January/February 2008
Leaving Nicaragua, Wally, Linda and Katie Beth began and arduous journey to Thailand, filled with many unforeseen events. Prepared to board their flight in Los Angeles, they learned that it was cancelled. After waiting many hours, the airline housed them near the airport. The following morning they still had no word regarding their departure. Katie Beth found that her computer was malfunctioning. It was our team's bloodline for the graphics to be used during our week of presentations for the Spiritual Emphasis Week at Grace International School in Chaing Mai, Thailand. We learned something very valuable that day. The Lord tells us in His Word that we make our plans but He directs our steps. If we hadn't had a delayed flight, the computer could not have been repaired. This scenario proved to be a blessing from God. Katie Beth needed an Apple Store. One was within six miles of our hotel. Even though the technician said he was unable to service the computer, after Katie Beth told him her dilemma, he had everything working within a matter of ten minutes.
By midnight, we were again at the airport boarding the plane. To our surprise, of the original two hundred and fifty passengers, only fifty of us were left. We were hopeful that they would allow us to move into business class. Actually, it was better. Each of us had our own row of middle seats, just enough room to lie down and sleep for the nineteen-hour flight to Bangkok. What a blessing! Transferring planes in Bangkok we flew on to Chaing Mai where our hosts, the Bolands, met us and drove us to their home where we were housed throughout our ministry.
Grace International School is a marvelous work. Five hundred students attend. Ten percent of the school's population is from the surrounding area, many of whom are Buddhists. 90%of the students are from missionary families whose parents are serving throughout Asia and the South Pacific.
As we entered the beautiful facility, we were show the room where all meetings would be held. At the front of the room was the sixth grade teacher on her knees praying for spiritual emphasis week. We knew that God was going to bless the work.
At the end of our first week there, we conducted an elementary and secondary chapel so that the youth would be introduced to our family. All went well. They were very responsive and excited for what the next week would hold.
On Sunday, Wally preached at the church in Chaing Mai that is home to most of the missionaries who are serving in that city. On Monday the first of four chapel events began. Wally and Katie Beth led the teaching for the high school students while Linda began working with the elementary students. There was such great response to the elementary chapel that teachers invited Linda to come into their classroom to speak on various topics. To her amazement, God allowed her the privilege of speaking fifteen times that week! Most of her time was spend in the school library preparing for these extemporaneous talks. But, she loved it and so did the children!
We also conducted workshops on prayer and spiritual gifts. After one of Linda's times of teaching on prayer, a student, Su Yung, approached her and asked for prayer. Linda told her to come back after the next class so that they woudl have time to spend praying for her needs. SuYung had a physical development problem. The left side of her body had not developed at the same rate as the right side. her organs, muscles and bone structure were lagging behind. The caused great pain for Su. She told Linda that she was not able to find any medical help for her problem. She took off her hoodie that covered her blouse. It was then that Linda recognized the anomaly. Linda began to pray. After a few moments of prayer Linda noticed that Su was crying. She pulled her hands off Su's shoulders and said, 'Am I hurting you?' Su replied with a tearful smile, 'No, I'm being healed.' Linda continued to pray and could actually feel Su's body moving under her hands. It was a blessing and a miracle.
On Thursday evening a bonfire was held to celebrate the end of the conference. Students were encouraged to give testimonies. Su came to the mic and told what God had done for her. Other followed suite. One young man had made a decision to become a pastor. As the fire shot flames into the air, torrents of rain fell, unable to extinguish or even dampen the physical fire or spiritual fire that had been lit in the lives of these young people during the past week.
Each of us had an opportunity to pour love and wisdom into several students during our stay. We watched God work to help the kids make their lives count,l which was the theme of Spiritual Emphasis Week.
On Friday, we were invited to a Buddhist village outside of Chaing Mai, where the seniors shared crafts, songs and dance with the elementary age children. We were privileged to be the second group of non-Asians allowed to come to the village. Linda spent her time with the Principal's wife. Before leaving the village each of the women exchanged their necklaces as a fond remembrance of their friendship built during that day. Wally met with the Mayor and elders of the village, extending greetings from America.
We have also just learned that a young man named Calvin who attended the spiritual emphasis week made a decision for Christ shortly after our departure. Calvin was a Buddhist. His mother is now reading the Bible daily seeking to know more about Christianity. Isn't God good!
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