to their own people.

On another evening, we had the privilege of meeting with Judy's weekly Bible study group of college alumni that meet at her house. This was a highlight of our trip. We learned their names, had a pizza dinner, then we did a craft that was incorporated into their study.

Judy told me ahead of time to bring something for them to make, which was challenging. A ‘craft’ for men and women college graduates who speak broken English, that would have some meaning to it, and could be transported to Thailand. Hmmmm….after walking the isles at Michael's, I settled on a small brown cardboard box, that could be assembled. Then I bought several sheets of letters. My plan was to have them write whatever they wanted on the box, something like ‘Bible Truths’, ‘Promises’, etc. Then, I wanted each to suggest a verse or a 'truth' that had special meaning to them, write it down, and put it in each other's box

Here I am explaining the boxes, letters and verses.


It turned out pretty cool. They loved the alphabet letters, apparently they can’t get them there. They were very creative with what they wrote on their boxes. The most precious part was their verse selection and hearing them share the reason they chose that verse. It turned into a time to really hear their hearts. Mike and Judy and Kyle and I contributed verses and told the reason for our verses as well. I titled our box "Truth from Thailand" and treasure the verses each person hand wrote for our box. I can still hear their broken English explaining their personal story around that verse.

Then during the prayer time, we had the opportunity to hear the burden they have for family members to come to know Jesus. It was a very precious time for Kyle and me. Jane shared her burden for her boy friend's parents to know Jesus. She and Tuu have been dating for several years and plan to get married. In the Thai culture, Tuu would be disrespectful of his parents if he suggested they believe differently than Buddhism. Jane cried with the burden she feels for the family she loves and will marry into, that they be believers and able to spend eternity together. Since Thai value Americans so much, Tuu's parents would be more open to hearing the gospel from them than their son. So in August, the entire team will go to Tuu's parent's home for the Bible Study, where the door will be open to present the gospel to Tuu's parents.

Thai culture prayer time is different than we are use to in America. All members of the group bow their heads and pray audibly at the same time. We were in awe as we heard them all pour out their hearts to our Father at one time, in a language I could not understand, but knowing He was hearing and pleading on their behalf to the same God we all worship. WOW! Here is the group before they left for home, all showing their boxes of verses. I may not spell the names right, but I remember most of them...Lamoi, Jane, Tuu, Jin, Tuu, Ponn, Poy, (and one more that I can't remember). Verses were: Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 5: 13-16, Isaiah 43: 18-19, Matthew 6:33, John 8:12, Matthew 11:28, and two 'truths' as written on the slips in my box were "If we have hope we can go on" and "He never done me wrong". (I love the broken English expressed by honesty in this one.)


I am praying for Tuu and will look forward to hearing how his parents respond to the presentation of the gospel in August. Tuu is in the red shirt and Jane is in the black and white shirt sitting in front of him. When you think of it, pray for Tuu's family to know Jesus.