"Go Forth and Serve"

The past few days, I have been out of town. I went to a youth/family camp in the Thai province of Korat. A group from the church here in Ubon made the trip there. I really didn't know what to expect. And to be completely honest, I wasn't all that excited. I knew that mostly likely everything would in Thai and not translated. It really isn't a fun feeling when you don't understand ANYTHING! But I went knowing this and determined to think of the trip with a positive attitude.

It was hard to stay positive when I couldn't really participate in the programs. I especially didn't like that I couldn't worship and sing praises, because the songs were all Thai. I caught a break when the speaker turned out to be an American pastor. Finally, I could understand. Through out the day I helped out with the kindergarten class. It was so much fun to interact with the kids.  

Even though I couldn't really understand all that was happening, I did see something amazing. Here I am in a country where 95% of the people are Buddhist. In a place like this it is very difficult to share Christianity; it's understatement to say we are the minority. But here I was at this camp, surrounding by Thai Christians. Some baptized already and some not yet. But still the fact that they were there, learning about God's love is awesome. There were a lot of young people there and that is so exciting to me; we are the future, it is our responsibility to 'go forth and serve'. 

On the second day of the camp, a baptism was held in the camp swimming pool. A fairly large group was baptized. It was especially a blessing for Erin and I, because a student and friend was baptized that day. It was really cool to see these people commit their lives to Christ. Afterwards, we got the chance to greet them and their expressions were priceless. Such a joy in their smiles, it was absolutely wonderful to experience. 

I felt that the theme 'Go Forth and Serve' was an appropriate theme and one that is relevant in my life. The last two speakers touched on two different aspects of service. Do what you can and DO IT NOW! A missionary from Mission College gave a message with that exclamation as her basis. She told us that it didn't matter who we were and even if we didn't think we had any serviceable talents; God would use each of us. 

The last morning, another missionary from Mission College spoke. This time it was a man with an incredible story. He talked about the benefits of service. The joy it brings and that the one qualification is 'willingness'. He told a story a sixteen year old boy who had committed serveral crimes and was convicted to thirteen years in prison. While he was incarcerated, his mother sent him a Bible and that Bible changed his life. He only served ten years and from the day he was released he has been serving God. The story a took turn of surprise when the man revealed that this boy was actually him. I was shocked and at the same time so blessed by his testimony. He told us that he is living proof that all the benefits of service are true. 

After the message, there was an amazing special music. It consisted of a guitar/violin/singing and the song "As a Deer." First someone was on the guitar and then another man stood behind the guitar player and played on the same guitar. Then a group of foreigners started to sing the words in English and someone shortly started sing it in Thai as well. It was so cool to hear both languages praising God. The song continued and then a violin came into the scene. It was such a beautiful thing to hear and participate in. 

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything

I was so thankful to be there and to hear the wonderful messages about service. Because here I am serving and I pray that my service does not end with Thailand, there's still so much more.