What can we learn from the Thai and their Songkran Festival?

Right in the middle of heated RED Shirt demonstrations, killings and blood curses against the government....the Thai people take a three day "time-out" to celebrate Songkran.

For the next three days most of the waring in the Kingdom will come to a halt. It's such an odd thing. The atmosphere has shifted from angry fighting mobs with knives and guns...to laughter, dancing and water fights in the streets with giant plastic guns.

Maybe EVERY WARING NATION should consider such a "time-out". They should consider taking out their aggressions with giant orange and green plastic, semi-automatic water guns. It's hard to stay angry at each other when you're being chased down the street by someone in miss-matched flip-flops, a flower printed shirt and a hot pink wig!

This little guy is getting an early start to the Songkran Festival. Songkran is some what like our New Year’s Celebration in the US. Songkran is celebrated from April 13-15th. It's a three day, Kingdom-wide block party, water fight! Lots of celebrating, dancing and usually excessive drinking- not water!

Although the origin of the Songkran festival is embedded in layers of ancestor and idol worship; there are some redemptive analogies to observed in this culture. This Songkran, may the people of Thailand draw their attentions to the One, True God, who washed away all our sins and made us clean through Jesus. May they hunger and thrist for truth and come to know what it means to drink of the Living Water.

The Songkran is a time for Thai people to honor those who are older. A blessing of appreciation is given to them by pouring fragrant water over their hands and feet.

Our girls at the ministry center prepare for Songkran by gathering water, consecrating it by means of prayer and then adding some fragrant flowers. Next, it's time to gather all the "older" people- yes, as you can see by the picture below, I qualified.

The pouring of water begins. As we sit in a long row of chairs outside, all the younger women come through on their knees (one by one) and pour water on us and speak a short blessing.

Towards the end of this ceremony the water then gets poured everywhere else- Oh, accidentally down your back, on your head or with ice water etc. It is expected and all in goods fun! This is the subtle que that the water fight is about to begin! In a few minutes EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET DRENCHED.

For the next three days, anyone, anywhere is a target. If you step out of your house, chances are you will get very wet. After you're soaking wet, someone might come by and throw powder on you. Then you look like a ghost! Sorry, no Songkran photos of myself in this lovely condition as my camera is not water proof! So enjoy these photos of others getting soaked.

Young, old, native Thai or Foriegners- everyone is in on the action. School and most major businesses are closed. which is good because you can't get to work without getting totally wet!

In the North of Thailand, even the elephants get in on the Songkran action!

What is NightLight all about?

Not an average Night!

Hard to see, but I consider these lips stick marks on my cheek to be a precious treasure! Received them as a token of appreciation from a women we minister to in the Red Light district. Some of the women are trafficked into Thailand by European countries. They are significantly different than the Thai or Issan women who are trafficked here. The Thai women are usually more approachable. Many of the European women appear to be more calloused, harder to connect with. That is understandable as their have been very rough! As a rule the Eupopeans are more isolated and heavily "supervised" if in a public setting. Tonight we gain access to a few of them through our simple Valentine Day outreach.

Night Bars seem to come in four flavors- for lack of other descriptive words. They progress from street front, to inside, to second floor, to third floor. Each level gets progressively more bizarre/corrupt/twisted? Sometimes the upper floors are referred to as the place to see "freak shows", for reasons I will not elaborate on! My team of four women delivered Valentines Day treats to second and third floor bars.

There is something a little surreal about being mobbed by a swarm of lady boys (young men who appear to be lovely young women) dressed in high heels, lacy bras and tiny panties anxious to receive one of our Valentines Day treats!
Our arrival created such a stir that the "stage show" came to almost a complete stop as the lady boys were jumping down off stage to see us, give us hugs and an occasional kisses on the cheek. It all about relationships around here, and this small act of kindness won us a good amount of favor in the bars and in our neighborhood.

I love that God has placed us right in the middle of all this activity.(All these establishments are in my neighborhood- my home is surrounded on all sidesby this activity) Last night one of the lady boys took me to the top seating to introduce me to more of his/her? friends. As the lady boy read the note inside the bag of chocolates, he/she held up the note and said with a questioning tone, God loves me? Really, me? Is this true? Then the lady boy hugged me and shouted across the room, "God loves ME!" Not exactly your average night at a "freak show" bar! Praise God!

May we continue to be compelled to step out of our comfort zones as we extend the love of Jesus to all.

Human Trafficking - Hotline 1.888.3737.888.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

It's not just about women and sex!

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims can be very young children, teenagers, women or men!

After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today.

• Sex Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act , in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act.
  
• Labor Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, debt bondage or slavery.

Trafficking Victims
Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of State. Victims are generally trafficked into the U.S. from Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe. Many victims trafficked into the United States do not speak or understand English and are therefore isolated, unable to communicate with service providers, law enforcement and others who might be able to help them.

How Victims Are Trafficked
Victims can be exploited for purposes of commercial sex, including prostitution, stripping, pornography and live-sex shows. However, trafficking also takes place as labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude, sweatshop factories, or migrant agricultural work. Traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to compel women, men and children to engage in these activities.

Force involves the use of rape, beatings and confinement to control victims. Forceful violence is used especially during the early stages of victimization, known as the ‘seasoning process’, which is used to break victim’s resistance to make them easier to control.

Fraud often involves false offers that induce people into trafficking situations. For example, women and children will reply to advertisements promising jobs as waitresses, maids and dancers in other countries and are then trafficked for purposes of prostitution once they arrive at their destinations.

Coercion involves threats of serious harm to, or physical restraint of, any person; any scheme, plan or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform an act would result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; or the abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process.

Victims of trafficking are often subjected to debt-bondage, usually in the context of paying off transportation fees into the destination countries. Traffickers often threaten victims with injury or death, or the safety of the victims’ family back home. Traffickers commonly take away the victims’ travel documents and isolate them to make escape more difficult.

In many cases, the victims are trapped into a cycle of debt because they have to pay for all living expenses in addition to the initial transportation expenses. Not meeting daily quotas of service or “bad” behavior also increases their debt. Many victims do not realize that it is illegal and blame themselves. Even if the victims sense that debt-bondage is unjust, it is difficult for them to find help because of language, fear, shame and physical barriers that keep them from obtaining help.

Help for Victims of Trafficking

If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call 1.888.3737.888. Victims of human trafficking who are not U.S. citizens are eligible for a special visa and can receive benefits and services through the TVPA to the same extent as refugees.

TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT OF 2000

Freezer Burn?

Freezer Burn- this is what can happen if we store things for too long in the freezer! According to the articles I’ve read, apparently freezer burn can’t kill you. It does however render your food tasteless and unappealing!

An interesting metaphor stirs in my mind as I dig through the layers of ice and unrecognizable clumps of gray, frosted foods. At one time “this thing” was a delicious, flavorful item!

Just like the job of defrosting a freezer, from time to time it's good to ask, "What have I been storing for too long…that has now become gray, flavorless or unappealing to the world around me?" People are hungry for a fresh, flavorful revelation of God’s love, goodness and power. I am obligated to seek ways to “serve it fresh” daily.

Too often I have failed to be generous with what I have been given at the moment, not willing to trust that my Father in Heaven will provide me “fresh bread” for tomorrow's needs. I think this is one of the keys to being an extravagantly generous person. We can be generous people in all ways, because our God does not have limited resources!

Language- Communicating can be challenging and funny

Pretend it's morning, you're hungry. You locate the number for room service on the dresser next to the bed in your hotel room......and you dial it.

Can you decipher this conversation?

Morny, rune sore-bees.

Oh sorry, I thought I dialed room service.

Rye. Rune sore-bees. Morny. Jewish to odor sunteen?

Yes, order something. This is room thirteen-on-five. I want…

Okay, torino-fie. Yes plea?

I'd like some bacon and eggs.

Ow July then?

What?

Aches.

Ow July then? Pry, boy, pooch…?

Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry. Scrambled, please.

Ow July thee baycome? Crease?

Crisp will be fine.

Okay. An Santos?

What?

Santos. July Santos?

Uh…I don't know…I don't think so.

No? Judo one toes?

Look. I really feel bad about this, but I just don't know what judo-one-toes means. I'm sorry…

Toes! Toes! Why Jew Don Juan toes? Ow bow eenlish mopping we bother?

English muffin! I've got it! You were saying toast! Fine. An English muffin will be fine. We bother? No. Just put the bother on the side.

Wad?

I'm sorry. I meant butter. Butter on the side.

Copy?

I feel terrible about this but… Copy.

Copy, tea, mill…

Coffee!! Yes, coffee please. And that's all.

One Minnie. Ass rune torino-fie, strangle-aches, crease baycome, tossy eenlish mopping we bother honey sigh, and copy. Rye?

Whatever you say. Okay.

Tenjewberrymud.

You're welcome.

Prophetic Art

I have always had a passion for the arts. Recently, I have been meeting with a few of my friends (there they are) to do something called prophetic art. This is an idea I was introduced to about two years ago at Bethel Church in Redding California. I guess some are curious why it is referred to as prophetic? It's not very complicated, we meet together to worship God by using our artwork. Prophetic art is just another form of communion with the Creator of all things! We use art not only as a means of worship, but also intercession. We simply capture on paper, with images and colors, what others are more comfortable recording with words. Sometimes our paintings are specific declarations, such as a hope of healing for our community. Other times the art takes on an abstract, impressionistic look.

We try to gather for a few hours every other week, always preparing our spirit with prayer and sometimes singing. Then we begin. We come to our easels and ask God, "What is on your heart?" Since God is real and not some distant figment of our imagination. we fully expect to hear from Him. God desires relationship with His people!

The Spirit of God reveals much to those who are willing to listen. I'm always in need of practicing my listening skill! I find the arts to be a powerful and intimate way to express what God is stirring inside of me. Sometimes there are no words to express what we sense in our spirit. Prophetic art is not about drawing the perfect masterpiece; it about having the freedom to express yourself to the Most High God.

"Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring...who gives breath to all the people...I am the Lord, that is My name....I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to a graven images"

YWAM Tyler-TESOL

One of the best and also one of the most difficult courses I have ever been through, was a recent TESOL Course. The BEST part of my adventure will be the focus of this short entry.

Living on campus with hundreds of other followers of Jesus was so inspiring. Students and adults from all over the world were there to be discipled and equipped for ministry to the nations. While I lived there, multple teams were sent out to do short term missions all over the world. I met people there whom I hope will remain friends forever.

The YWAM base in Tyler Texas is a tremendous location if you are considering training. There are many schools, evangelism, media training and missions are only a few. I's a huge sending base located on hundreds of open acres that are dotted with lakes and trees. At one time this land was home to David Wilkerson ministries (Author of The Cross and the Switch Blade) Other near by ministry centers include Teen Mania and Mercy Ships.

The culture of the YWAM community is that of worship and servanthood. It is an obvious value of all who serve there. From the time I was picked up at the airport until when I was dropped off, generosity and kindness prevailed. It was an honor to meet so any passionate young people, who plan to serve where ever God should lead them. What a great experience to be part of the community for those few months.

What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

Last week we had a tornado in Shelby County Tennessee. Luckily this tree fell away from the house!

No people were harmed, but many trees, roofs, fences and powerlines were damaged

This was a view of our street after the storm

Trying to keep cool in the Memphis heat after the storm.

We survived this storm without too many serious problems. The tornado touched down in another neighborhood so we did not receive the full impact of the storm. Winds reached 70 to 125mph in our area. Trees, fences, powerlines and roofs took most of the beating. We were without power for three days, but we still had water. Spraying off with the hose kept us from having a complete melt down in the Memphis heat and humidity. We also had a very kind neighbor who shared a small generator and many extension cords with us. He had enough power to run his home comfortably, but instead he chose to hook up three homes with limited power (just enough to keep their frig/freezers from defrosting) That's what I call a good neighbor!

As soon as the storm had quieted, another family showed up at our house. They knew Heidi was ready to deliver any day and were worried that all the excitement might have caused her to go into labor. They made their way through downed trees and debris with extra flashlights etc. to see if we needed any help. Good friends and good neighbors are a great blessing from God in a time of need! We are very greatful to them all.

MEN, an "UNREACHED" people group?

This is one of my favorite books! A GREAT read for men or women, especially if you're in a church leadership position.

Short preview from website: It's Sunday morning! Where are all the men? Golfing? Watching the tube? Mowing the lawn? Sleeping? One place you won't find them is in church. Less than 40 percent of adults in most churches are men, and 20 to 25 percent of married churchgoing women attend without their husbands. And why are the men who do go to church so bored? David Murrow's groundbreaking new book reveals why men are the world's largest unreached people group. With eye-opening research and a persuasive grasp on the facts, Murrow explains the problem and offers hope and encouragement to women, pastors, and men. Why Men Hate Going to Church does not call men back to the church-it calls the church back to men.

Why Men Hate Going to Church
By David Murrow
Edition: illustrated
Published by Thomas Nelson Inc, 2005
ISBN 0785260382, 9780785260387
248 pages

I found my copy of this book a few years ago on amazon.com for about $10.00 . That reminds me.... I loaned this book out, and haven't seen it since. Maybe I need to buy another couple of copies!

Prefer LISTENING instead of READING books?
Check out the link audible.com
http://www.audible.com/adbl/entry/offers/productPromo2.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&productID=BK_HOVE_000179

REAL MEN need Jesus!

How is the local church doing when it comes to building relationships with the MEN in the community? Lets be honest...
in general, men aren't very good at communicating verbally about what's going on inside of them. It's not a bad thing, it's just the way their wired!

Men have emotions, stresses and a need for meaningful relationships just like their counterparts. The problem is that most males will not be very comfortable sitting around in a cozy circle at your Sunday School class, chatting about their week. That's not how guys usually connect with each other!

I once heard it said, if you put two men in a six foot boat in the middle of a lake for eight hours, they may not say more than a few sentences to each other ALL day.....but a week later you'll over hear them proclaiming to their buddies what a GREAT TIME they had TOGETHER! What if you tried the same scenario with two women.... would you expect the same results? Not likely!

Women and men develop friendships very differently. It's not rocket science and yet so often we fail to transfer that simple information into the way we do church. Men need to be men, they're hungry for a challenge, something significant as well as spiritual to sink their teeth into! When this doesn't happen, it becomes increasingly easier for them to isolate or disconnected from the Christian community. How do we make the Sunday morning experience "Guy Friendly" and not just kid friendly?

Continually seeking creative ways to connect with the men in our culture is a huge responsibility. If we aren't intentional, they'll simply seek fulfilment with their comrades somewhere else.


"Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return." Hebrews 10:24-25

Singing in the Rain

What's that old saying....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Yes, this is my daughter and my mother dancing in the middle of the street in a rain storm! For those of you who have wondered at times why I am the way I am.... here you go, it must be in our DNA!

We are called to "Rejoice in the Lord always" even when the storms of life pour down on us. Remember, our God is greater than the storms and His love for us is unfailing! So grab your boots and umbrella and hit the streets.... for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.

Desiring to be more "child-like" in my faith

Some of God's favorite people are CHILDREN

Future Kingdom Builders!

I can't think of any situation recorded in the bible that tells of Jesus pulling aside children from the crowd to tell them to sit quiet, stop interrupting or disturbing his important meetings. Instead, I notice Jesus exhorting the local adults, the important community and religious leaders to be more like children! How do you suppose the business men and religious elite felt when Jesus told them such things? Just for a moment, try to place yourself in their situation.

Word has spread that the God man Jesus and his handful of disciples have just arrived to your village. The hillside to the north of town is swarming with noisy people anxious to get a closer glimpse of him. Although you still have much work to do, you quickly close your shop early and join the other important men of the community in a processional up the side of the hill. Eventually you are able to navigate your way towards the front of the crowd that has gathered.

There he is. Jesus, the one you've hear so much about is standing right before your eyes. Humm…you thought he’d be taller or more sophisticated looking. You strain to hear what he's saying, but it is difficult with so many children climbing around and clamoring for his attention! You and the other men try to hold back an armful of these energetic youngsters, but with out much success!

Finally, Jesus speaks up in a firm voice. Everyone becomes quiet. You're sure the next words spoken will have something to do with the need to restrain these little ones, as they are obviously disrupting this important gathering! You watch as Jesus points to the dusty footed, scraggly haired kids who earlier had been running underfoot, but now are pressing in closely around him. Then he says something you NEVER expected to hear. "Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matt 19:14)

The Kingdom of God can not be obtained by wealth or education. It doesn't belong to the moral, spiritual or religious achievers. You can not enter by works and self-righteousness or by earning merits. Anybody who wishes to receive the Kingdom, must become like a child, humble, simple and dependent. Salvation is a gift, it can not be purchased or earned. The message of the Cross is offensive to some because it highlights our complete helplessness. We must be willing to lay aside all our human efforts and receive this priceless gift. We are saved by faith, "child like" faith and not by works. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do " (Eph 2:8-9)

Children are...

inquisitive...

fearless...

joyfully secure in their father's love...

unsophisticated...

Sometimes we don't know how deeply rooted our pride is until we are invited to become as a child, undignified or unsophisticated in front of our peers! Recently my nephews came up with an interesting way to communication their affection for me. They decided to lavish me from head to toes with their favorite stickers- 47 to be exact! Did they think to do this when we were alone? No, they decided to adorn me while friends and neighbors were visiting for a party.

transparent...

Loved...

As an adult I need to be reminded to be more "child-like" in my approach to life. As Christians we are children of the King of Kings. We are given a new identity through Christ. God has exchanged our old-self or "old name tags" for new ones! He says, throw aside your former life for you no longer will be called; forsaken, unloved, abandoned or worthless. Our Heavenly Father gives us new "name tags" that reflect our new position through the blood of Jesus. God now calls us His sons and daughters, His holy priests, chosen ones, forgiven, redeemed, restored, full of hope, full of joy, full of faith, and greatly LOVED.

Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists. Hebrews 11:1

Some of the best things in life require incurring great risk. Getting to know someone at a deep level requires being vulnerable with that person. A whitewater rafting experience is thrilling because to an extent, one's life is placed at risk. Crossing a busy intersection to get to one' s destination involves the small risk of being run over. As I respond to God's call to the nations, some risks are involved. I must put my faith, my confidence in Him and in the certainty that He will accomplish His purposes.

"Faith lies in the setting out on the journey, not in being sure of exactly where we are going... faith is simply obedience and the willingness to risk; not an absolute certainty about what is going to happen on the journey!” Francis Mac Nutt

It's a New Year

This morning I awoke very, very early. This was the view from my window. A beautiful sunrise, a symphony of soft pink and golden yellow! Another day of hopeful possibilities. It is a new year, time to set our heart, mind and spirit on the horizons ahead. Praise to God, for His mercies to us are new every morning.

As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me...

Christmas dinner for some of us will be a lavish event with all the trimmings. For others, it will be a very simple meal. A special thank you to all those who helped make Christmas a little more enjoyable for the men and women who are incarcerated at the Mendocino County Jail.

For the past 11 years I have been involved with the local Jail Ministry. Every week a small team of volunteers head there for an evening (approx. 3 hours) of Bible study and prayer with prisoners. There is also a second team of volunteers, who work with the troubled teenagers who are in Juvenile Hall.

Though the years we have all witnessed many transformed lives! We have had the privilege of sharing the gospel with hundreds of men and women, both young and old. I think my team mates would agree that this this work has been extremely rewarding and humbling. God has allowed us to develop strong, trusting relationships with the correctional officers and the inmates.

Not everyone is as excited about hanging out at the Jail on a Saturday night as we are - so we had to think of some other creative ways for our church family to participate in this ministry. One of those ideas is our Christmas Cookie Delivery! Every year about this time we deliver homemade Christmas goodies to every person who is incarcerated in the Mendocino County Jail.

First, we enlist all our favorite "bakers" from church.
We will need lots and lots of homemade cookies!

Then we collect, sort and bag all the cookies. This is the hard part for us , because those delicious cookies smell so yummy we are tempted to eat them all ourselves!

Next we assemble individual bags (Our Sunday School children have done a great job decorating them with fun pictures and stickers) Each bag contains: 6 assorted homemade cookies, a gospel story, calender, assorted candy bars, 3 blank Christmas cards with stamped envelopes so prisoners can write to their loved ones ....and last of all....a candy cane!

Bernice is putting the finishing touches on these bags. We are just about ready to load them up for tonight's delivery. Hope they all fit in our cars!

Mendocino County Jail!
Although there are many locked gates, tall fences, security cameras and barb-wire, the love of Jesus still makes it's way through to those inside. Tonight it is cold, clear and beautiful....a perfect night for a Christmas delivery!


Have you ever been inside a Jail? Well, come on in.... Chaplain Gerry allowed me to take a few pictures. Usually taking any pictures around this facility would be a big NO-NO. Gerry is a good hearted man with a generous spirit. His work at the Jail is not very glamorous, but he does an excellent job.


We'll be heading down these corridors soon to deliver our treats. Since we have already been cleared through security we will be handing the bags out directly to each inmate.


Lucy and the Chaplain Gerry review a few details before we begin. Lucy joined the Jail team about a year ago and has loved very minute. At first she was very hesitant. "I've never done anything like this before, maybe I'm too old. Even though I resisted the idea at first, the Holy Spirit kept drawing me to this ministry. God challenged me to SERVE BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE" Lucy was willing to step out in faith and has had no regrets ever since!


All the cookie bags are "check in"- We're clean, no contraban!

We feel so blessed to be a part of what God is doing here! Tonight's visit will be a surprise for the guards and the inmates, a pleasant break from their evening routine. We wish you could come in with us to see all the faces of women and men. Receiving special "home made treats" can be quit an emotional experience for most of them. Some inmates will break into tears as we hug them and hand them their small bags. The smells and sight of Christmas goodies usually trigger many personal memories. We have seen God soften many hardened hearts through the years.




The members from First Baptist, St. Mary's and Calvary Baptist, all worked together to bless the staff and inmates. It is a privilege to be an extension of God's love to others. We work as ONE body, to glorify the King of Kings who was born to bring salvation to all.

"For I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Matthew 25