April Updates

Dear Friends and Family, 

Happy Songkran (Thai New Year)! It's crazy to think that I will be leaving this place that I have called home this past year in only a month.

This month has been full of fun activities and crazy hot weather. Here is what has been happening:

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King’s Covenant Church from NJ visited!

King's Covenant Church is a church plant of Grace Community Chapel NJ who visited last month. 

Their team focused on different spiritual disciplines (the Word, prayer, courage, perseverance, and worship) during the week accompanied by a specific mentoring trip related to that discipline.

Here are some moments from the trips that we went on:

Another amazing part of how God worked through this team is through worship. Every night we had a worship service that also ended in a time of prayer. Recently, I have been seeing more and more how God has been using me as a hand of prayer for these children.

Prayer had always been a weaker aspect of my Christian walk because there were times where I felt that I didn't know how to express myself to God. But I learned that sometimes it is not always about the words that you speak but how your heart is connecting with God. This has helped me build my personal relationship with Him, knowing that He already knows what I need and will always accept me no matter what.

During an altar call one night, two MH boys accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! These boys in particular used to live sinful lives full of temptations and distractions, but I have been seeing them grow and mature in the time that I have been here. It is just another beautiful example of how no matter how lost they are/feel, God continues to work miracles in these people.

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Summer Activities:

When teams are not here, the summer schedule differs slightly from the school year. On weekdays, the MH kids have classes in the morning, Taekwondo in the afternoon, and evenings free. On Tuesday nights, we have prayer meeting (which is usually Saturday morning) and on Friday nights, we still have bible study. There are also still clubs during the weekends.

During the summer, the high schoolers teach the younger ones so they can practice leading. Recently, I have been cooking lunch, preparing afternoon snack, and helping around with other miscellaneous chores.

1.Club Update!

Not only have I been still teaching piano, but I also started to lead two new clubs! The first is a bible verse memorization club, which I mentioned before was sparked from my studying of the Sermon of the Mount. The goal of this club is to connect with the Word on a deeper level and become more intentional with applying it to our lives. Also, as part of a group, we keep each other accountable and see some of the benefits of being part of a community that God has called us to be part of.

The other one is a basketball club (but girls only!). Some of the girls expressed interest in wanting to learn more skills, especially since we play pick-up a lot at MH and it is easy to feel shy and overwhelmed. I took this opportunity to establish a better foundation for them so that they can play with more confidence.

2. I led a prayer meeting!

My goal was to focus on community. From living amongst so many people in one place, conflict naturally occurs with one another. Recently, I have learned about unresolved conflicts and so I wanted to use this time of prayer to show love for each other. (John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.")

I also used this time for us to pray for one another's sufferings and sins, to remember that we are one community that helps each other grow as well. We also asked God to show us how to use our spiritual gifts to serve others and be thankful for the community that He has provided at MH.

My prayer topics revolved around this passage from Colossians:

Colossians 3:12-15

12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

If you are interested in what I shared, here is my unofficial script that I wrote for translation purposes:

Bible Verse Reflection

My main goal tonight is to focus on community. I understand that being here at MH is not always easy. But I hope that through honest prayer to God, you can continue to be thankful for everything that God has provided for you and understand how much love He has for you. 

Verse 12:

God has chosen us to be part of His family, His community. Even though the Christian life is hard, God still requires us to carry out these traits mentioned in this passage such as kindness and patience and meekness and humility. We can never lose sight of what God has called us to be as part of His community.

Verse 13: 

Be forgiving. For me, this has always been a struggle in my life. I am someone who always holds a grudge, someone who never forgets when someone else does something wrong, someone who can’t push past other people’s mistakes. But I ask myself, why do I want perfection in others, when I am the opposite of perfect? That I have so much sin and brokenness but instead I look at my friends and community member’s sins and brokenness. 

But as verse 13 says, forgive as the Lord forgave you. He showed us so much mercy that he sent His SON to save us!!! By the blood of Jesus Christ we are forgiven of all of our sins. Remembering all these things that God has done for me helps give me the strength and courage to show forgiveness to others. That we as members of the same community should be building them up and helping them heal, not putting them down and complaining about it. 

Verse 14:

Verse 14 then talks about the most important trait, which is LOVE. Even though everyone at MH is full of sin, even though everyone at MH is different from each other, love is what allows us to come together as one spiritual body of Christ. 

For example, when I was in college, I was struggling to find a church that fit my spiritual needs especially because I didn’t have the right community around me. When I came across the church that I am currently a member of, I was very hesitant at first because it was very small and made up of individuals that I was not familiar with. I thought that there was no way I could find the community for me here. But I was overwhelmed with genuine love that they had for Jesus Christ which led to the genuine love that they showed me. Despite how different they were from me, this love allowed us to accept our differences and form a community I would have never expected. It was a huge encouragement to me that even though we have our differences, God created us that way for a reason; that as long as we have this genuine love for each other, we will thrive as one body of Christ, unique parts working as one. 

Verse 15: 

To add to that, our differences can also lead to conflict. Sometimes more often than not. But in verse 15, we are called to live in peace with one another. If we seek peace, it will help us resolve our conflicts. And as we have been talking about recently in relation to resolving conflict, it will help us grow our faith and relationships. 

I’m not saying this because it’s easy. For me, my natural instinct is to complain and avoid my conflicts. Even though I am an extravert, I still don't like to confront people. But that is why prayer is so important. I personally have gained a lot more comfort in asking God to continue to soften my heart. Asking God to help me seek peace and show love for others, through the love that He has shown me. 

PRAYER TOPIC 1: Ourselves

So the first thing that I want us to do is to pray for yourself. First, let’s ask God to soften our hearts. Ask God to continue to show you His love for you, so that you can show love towards others. Without grumbling, but genuine and intentional love for each other. Maybe you have a conflict with someone here in this room today. Ask God to give you the wisdom to confront this situation with love and to forgive them as God forgave you. 

1 Peter 4:8-10

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace

Also, through God’s unfailing grace, He has given each and every one of you spiritual gifts. Let’s also ask God to reveal the spiritual gifts that he has placed in your life and ask for guidance on how to use these gifts to serve others and bring glory to His kingdom. And ask how he can use these relationships around you to continue to help glorify Him. 

PRAYER TOPIC 2: The Younger Kids at MH

As we continue to pray, let’s begin to pray for each other as a community here at MH. First, I want to pray for our dek deks. One of the biggest blessings that I’ve seen from being here at MH is how all of you guys, no matter what age, all come together and grow relationships with each other. 

Let’s pray that they continue to feel the blessings and love of God. Pray that they show thankfulness as they see what an amazing provider God is. Pray that even though they are young, God will still use their tiny hands and feet to glorify Him.

PRAYER TOPIC 3: The America Team

The next thing that I want to pray for is our America team. Even though they are not physically here right now, they are still part of our community at MH. 

Let’s pray that they not only enjoy their time with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Cornerstone and SBMC but they are also presently seeing how God is continuing to work in their lives around the world. Let’s also pray for their safety during their travels and for the strength to withstand the intensity of this trip. Let’s also take this time to thank God for all the opportunities that He has provided this ministry at MH.

PRAYER TOPIC 4: All Brothers and Sisters at MH

Let’s spend time in prayer for the community that is currently here in this room today. 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Everything we do is to glorify God but in order to do so, we must be united as one under one body of Christ. So let’s pray for each other’s struggles, that God will continue to be the light in their life and give them the strength to persevere through whatever they are facing. Let’s pray for each other’s sins, that God will rescue them and save them. Because when our brothers and sisters suffer, we also suffer. 

Or maybe you have a conflict with someone in this room today. As we learned from P Sora, we have to pray for them also. Ask God to help grow in your relationships with each other in this room. That you will not be quick to anger, but loving towards each other.

PRAYER TOPIC 5: Other Communities Provided for MH

Lastly, let’s pray for some of the communities that God has provided for you outside of MH. Let’s pray for the teams that have come and the churches that they are part of, that they continue to carry out the work set forth for them by the Holy Spirit. Let’s also pray for NewStory who will be coming in a few weeks, that they will come with hearts ready to serve and help grow the ministry here at MH. Let’s thank God for how He has provided MH with all these incredible relationships around the world. 

Let’s also pray for some of the communities that don’t know about Christ yet that maybe God has been tugging at your heart. Maybe there are some friends at school that you want to show love to. Ask God for help and wisdom to seek these things.

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Other Updates this Month:

1.Said some goodbyes!

Recently, God has been providing unique international opportunities for the MH kids relating to education.

Alao, a recent college graduate, just left to go to Los Angeles for a whole year! She will be taking English classes and staying with different host families that are members of South Bay Missions Church who visited last October and is one of the churches currently hosting the America Team.

Alao taught me what true giving means from watching her hard work and humble leadership. Even though the sendoff at the airport got emotional, I ultimately had nothing but joy and excitement for her in this next stage of her life.

God also provided an opportunity for one of our high school MH kids, N'Mai. She is interested in a career in dentistry, so she left for Chicago where she spent a month interning at a family friend's dental practice.

Because of this, I also said goodbye to Izzie, who escorted N'Mai to America. As most of you know, I met her in college, and she was my best friend at MH. I am forever thankful for how God used her to teach me about MH which ultimately led me to accept the calling to come.

It has been an amazing privilege to grow alongside these two sisters in Christ, and I am excited to see what is in store for both of them back in the states.

2. I visited 2 different churches in Chiang Mai!

Because Pastor Danny is currently in America, I took the time to explore some of the churches in the area. The first one is called The Gathering Church (https://www.gatheringcm.com/), which is international church with an English-speaking sermon. The second one is called The Acts Church (https://www.actschurchcm.com/), which is more of a Thai style and is where the MH kids used to go to when the foundation first started.

I was interested in seeing how worship existed in other places in Thailand, and both churches were very unique in their own ways. It was also comforting to be surrounded by other Christians outside of MH. Even though I feel the support of you guys from around the world every day, it is easy to feel lonely and lost in a country with only 1% Christians. Being physically surrounded by such a passionate group of believers and hearing them worship showed the power of the Holy Spirit and displayed the hope of Jesus Christ.

3. I have been continuing to study Thai.

One of the callings I've felt on my heart is to not only learn how to speak conversationally but also to read and write. Since I will not be able to talk to the kids in person when I go back to America, I will still be able to connect with them through language. Also, I can now (mostly) read the Thai lyrics during worship time! It is an amazing feeling being able to sing with one voice alongside the MH kids as one body of Christ.

4. Lastly, it has been the HOTTEST I have ever experienced in my life.

After living in the hot humid summers in both Maryland and Atlanta, my time in Thailand up until now had been bearable. But being outside all day in this heat has presented a new challenge. I feel my physical energy draining from my body, even when I am not doing anything at all.

I have been going through a devotional on the book of Psalms called In the Lord I Take Refuge by Dane Ortlund. I wanted to share one that I have been reflecting on recently.

Psalms 46

1God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8Come, behold the works of the LORD,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Ortlund writes, "What troubles you today? What is it about which you think, 'If I can just get that sorted out, life will become manageable'?" For me, I have become anxious about the weather, lost in how the heat has been affecting me, worried about how I have been serving knowing that I need to rest more than ever.

But even in physical adversities, I still need to be calm in a raging sea, that everything is always being taken care of under the shelter of God. I need to let go of these anxieties and Be Still. As long as I persevere and bring glory to God, He will multiply my works no matter what the conditions are around me.

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Prayer Requests: 

1. In this last month, please pray for strength and that I can continue to work faithfully and overcome my fatigue.

2. As the America team prepares to come back to Thailand, please pray that their trip was full of fruitful fellowship with both South Bay Missions Church (CA) and Cornerstone Church (NY).

3. As Alao transitions into America, please pray that she is accepted into a loving community and continues to listen to God on this path that He has set for her.

4. As I mentioned earlier, some of the kids are currently in conflicts with one another. Please pray that they ask God to give them a loving heart and to grow their relationships with both their community members and with Jesus Christ.
   

During Songkran, there is the tradition of water throwing all over the streets of Thailand. I spent those days getting absolutely soaked whenever I went outside. We also celebrated our own version at MH with a water fight (shown below, along with some of my other favorite April moments!):

This upcoming month will definitely be a lot of goodbyes, but I know that the race is never over, so I am also excited to see the next door that God opens for me back in the states.

See you next month!

In Christ, 

Bri