JOURNEY WITH THE CLARKS

Welcome 2012

2012-01-02T17:50:00.000+07:00

"you have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence"

Acts 2:28

2 New Year celebrations in BKK. Hard to believe! Last year we were on the roof top of our downtown high rise, trying to love where we were and embrace the new life we were living. We were enjoying a magically lit sky-but questioning why we were so far from familiarity; home. We were absorbing the shock of realizing our 4th child was on the way while still being in the thick of culture shock! The year felt long and grim-so many things we didn't know, so many things we hoped and prayed for (like clarity and direction). We asked God to reveal the reason for sending us so far away. We questioned our ability to make an impact or even a dent in Thailand. We missed what was comfortable, but fought hard to stay present and available to those God would bring in our path. OBEDIENCE-that's all we had most days (still is). Our choice to obey carried us through many doubt-filled days. Questioning everything but the call (OK, there were a few days the call might have been questioned-thank God for faithful friends)!

2012 starts with zero resolutions for us-like in the typical resolution type things. I am choosing, however, to RESOLVE to the life we've been asked to GIVE. Being in Bangkok (and everything that went behind the actual move) was the first step of surrender. God desires more and because of that I RESOLVE myself to his HOLY and MOST PERFECT plan. Do I hope for the future? Yes. Do I have dreams and plans? Yes. I release those to the ONE who already promised His plans for our family are good-that His plans will prosper and not harm us-that they'll give us hope and a future (Jer 29:11)! His plans promise to never leave us and that no matter what we endure or face, good WILL come of it.

So, I embrace 2012 with new HOPE and a new fire for the God who chose us, loves us and sent us. We have more direction today than we did on that roof top 1 year ago. We see more clearly the path of ministry God has chosen for us. We are in awe of what He's done in our lives this past year and will continue to pray His favor and blessings over our family. We're thankful for the many Thai people we've been blessed to love and live life with. The end of 2011 was fueling and has exploded us into this new year with great expectation.

We pray that you (we) will choose RESOLVE. What is God asking of you? No matter how hard, crazy, unfamiliar, scary, etc. it might look, we encourage you to RESOLVE yourself to His perfect will. You-we-are HIS masterpiece (eph 2:10). He loves us enough to ruin us completely for the ordinary Choose RESOLVE and watch how God can change you!

RE-SOLVE= to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine(to do something).

God hears, God responds, God delivers!

2011-12-30T22:05:00.001+07:00

Have you ever had a day when you just doubt or question everything you're doing? It happens to me more often than I'd like to admit. I trust God, completely. He has provided for us in ways that ONLY GOD can handle. He has NEVER left us or forgotten about us. I honestly have no reason to doubt; yet in my feeble, weakly flesh I still do.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was lonely. I was questioning everything-especially the work we're doing in Bangkok. It doesn't seem like missions-whatever that's supposed to look like! Brett is touring with a band-what??? REALLY! For the last month Brett has been helping a very popular Thai band while their drummer heals from an injury. They're such great guys and they've become very close with Brett. They know we're Christians, they know Brett is a family man (not just another farang out looking for the pretty Thai ladies) and they understand the sacrifice our family made to come to Bangkok. They have a very open, honest relationship. They ask about our faith and culture just as Brett asks them about Buddhism and Thai culture. They love each other-they're like brothers actually and it has been amazing to watch. They have a genuine love, respect and admiration for what Brett does, who he is and how he lives his life. I've had the opportunity to meet these men and although it's a challenge to be home alone with the 4 littles, I'm SO thrilled Brett has been given this opportunity! He didn't seek the record label, they found him. He didn't contact this band, they contacted him. Brett literally shows up places and God does the rest! Beautiful!

So, why do I doubt? I don't know-maybe one day I'll figure that out. But this is one of the many reasons I love God SO very much. Last night I asked Him-specifically-to show me that we're on the right track. A lot of changes have occurred in the past 2 months and I've become filled with doubt and question. I asked Him to comfort me while Brett is on the road and to show me, again, that we're doing the very thing He called us here to do. Then I slept.

Brett had a late show last night in Bangkok before leaving this morning for 2 days to perform a New Year's concert with the band. Before he left for the airport we had a few minutes to talk about the show. When I asked how it went his face lit up, literally and he said "it was amazing". He proceeded to tell me that the drummer (who is still touring with them, just not playing) told the event coordinator about our family-he shared our story. He explained how we believe in God, sold everything and moved to Thailand to love and serve the Thai's. The event coordinator then shared our story with the entire audience! It was all in Thai but Brett got the gist of it all (with the help of the band members) and was blown away. After the show Brett was approached by many Thai people thanking him for coming here and doing what he's doing. THAT my friends, is confirmation from a God, THE God, who listens to the prayers of His children!

What we're doing may not look like typical missionary work. Working with artists and bands, record labels and producers, etc. might not be the life we thought we moved here to live. All I can tell you is that we're called to obedience, before anything else we're to obey the calling and that's what we're doing. It's an adventure and risk we're privileged to walk through, daily. We might not always "get it" and we may often question "it", but at the end of the day-obedience comes first! Eph 3:9 says "I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning". WE WERE CHOSEN-and God's amazing choice for us, at this time, is to reach the artists in this area! Eph 4:1 says "Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God". WE ARE CALLED. We have an exciting job to do. Not always easy and yes, there is a cost, but man are we thankful for the call!

If you haven't said YES to God and all He desires of you-what's holding you back? What are you waiting for?

All I want for Christmas...a trip home.

2011-12-22T13:23:00.000+07:00

I remember dreaming amazing things for my daughter the first seconds I held her. I remember thanking God for the little life I had longed for-the dream I had envisioned was finally happening. I was holding this precious 5 pound blessing thinking nothing more than how much I loved her that very moment. I spend so much time learning who she is. Trying to understand what makes her angry, what hurts her heart and what makes her laugh. I try to spend quality time teaching her about life, faith, family, love, etc. She had a desire to know Christ at a young age and was mesmerized by the story of creation-Adam and Eve. She is a very special little girl.

So much of her life has been out of her control. My job as her Mommy is to protect her and give her a sense of safety and security. In her 8 young years on this crazy earth she has experienced nothing but change. Whether it was a move across town, a new sibling, or the latter years of selling everything we have, including most of her favorite things (our home, her friends, a safe neighborhood, good, comfortable school, etc.) to a move overseas. These are big changes for a little girl. Tonight, this little girl just wants to go home. This adventure affects every part of who she is, and on this day-her desire for Christmas is to go "home".

As parents we want to give our children everything in order for them to have a good life. As Christ followers we lose our lives in order to gain. When I held her tiny body 8 years ago I never imagined her "security" would look like it does today. Furthermore, I certainly didn't understand that my commitment to Christ would overpower any need to sow happiness into our kids.

So, tonight I find myself contemplating life. Why we're here. What we've done to our children. I think of a life that was simple and easy (and kind of meaningless). We must continue the journey and trust our sweet baby girl's (and her sibs) heart to our Father. The ONE that chose us. The ONE who sent us. The ONE who believes in us to do the work chosen for us long ago. We can comfort our children and get them through the rough days. We can remind them of all the things we love about home. We can make it through this. But sometimes I think it sucks that they have to experience this depth of sacrifice at such young ages. The knowledge part of me understands that living this life will only make them better. That the culture they're living and the experiences they're having from living over seas will be well worth the sacrifice. I "get" all the things I need to "get". However, the "all I want for Christmas is to go home" part of my heart struggles.

I'm happy to say the morning after she felt this way she was filled with happiness and eagerness to get to school and see all of her friends. She's the only white girl in her class but doesn't realize it. She's a gift to all the people she's around and doesn't get the impact she has on others yet. She lives day by day just like we do. There are days all I want to do is pack up and go home. It's a blessing that we can share those times with one another, and then proceed with the calling!

We will not be going home for Christmas and all we can pray for is the opportunity to fly home soon. Until then. we'll embrace this Christmas season like we do every single year. Thankful for all God has done in our lives. Celebrating who we've all become and working hard to be all God wants us to be. We will lavish one another with a few thoughtful gifts and then bring in the new year with more great expectations of living out the purpose for being in Bangkok. We will openly love those God puts in our paths, accept people where they're at and spend our time learning, loving and giving.

We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas! May you begin a movement of peace among the people you're with this year!

Missions Challenge

2011-12-19T12:44:00.000+07:00

If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God.- Oswald J. Smith

Before we were called out of our comfortable bubble of living, I confess anytime missionaries would come speak at our Church I would think..."well aren't they sweet". Then I would silently smile and say "glad it's them and not me". I had zero desire to live a life overseas. I was happy and content in all we were doing. That is precisely the problem. We should be content in all things, but I was VERY comfortable and I knew there was something more; something deeper. I knew God was waiting for me to turn that key to my heart just a little more so He could fully come in and completely ruin me for the ordinary! That He did!

Part of our job as vocational missionaries it to educate and inform people about missions. Not out of know-it-all-ness (clearly that isn't the case), arrogance or we're-better-than-you-ness. Out of obedience. We did not know because we were too scared and lazy to seek the very things that would cause our lives to feel unstable and scary! We didn't know because we didn't ask and we played ignorant to the facts brought before us!

Missionaries are serving all over the world out of OBEDIENCE. It's not a life they woke up to, desiring on their own. For some, they've always known God called them to missions-but for others, like us, it's a life we NEVER saw ourselves living. There's A LOT of information-cool things for you to know! Would you embrace this post and challenge yourself??? What would it cost you to get solely focused on missions?

Here's the challenge: support missionaries. HOW? LIVE LIKE ONE!

Any believer is a Missionary. You (we, them, us) have been called to LIVE OUT LIFE ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD. Friends, you take out missions from the bible and the only thing left is the front and back cover (- Nina Gunter).

SO-take a month and live missionally. If that is too long, try 2 weeks. Make this a priority for your family. It'll bring you closer and get you ready to support those who have been sent! Here are some suggestions:

-sleep on your floor for a month with a small pad and pillow (or put plywood over your mattress)

-avoid local food conveniences like fast food, drive through, etc.

-do not buy coffee from chain stores or seasonal coffee favorites

-program your TV and radio stations in another language

-turn off your internet in the mornings and evenings when it is the busiest "surfing" time (most over seas missionaries deal with little to no internet abilities).

-don't visit your friends or family

-grocery shop ONLY at an international market

-use 2 burners AND no oven to prepare your meals

-don't flush toilet paper-throw it away

-live on 1/2 of your typical monthly budget

-wash your clothes by hand, or in a washer and hang them to dry

-no dishwasher

-use only cold water in all bathrooms and sinks (minus shower/bath)

-walk to the grocery store knowing what you buy must be carried home

-eat rice and meat for breakfast, lunch and dinner (or go buy the most expensive boxes of cereal and see how that might affect your new budget).

-turn your heat off or REALLY low in the winter. In the summer, run only fans and when the room gets too hot cool ONLY the room you're using. (but watch the time! Electricity where we live costs twice as much as it did in the states)

-find a local area of town with refugees, foreigners, immigrants, etc. and serve them. Speak to them. Learn their needs even through a language barrier. Invite them into your home. Feed and clothe them. LOVE THEM.

-go to a part of town where you would never be accepted and try to love

-try to raise money during this month for missions. What can you do to impact those who are sent?

-be a voice of missions to your work place, church, children and family

*So many people have the "want to" when it comes to supporting missionaries yet never follow through with it. Other families like ours have come over seas w/o a large sending organization. WE RAISE OUR OWN MONTHLY SUPPORT. We're faithfully living on the sacrifices and commitments of others. Part of our job is to live as good stewards and we do our best to make every dollar (or Baht) stretch and be used wisely. The funds are running low!

IF YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER OF OVER SEAS MISSIONARIES but just don't quite "get" what they're about. PLEASE take the time and energy to get involved. THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT. The cost of moving over seas is great. The sacrifice is difficult. It's worth every bit of it, but take care of your family!

Keep missions as the forefront of your weekly Church gathering. Are they supporting missionaries? How are your youth and children's ministries working to make missions a priority? Are you planning "in-house" gatherings and social events more than getting out and serving? Are you making a monthly commitment to a missionary family? Have you decided to give yet not followed through? Are you seeking God in how you can play a part in Missions? This doesn't mean you must live or even travel overseas! Some are called to GO..but those not called to GO are called to SEND! That means you sacrifice somewhere, somehow to make sure the sent are taken care of! The more you give the more they're able to get out and bless!

Take this challenge and really walk it out. How much money will you save by cutting out fast food, food delivery, coffee, etc. etc? Gain perspective. Get excited about Missions. Seek out missionaries through your church, friends, family, etc. and see how you can get involved! It's a life you do not want to miss out on! Every missionary sent is called to do the very thing you're called to do at home! LIVE< LOVE< ACCEPT! Everyone is working for the same purpose but in a multitude of ways! GET INVOLVED!

I wish I would have done this long ago. But I'm here now, living this life everyday. I have the privilege of walking among people that are attracted to our family because of our faith. They're intrigued and interested in why we love our God so much that we would move here and learn how to live in their culture. We're an open book...use this blog as a way to gain information, knowledge and wisdom!

DO NOT PITY OR FEEL SORRY FOR US! Life here is different, and sometimes VERY difficult and frustrating. HOWEVER we are in the EXACT place God has placed us! Don't feel sorry for us...SUPPORT US!!

We have a multitude of ways you can get involved. Contact us through this blog or by email (bethclark3@me.com) for more information!

I WANT TO HEAR HOW THIS CHALLENGE GOES! WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO BECOME MORE MISSIONAL?

Missions un-done

2011-12-06T17:18:00.001+07:00

When God called our family to full time missions, I instantly thought of missions-of-old. You know, the men who wore button up shirts, ties and dress pants while the women sported long hair, skirts that resembled table cloths and well, frankly just looked and acted...WEIRD. I remember saying "God, really. You want US to be like THEM?". Oops. A bit of judgement on my part. I confess.

After doing some "pre-field" serving before moving to Bangkok, I started to see the beauty in Missions. It was unfolding piece by piece as I saw more emphasis on LOVE than PREACH. We fed more hungry and warmed cold bodies with blankets and clothes rather than sending them to a Church down the street. We LISTENED to their fears, worries, stories rather than SHOVING the "gospel" down their throats. We served. We were missional in HOW we loved, not WHAT we did.We are now 1 1/2 years into ministry in Bangkok. We didn't know much about what things would look like once we got here. We came with a large group-a team that became family. We lived in Atlanta together and went though so much! We are a close knit bonded body and I've been SO thankful for that blessing! We culture shocked together, we griped together (more confession) we hated and loved together! We did ministry together, prayed together, visioned and dreamed together. So beautiful. There are a million ways missionaries can do missions in Bangkok. It has been happening here for a VERY LONG TIME. Still, sadly, there are less than 1% Christian. Less than 1% live with hope for a better future-a sealed eternity that does not revolve around works and past mistakes. Freedom.

As most of you know, Brett laid down all his music gear back in Tennessee. He sold EVERYTHING. He came to Thailand with little to no musical equipment. We didn't think he'd ever play again. Ouch. Within the first month we checked out a Thai Church and in less than 30 min of hanging and talking to people Brett was playing drums (per the worship leaders request). He filled that room with his gift and passion. He left fingerprints of Christ. We came back a week or so later and not only was he playing but he was getting phone numbers and coffee dates left and right. He has been meeting with many of these men ever since. They share the same hunger-the same passion to see the ARTS come alive in Bangkok. To give the creative ones a PLACE to express their talent. To experience the FREEDOM to be WHO THEY ARE in a place that WILL NOT judge, condemn, laugh, ridicule or minimize who they are and what they're about. Brett felt early on that God was creating something very special...and it didn't revolve around us wearing skirts, button up shirts or ties!

For more than 6 months Brett has been working within the music industry in Bangkok. He has been GIVEN a studio, at one of THE top facilities in Bangkok, to use as needed. WITHOUT CHARGE. He has found favor with some very important people. They respect him. They love hanging with him. They APPRECIATE his talent and passion; his gift. They ADMIRE the sacrifices made to come to Thailand. They dig that he's a FAMILY MAN. And they keep calling! He has recorded, produced, mixed, worked with sound, played live, etc. All while sharing Christ through relationship. Answering questions about his faith in a very real, personal way. He has been INVITED into the Thai's lives...and he does NOT take that for granted. They understand he's a Christian-a MUSICIAN MISSIONARY of all things! They love it-they get it-they somehow connected with it even though most of them are Buddhist! Beautiful.

Today, Brett is somewhere in Thailand with a very popular band here. All Thai. All Buddhist. ALL requested Brett to come play in their band while their drummer recovers from an injury. INSANE. Missions...on the road, in the studio, at a bar (GASP), etc. There's no more box-there's just obedience. Walking in truth and entering the doors God has opened. Brett is living out this calling by using the gifts and talents God put in him for THIS TIME, in THIS PLACE, for THIS SEASON...ALL FOR GOD'S KINGDOM!

Missions can be done in so many ways. It's not up to me to decide what is more or less effective. I'm just thrilled that we can walk out our calling, stay true to who we are and not get caught up in the politics that put missions in a box. A tiny, stinky, ineffective little box! If this is what God wanted when He called us to be vocational missionaries, than I fully accept---again!

What about you? Have you ever put missions in a box? What IS missions? What's the point? Some go, some send, some sit, some run. What does missions mean to you and your family?

Surprise phone calls

2011-11-30T10:09:00.001+07:00

This day started off as any other normal day in Bangkok. It is hot. We are sweaty but home and thankful for where we live!Brett was working at his computer and I was digging in the word. Brett's cell phone rang-an unfamiliar phone number but he answered anyway.I could tell by his reaction that it was someone very special to us. He was trying to communicate that he was going to call this person back on another number, but he said to so many times I could gather there was a language barrier, and because he was going to use our home number (vonage) I assumed it was someone stateside.Brett hung up and looked at me-said "it's Sang". Immediately tears welt up in my eyes. How did he get our number? How are they? Are they OK? etc. etc. Oh a million questions rushed through my brain. Brett called him back right away and the updates began.2 years ago when God told us to sell everything and get mobile, we had NO idea what that would look like. We knew we were being prepared for something big, but had no idea how long we'd live at "zero". As many of you know it was only 6 months before our first adventure would begin in Atlanta, GA. We began MTS (missions training school) in January of 2010 and within a month started working with World Relief. We had NO idea refugees were being relocated to Clarkston, Ga and all the help they'd need. We found ourselves in the middle of an "adoption" process. Meaning, we signed up to help a family of 5 (Mother, Father and 3 young kids) who would be arriving late on a cold Jan night, straight from a refugee camp in Malaysia. We had NO idea what we'd be doing but we knew we were to help. For the next 5 months our lives were radically changed as we embraced this family and served them. We helped them get settled and continued to meet with them weekly (or more) as they pursued school, jobs, learning english, healthcare needs, etc. They came to America with nothing. They left a country of persecution and were filled with hope for a better life. They deeply penetrated our hearts with their bravery, love and capacity and desire to learn. We thought we were doing a good thing for them and it ended up them doing an amazing thing for us!We very quickly intertwined our lives with theirs. Having them join us and our team for dinner and our family meshing with the many refugees in their family. We would spend our time talking to other family members living in this community and had the opportunity to help anyone we could. We were blessed to know so many amazing families who overcame amazing trials to get to America. Sang was one of them!

Sang is the cousin of the family we adopted. We love him like a brother. To hear his voice today immediately brought tears. When we left Atlanta in June 2010 we honestly didn't know if we'd ever see or talk to any of them again. It was harder to say goodbye to them then our family. I'll never forget standing in the parking lot, locking arms, praying in tears as we said good-bye. That last day was filled with amazing memories. The Mommy, my precious sister, had a translator come and sit with us so he could express through her tears the gratitude in her heart towards our family. I could just sit and cry as I listened-and then repeated back to her the very words she spoke to me. They changed us. Completely ruined us for the ordinary!

This phone call today reminded me of the lives we can all impact, daily, if we just choose to listen, follow and obey! I'm SO thankful for the calling God has placed on our lives and I'm SO thankful for living in a time when technology allows 2 worlds to collide. We're praying in the funds to come home next summer for 2 months. We will be making a trip to Clarkston to spend more memorable time with this amazing family!You can open your door this day, wherever you live and begin a new way of living. When you leave, ask God to give you new vision..HIS vision. To see the needs placed before you. Then, you choose to walk in bravery, boldness, humility and truth as you begin seeing the many needs and hurts before you. It's worth whatever the cost may be!What impactfull experience has ruined you for the ordinary? Would LOVE to hear your stories!

2011-11-07T16:19:00.000+07:00

Thanks for stopping by! I'm currently working on a blog make over! Sorry for the delay in updates but I assure you the goods are coming soon! God has given me some great insight on a new look and content for this blog! Stay tuned and you'll be notified of the changes!!Please pray for Thailand as we continue to face horrible flooding. Much of this country is under water, and the water is creeping it's way into the city. We're still safe, but are surrounded by much devastation.Brett recently had the opportunity to attend a conference at Campus Crusade for Christ in Bangkok. While attending, he was able to share his gifts and talents by putting together this video. Take a look and search your heart for ways to assist!http://help.ministrynetconference.com/Be back soon! Much love and prayers!

Stuck in a rainstorm waiting for a taxi in Bangkok...

2011-09-08T23:48:00.002+07:00

The title of this blog could clearly be THE next big hit in the country music scene! Now, that doesn't exist in Bangkok, but ONLY in Bangkok do such experience exist! I will tell you now-this entry will start off negative. I'm going to spill the irritation and frustrations of getting around in Bangkok and that IS my intent. There's too much sweetness that happened all day long to allow the end to mess it all up. SO, I'm reversing it-will give you the crap and then the sweet stuff!We were discharged at noon today! Because we have had kids in the hospital a time or 2, we knew the process of check-out would take a few hours. SO, we sent Rhonda home with our sweet friend, so she could be there for the older 3. Brett ran a few errands while I stayed with my sleeping princess. The room was quite calm and quiet. Nurses stopped coming in, the IV was removed, the breathing treatments were done, and there-in room 763-was a tiny baby in a HUGE bed, sleeping so peacefully one would perhaps wonder why she was even there! I looked at her in amazement. In a matter of a few days, she was so much better! Our sweet friends brought some much needed coffee and we sat and waited for our papers. Finally we were out the door at around 4:45 PM. Brett and I knew that this would put us in rush hour, but were going to make the best of it! We are in rainy season here, and of course neither of us had an umbrella. The afternoon rain had begun which means getting a taxi is nearly impossible. We waited for several minutes outside the hospital and couldn't get a cab to take us to the BTS (sky train)-so we covered up Raina and started walking. We made it to the BTS dry, which was amazing and off we go. We had about 8 stops on the BTS until we were on our main street-only a quick cab ride and then we're home. WELL, the rain had turned into a small Monsoon. We walked to the cab line and IT. WAS. POURING. Actually, it was raining down like thick sheets and the wind was rapid, blowing the rain in every direction. Tiny Raina was snuggled up against me in my moby wrap and I had a cloth over her head to protect her. Some street vendors let me stand under their tarps while Brett tried to flag down a cab. It took 20 minutes. UGH. A few people chose to ignore the nicely formed line and pushed their way before us. Now, I know this happens everywhere but IT WEARS ME OUT HERE. Getting a cab and getting on/off the BTS challenges my ability to love! We finally got a cab and made it home-nearly 2 hours later. Raina was fine, but still-how frustrating to JUST be getting home and doing all we can to protect her, yet the elements of where we live prevent us from doing so! This is why she got sick in the first place. We do all we can to protect our kids and keep them healthy-but the challenges of living in a massive-polluted city, with a VERY wet season makes it nearly impossible. As I was standing under that tarp, I began fighting those familiar feelings of dislike. I was starting to tell myself all the reason I hate living here. I was mad, worried, frustrated, wet, etc. Nothing went our way and it was frustrating! Didn't dwell on it for long however. I peeked under the cloth to check on Raina and her sweet, peacefully sleeping face made me calm. She had NO clue what was going on. In her tiny world life is grand. She no longer had a needle in her hand or had to breath in a bunch of crazy mist! She was sleeping in her Mama's arms and that's ALL that mattered. She was comforted, protected and safe. In MY eyes-it was the opposite. What a picture of Christ, right? So many of the challenges we face are SO frustrating and we begin to consume ourselves with the hate of the circumstance. We fight it, cuss it, throw things around at it, etc. But really, at the end of the day, we're held snug against the ONE who promises to care for our every need. If I can just focus on His arms, the downpour of life will NOT affect me! Profound moment for me!NOW-there's the negative of the day! The sweetness is in all the moments God just showed up! The sweetness is that 4 days ago we had a very sick little girl with some pretty serious illness. We had financial burden. We had health unknowns. We had 3 other children to worry about. But in all of that, we had/have a God who not only knew this would happen but who already had a plan in action to care for us! Having Rhonda here has been amazing. She has gone wherever we needed her to go and has cared for everyone in her path, including some of our team members and friends.! Our kids have loved her being here and for Brett and I, she completely filled our spiritual and emotional cups. She encouraged. She prayed. She spoke truth. She asked questions. She was in every bit of life with us-the way we live in Bangkok. She saw and "got" the level of difficulty we face each day and began thinking up ways she could help us. She is an amazing support. She was with me as we watched needles poke my babies skin. She was with me during the breathing treatments and nose flushing that put Raina in hysterics. She was with our kids when they came home-playing games and ordering pizza. She was with me on the couch, listening to my struggles and helping me sort through my feelings. She was with Brett, listening to the ministry God is asking HIm to lead and she listened to both of us spill our guts about the truth of living as a missionary. She shared stories of Honduras and she poured her passion for missions all over us. There are many reasons why God chose to send her here. I'm SO thankful she's obedient or we would have all missed out on an amazing week!SO, we're home. It is the end of a very long day. Raina is calm, peaceful and sleeping. Everyone is asleep but me. Rhonda and Brett will leave at 2:30 this morning to head to the airport. She couldn't look at me, nor I at her tonight. She went upstairs to "her" room and we both shed silent tears. Neither of us could say goodbye. My breakdown will come, but right now I'm trying to focus on the beauty of her being here. However, when I wake up and her cheerful voice and smiling face doesn't great me, and when I'm drinking my coffee alone, it'll hit me. Why must this come to an end so soon? It's so hard to say good bye-too hard. I know she'll be back and that's all I can think about. I'm SO thankful tonight. Thankful for my healthy kids. My supportive and completely awesome husband. Thankful for friends who sacrifice and do what Rhonda did. Thankful for our team and all they did to help us this week. The depth of Rhonda's service to our family this week is beyond my ability to put in words. So, I will simply go to bed thankful. God has proven himself real to me once again. I'm humbled. Thankful and in complete awe. I feel like I've fallen in love with Him all over again!

Struggles

2011-09-06T22:08:00.000+07:00

Today, I have found myself praying for people I don't know and will most likely never meet. Parents who are holding the tiny hands of their sick children, praying for relief and comfort. Tiny babies fighting illnesses that their bodies are far to small to handle. I'm praying for the many cancer patients that endure physical discomfort, daily, and the sweet parents that watch, feeling helpless. I'm reminded of gratitude as I watch my sweet Raina. She is sick, indeed. However, she is awake and alert. She is strong and a fighter. There is a cure for her illness and she will get better. I have much to be thankful for today and have had many conversations with Jesus about His love and healing power.Day 2-We have had moments of calm and peace and moments of screams of pain and discomfort. The Dr. has been in to examine Raina twice. This morning there was some improvement. Tonight, we had a little more improvement. This is great news. Her cough attacks aren't as close together and she's able to take more air in with each breath. More great news and signs that things are working in the right direction. However, she still wheezes frequently, her cough is horrible and her breathing is very irregular. Her little 8 pound body is having to work really hard to breath. Tonight, the breathing treatments included a steroid which is to further work on the infection in her lungs and open her airway. The first 2 breathing treatments we had, she was calm and almost seemed to enjoy them. She quickly showed us her DISlike for this weird mask of liquid smoke we were forcing upon her every 4 hours! Tonight-as I was holding her, the nurse came in and started preparing the treatment. I was getting myself ready for the screams, kicking and the crazy IV arm flaring all around. Once again, sweet Raina showed us her amazing demeanor of peace. She had a rough evening. She started wheezing a lot this afternoon. She threw up a few times (due to the infection) and she was breathing very VERY fast and heavy. She was quite fussy. But when the treatment began and the mask was put over her face, she just looked at me and breathed in the treatment. For 10 minutes she looked around the room, looked at my, looked at the nurse, etc. and breathed in the treatment. I could see her relax a bit and it was almost as if she knew she needed it and trusted it would make her better. I was blown away. Since then, she has been awake-looking all around. Still fussy, but breathing a little better.This child amazes me. As I watched her breath in the medicine, I couldn't help but think of my walk with Christ. There are things in life that are just hard to deal with. Things we do NOT like therefor we kick, scream and push it all away. Sometimes the very lessons God is using to teach us-things that are for our own good (even when we can't see the outcome or understand what good could possibly come of it) are the very things we fight off and push away. Tonight, Raina taught me to breath it in. To breath in the medicine of Christ-to inhale the very things we need in order to make us better. Tonight, Raina was calm and accepting of her much needed treatment. I can only pray in such peace when it's time for my treatment! To be calm and willing to breath in the very things I want to push away!Thank you for praying for us. For our sweet baby girl. This journey is not over and we're so thankful for the many of you who are committing us to prayer-committing your finances to help us pay the expensive medical bills and mostly committing your heart to love us, support us and take care of us however you can! Thank you for being so loyal and faithful!Praying in a good night of sleep. Raina has finally fallen asleep! Thanking God for this precious girl.

RAINA-What a journey

2011-09-06T13:48:00.000+07:00

Exactly 1 month ago today I woke up with contractions coming every hour. My last blog entry was typed from our rocking chair as I clocked the contractions from 2 AM until we left for the Dr. at 7 AM. As most of you know, our daughter was born just before 6 PM on Aug 9. Raina came fast, with great intent and purpose. Though early, she was a tiny ball of strength! She proved her strength within the first hours of life. While laying on my chest she raised her head up and moved it all around. She is a strong baby!4 weeks later, we sit at the same hospital, seeing first hand the depth of her strength.Raina was admitted today and is being treated for RSV and pneumonia. Over the last 6 weeks, our kids have endured one illness after another. Between their illnesses and my being put on bed rest, and more Dr. visits than we expected, we have been knocked DOWN, financially. I have watched each of my kids, myself AND my husband battle this wretched upper respiratory crud. Most of us have been on meds. Our 6 year old had the worst time with it, and she was treated for pneumonia just after Raina was born. Then, our 4 year old caught it and now, of course, Raina. Today, as I watched the nurses poke her for blood, put in an IV, give her breathing treatments, our sweet little Raina endured it with great strength. She did NOT have a problem letting everyone know she was NOT enjoying the poking and prodding, but then she very quickly calmed in my arms and drifted into some much needed dream land!I have NO idea how long we'll be in the hospital. We're seeing some improvements with each breathing treatment, but she's still a pretty sick tiny baby.We chose RAINA based on the biblical meaning of REIGN. We wanted to spell her name Reigna- but that caused much confusion and mispronunciation. However, the meaning behind her name is that Lord REIGNS over every part of our lives. He REIGNS over these financial stresses-medical expenses we can't afford. He REIGNS over the many illnesses we've endured. He REIGNS over the unknowns of tomorrow and the mysteries of today. He REIGNS over every little and BIG thing-He REIGNS over my sweet Raina-and cares for her even more than I do.Right now, I feel knocked down. I feel stretched and tried to my limit. I'm saddened that my kids have been so sick. I've been worried about this bill-the many other medical expenses we've had and where on earth the money will come from to pay it all. I feel knocked DOWN. Yet, I look at my little warrior. My little tiny peanut with such strength. Just saying her name reminds me of how God is carrying each of us. He's with us. He ordained a trip with my dear friend, Rhonda, from the states knowing I would need the love and support at just this time. He knows we're weary and I think He's ready to show off His glory but meeting every need we have-just as He promises He will do!He truly REIGNS and I'm so thankful for that!Some people have already asked how to help us. If you feel the desire to bless us with a gift to help pay for medical treatment, you can donate through this blog. OR< email me at bethclark3@me.com for an address.Please pray for our family. Being "on the field" is a challenge. We're focusing on Christ, His plan and calling and we will continue to love on the very people He puts in our path. We trust in His faithfulness and provision! Thank you for loving on and supporting us! I'll be updating this frequently to let you know how our sweet Raina is doing! Much love to you all!

Sometimes I wonder....

2011-08-09T04:01:00.000+07:00

When I stop and think about my day to day routine, I can't help but think "really? I'm a missionary??".

When God first called us to full time missions I had a lot of thoughts and ideas of what that might look like. I envisioned our family out "in the fields" of slums and orphanages, saving everyone from their poverty and meeting their every need. I expected to come here and be Jesus to all the lost. It almost felt romantic in a sense. This great adventure that my husband and I would endure together, along with our kids. It felt like a great honor that God would call such people as Brett and myself. Oh I had many great visions of many great things. Realty meant little.

Over a year later and I feel like my life is quite boring. Truthfully, living here, as a "missionary" is not much different from my life in the states. I've had to learn a new culture and deal with many inconveniences that, if anything, have caused me to totally lose sight of WHY on earth we're here in the first place! I've spent much of the first year shedding the selfish ways of my life in America and letting go of a life I'll never live again. I'm always challenged with the question "what are you doing? What is your ministry". Or, my favorite (after someone hears me say that my ministry is my family; supporting my hubs and caring for our Children) question- "well, what do you do all day?". Really hate that question. There are days I feel like we have to have this itemized list of what we're doing. A list that shows we're worth the financial sacrifice so many give each month. An "update" of souls we've reached or lives we've touched so that everyone back in the states knows we're doing SOMETHING for the Kingdom. There is pressure to work harder to make a stronger difference.

The truth of my life as a Missionary is...I'm here to love people and that's all I know. Brett and I have decided we're done with "performance mode". We could give you a list of names of people we're investing in and tell you the many ways we see God working around us-and we hope you know that those things DO exist. But really, we're just at the point where we're learning how to be less about US and more about loving those God puts directly in our path. How to live in community with one another and share one another's burdens. How to live missionally-keeping our eyes focused on the many needs at hand while keeping our hearts pure and focused on the cross. Keeping our eyes focused on the call-the foundation we stand on. Christ. We could go and build 100 orphanages or feed 1000 hungry. We could plant 100 Churches and hand out a million tracks and bibles. But if we're not focusing 100% on the biblical example of communal living-than none of that matters. Works means nothing to Christ unless it matches the conviction the spirit gives and lines up with the biblical examples we've been given.

I love the book of Acts. There's so much to learn about how Jesus did "Church". I love that there were NO needs among the people because the people (CHURCH) met one another's needs. There wasn't a fancy newsletter detailing all those needs or a prayer card sent out with specific requests. These people were living with one another, being intentional with their lives and literally selling their stuff if that's what it took to meet one another's needs!

Bangkok is a city of much need. We are here to see, hear and respond to those needs-just as Jesus did during his ministry. The way we do it, though, is by living together, serving together, loving together and being an intentional body. This takes time. This takes patience. This takes living what can appear to be a very mundane life. You can't compare this way of living to a short term missions trip where you have 7-14 days of constant work that you go home and feel good about. We've done that. We've taken the pics of sweet faces and were changed by the circumstances we faced. Living in a new culture is completely different. I'm still trying to uncover many things re: why God has called us here. I confess that I sometimes get caught up in feeling like I need to make everyone aware that we're doing "good things". I don't know much about being a Missionary other than waking each day, loving God and loving my neighbor.

This is my focus-this is all I know for today- Acts 2
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

TIP 6-CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

2011-07-06T14:56:00.000+07:00

I'm VERY excited about this one! For those of you who know me, know that I'm passionate about leading the young into an experience and understanding of God. In the states I worked alongside our children's pastor and lead worship for our children's ministry. I've never been so full and blessed as I was during those years of serving! I was constantly learning new things about faith and God through the kids! Watching them engage in worship and choosing to get outside of their introverted way of thinking was an amazing thing to be part of!

When it comes to missions I can't think of a better generation to teach than young children. They're the ones who will be further impacting the world for the Kingdom. Everything we choose to invest in our kids TODAY will have a profound impact on lives around the world in years to come! My commitment to serve my family and raise up and train our children in the ways of the Lord could very well be preparing them to go into the ends of the earth to teach about the love and grace of God! It's exciting to think about and it's SO exciting to make them a part of missions!

SOOOO-if you're involved in children's ministry-or if your children attend a weekly children's ministry...OR if you're NOT in Church but are raising kids to be mission-minded, take a minute to read through this simple list of ways to bless the missionary kids on the field, who will then infect the kids they're interacting with on a daily basis! I can't think of a better "infection" than that!!

These are things that most kids LOVE but are either hard to find or too expensive to buy in other countries: Your Children's ministry could do fund raisers, "blessing drives", etc. to bring in these simple things and then have a packing day where they can participate in packing the boxes to send out. Get creative. Use this as a guideline and feel free to comment on other things you've done or thought of doing!!

CRAYONS
MARKERS
CONSTRUCTION PAPER
WATER COLOR PAINT
REGULAR (washable) PAINT
PAINT BRUSHES
PENCILS
ERASERS
FUN GEL/GLITTER PENS
PLAYDOUGH
BUBBLES
SIDEWALK CHALK-SIDEWALK CHALK-SIDEWALK CHALK
NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT
STICKERS
SILLY STRING
CANDY (suckers-ring pops-starbursts-skittles,etc.)
CRAFT THINGS such as beads, glitter, glue sticks, etc.
BALLOONS
HOlIDAY DECORATIONS! (great way to clean out your storage or take advantage of clearance sales. It's very hard to find items like this in other countries. Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Easter, birthday's, etc.).

The thing I love about this is that it's not just for the missionary kids. We had a box sent to us when we first moved to Bangkok, and in that was a new container of sidewalk chalk. When we settled into our house in an all Thai neighborhood, the kids and I went out to play. There were kids further down the soi (street) but no where near us. As soon as our kids started coloring on the street we had at least 8 Thai kids come down and start coloring. Ever since then we have a group of Thai kids come to our door, nearly everyday, wanting to play with our kids and their stuff. Some of this stuff they've never had before! It's such a blessing to be able to share it with them! Our girls will take all of our coloring stuff outside and sit with other Thai girls and spend the afternoon coloring and creating drawings! OR-we have a table full of kids working on craft projects in the house!! Precious!

This is how you continue to be crucial in the sending and supporting part of missions! Get involved. Get your Church involved. These are very practical and easy ways to bless another Nation!!

TIP 5-Get to know your Missionaries

2011-06-26T09:17:00.000+07:00

If you are part of a Church body that supports or sends out Missionaries, you have an amazing opportunity to infect your daily routine with images and knowledge of the people being sent to GO. Getting to know your Missionaries is a blessing for everyone involved! Think about how cool this could be for your family to get to know, personally, the very people God has sent into foreign lands. They can help introduce new culture and traditions, foods and experiences, religion and faith, etc. to your family and group of friends! It's not as taxing or difficult as you might think!

If your Church has not gone down this road as of yet, it's DEFINITELY something to be praying about. When a Church body becomes invaded by Missions, both globally and locally focused, amazing things change for the body of Christ. Begin praying how YOU might be able to make a difference in this regard!

Getting to know missionary families is quite simple. If you know of people or families through your Church, go to your Missions coordinator or Pastor and ask how you can contact these people. It starts with an email, or letter or maybe friending on facebook. Technology is AMAZING and makes it more possible than ever to stay connected and support those serving around the world. I often wonder how missionaries 20+ years ago did it! We have it MUCH easier today! Use the technology available and make a connection. Each missionary is sent to do something different, though the overall purpose is to go into ALL the nations speaking the hope and promises of Christ. This looks VERY different in each country. Here are a few starting points:

1. Make initial contact. Tell them of your interest in supporting them through prayer and communication. Offer yourself, your family, as a means of support and connection from "home".
2. Find out WHO they are and WHAT God has called them to do. Learn about their story-how they knew it was time to GO.
3. Do some research on your own regarding the country they're living in. Introduce YOUR family to THEIR new environment and culture. Look at the time zone and climate, etc. Ask your Missionary family to help you education your children on how people live in the culture/climate they're serving in.
4. PRAY PRAY PRAY. Ask your Missionary for a family picture or prayer card. Keep this in a visible place and remember to PRAY for this family and for the people they'll be in contact with.
5. Send cards or letters of encouragement. Allow this family to be a part of what YOU are doing stateside. Remember, missionaries are a branch stretching from home Church to wherever God has sent them-it's important to us (missionaries) to stay connected to what's happening back home!
6. Find out what they're interested in. What they miss and what new and exciting things they're discovering.
7. Pray about a visit! Get your passports and be prepared to serve! Supporting missionaries by showing up and loving on them, checking out the place of service and partnering alongside what they're doing is a HUGE encouragement.
8. Be a voice at your Church, small group, play group, etc. Whatever you're involved in ask others to pray for this family and share them with others! Missionaries can always use more prayer and support!
9. Get creative with ways you can shower them with blessings! See previous tips for how you can do that!
10. Choose to be mission-minded. Learn of other cultures-perhaps countries you've always wondered about. Begin searching and learning about what's going on around the world. As a body, we're using our parts to stretch all over the world. There are missionaries EVERYWHERE, but there are still unknown people groups that need the hope of Christ. Those who are called to stay have an amazing opportunity to support those who are called to GO. Spend some time with the Lord-seek His heart and mind for missions. What IS His desire for those placed around the world. Start with YOU. Decide to make a change and do all you can do to support and encourage others!

For more information on becoming mission-minded check out one of my favorite websites! www.harvestministry.org. I HIGHLY recommend both books, The Mission Minded Family and Mission Minded Child. This site is FULL of helpful information and free resources! I also recommend the 30 day challenge! My kids and I LOVED doing this!

Thanks for taking a few minutes to learn more about how YOU can be a HUGE blessing and support to those serving around the world! Love and blessings!

TIP 4-ARE YOU READY?

2011-06-20T21:31:00.000+07:00

So, lets say at dinner one night your 8 year old looks at you and says "Mommy, Daddy, I really want to fly to Bangkok and see the Clark's". Or, what if your 13 year old has a burden for Africa and KNOWS that it's time to go. OR, what if your kids ministry at Church was sending a group of kids to another country to serve for a week in a multitude of ways? Are you ready to send them?

One of the many ways you can support missionaries is by being ready to GO. There is a time place and need for short term missions. There is a time, place and need for long term missions. There is a place for small teams or just leaders. There are places all over the world that need teams to come for labor intensive work. There are countries that need no more than 5 people coming to share the gospel perhaps in villages or more isolated areas. There is a need, a MAJOR need, for small groups to come and support the missionaries on the field so THEY can continue the work God has prepared for them.

SO, ARE YOU READY? Getting a passport for each family member might seem unnecessary, but we must all be prepared to GO. Click on the following link for easy to follow steps on how to get a passport! It's simple and you'll be SOOOO happy you've gotten that done! .

PARENTS:
Another question we must ask ourselves is are WE ready to RELEASE our kids? If you're not already praying this, it's time to start praying for the strength to release your kids to a life of missions. I pray over our kids every night for God to reveal himself to them, clearly. I pray that they will follow His plan for their lives and that they'll respond to whatever call He has for them. I pray they will heed to his direction and they'll be burdened for those around the world. I pray He'll use them in whatever way He desires. That they'll GO. This is a scary prayer. Though our children are young, Brett and I know that God has a unique plan for each of them. He has created them in His image to bring Glory and Honor and recognition to the truth of WHO HE IS. I can't think of a great honor as a parent than our kids choosing full time ministry in whatever capacity that might be. However, as a Mommy I can only release them to such things by the power of Christ. Knowing and understanding that they're mine for a short amount of time. This time is my prep school for them. This time at home that can seem SO mundane and long is my time to build them up and fuel them with the very things they'll need to take into the world. They may very well be called to GO into other nations. To leave home for long periods of time serving God in a multitude of ways. Am I really ready? Start praying NOW for that time of release! Talk to your kids about missions, about missionaries all over the world and what they do. Introduce them to new cultures and facts from around the world. Open their precious eyes to the needs of this world. Lets not shelter them from the ugly when they may very well be called to shed the light in the dark places of this world! Lets commit to praying for our kids, for their mission! Lets prepare them to GO.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

TIP 3-ATTENTION SMALL GROUPS, LIFE GROUPS, CELL GROUPS, etc.

2011-06-16T09:55:00.000+07:00

OK LIFE GROUPS-THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!!

Being part of a life group has always been a powerful and meaningful time for our family. A small group of people who mesh perfectly and have the freedom and place to share every step of their faith walk together. A place to grow, share and sharpen-then take our sharpened selves outside the walls of the house and impact those around us! Our family has been blessed to be part of one of THE best life groups EVER. The Lundy Life group has walked with us every step of this journey. Even before God broke us for the nations, our LG prayed with us and encouraged us through some very challenging times. They weren't afraid to step in and speak truth, they weren't afraid to shed tears and they weren't afraid to release and send us out! I'm SO thankful for this group of people!

Having been on the field for just a year I can say that our LG has been a consistent source of encouragement and support. From our leaders who make sure we have plenty of shipments of goodies, to emails and skype calls. They're conscience of our need to hear from people back home! If we have a need, whatever it might be, we have a team we can call upon at anytime!

There are SO MANY WAYS life group's can support missionaries! The following list is just the beginning. If you are part of a LG-I strongly recommend you guys meet and come up with a plan to bless and serve those serving around the world. If you're NOT part of one, GET INVOLVED. If you are a small group leader or coordinator-take the time to read and pray through how LG's can actively participate, year round, in the sending out movement! Mobilizing missionaries to mobilize the people groups God has sent them to be a light and share the hope of Christ!

TIP 3-SMALL GROUPS!
-ROTATION: Pending on the size of your Church and how many LG's you have, you can do this in a number of creative ways. The following list is an idea of things most missionaries would LOVE to receive through out the year. If each life group adopted a month-or choose a box idea to prepare and send, you will strongly impact and encourage this team! Most of these things are items Missionaries can and do live without. They're things that make life a little easier on the field-and you'd be amazed at what a little packet of seasoning mixes can do for a stressed out Mama trying to figure out what and HOW to cook in a new culture!! SO-here are my category ideas-each Life group can pick one and go from there!

SPICES AND MIXES:
-CAKE AND BROWNIE MIXES
-MUFFIN MIXES
-BREAD MIXES
-SPICE PACKETS (taco, enchilada, chili, meat loaf, spaghetti, etc.)
-Mac n Cheese
-EVERYDAY SEAONS FOR FOOD (garlic, italian, pepper, multi-season)

DRINKS:
-COFFEE (decaf and reg) AND FLAVORED CREAMS
-TEA PACKETS (for iced or hot brewing)
-KOOL AID/LEMONADE PACKETS FOR KIDS
-HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

BREAKFAST:
-CEREAL
-POP TARTS
-GRANOLA/ GRANOLA BARS/ POWER BARS, etc.
-TRAIL MIX (one of my favorite things we've been fortunate enough to receive)
-OATMEAL PACKETS
-FRUIT SNACKS/GUMMIES FOR THE KIDDOS
-DRIED FRUIT
-PACKAGED FRUIT (mandarin oranges, peaches, etc.)

JUNK:
-CHOCOLATE
-COOKIES
-LICORICE
-CANDY (skittles, sweet tarts, smarties, gum, etc.)

BOOKS/MAGAZINES/KIDS:
-get creative on this one. You can send a ton of old magazines, interesting articles, books, novels, kids books, etc.
-Shower the MK's (missionary kids) with some things they just can't get where they live. A small box of legos or barbie doll. Match box cars and coloring things. Packs of gum and bandaids., etc. SO many little things that are SO fun to receive!
*our friend recently sent each of our kids a BOO BOO pack to keep in the freezer. NOT for BOO BOO's necessarily, but for the super hot days when they need to cool off! Clever!!

NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
-fill a box or envelope with notes from your core group of friends or Church body
-cards, scriptures, words of encouragement.
-heart felt messages: write of a time you thought of this person/family, etc. and let them know they're missed and though of. Something that reminded YOU of them.

CREATIVE CREW:
-make a video (that can be uploaded via internet) filled with hello's and encouragement from familiar faces (our home Church recently did this and it was SO fun to receive and just made us smile the rest of the day)
-personalizes something for the missionaries home. Most M's arrive on the field and live in rented apartments/or homes that are fully furnished. It IS a blessing to NOT have to buy things, but it's also challenging to have nothing that resembles them in that home. Any pictures, personalized cards, canvases, etc. make a huge difference.
*I'm blessed with many creative friends. One friend painted a small canvas with the word BLESSED on it. It's one of my favorite things in our home. She's also making each of our kids a canvas for their bedrooms. HUGE blessing!

THEME BOX:
GREAT CREATIVE AND GET OTHERS INVOLVED! Our LG leader recently sent us an entire CUPCAKE theme. This was SO fun to receive. We haven't made cupcakes or muffins since our move here. She sent a cupcake pan, with liners and sprinkles for frosting, apron, oven mit, hand towel and spatula. All matching. All ADORABLE. And NOTHING I would EVER have. IN addition, my other super creative friend made each of our kids their own apron. Serious blessing and fun!

SO-there are just a few ideas to get you and your life group started. Whatever you do will be a huge blessing to the many who are sent out!

TIP 2-a good read

2011-06-14T16:30:00.000+07:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! If you missed the latest post make sure you check out the first tip in a tip writing series on how you can support missionaries! I'm excited about all the ways we can ALL serve those serving over seas. Even though we ARE a missionary family, I'm praying in ways we can support others on the field as well! Before I hit TIP 2-I want to invite any and all feedback. Tell me what you and your family do to support missionaries, or perhaps your Church. In the next few weeks I"ll be hitting ways your Church, small group, women's group, children's ministry, etc. can help out. I know there are many creative ideas out there so feel free to use this blog as a way to communicate it!

It's important for you to know that although you might not be the one called to GO, you are then called to SEND. What does that look like? What is your role in sending? What impact are you or can you make locally and globally. It's all missions. Whether it's sponsoring a world relief family for a year within your community or adopting a full time missionary family over seas, it's all missions, it's all for God's glory and it's very important.

When you take the time and effort to support a missionary, you're giving the the fuel they need to continue to job God has given them. I can tell you first hand there are days of darkness and struggle. Oppression and defeat. Anything you do contributes to the health and well being of those being sent! It might not feel like much, and you may not get the physical gratification that you might get by digging wells or renovating orphanages, but there's a need in all areas! Supporting missionaries is crucial!

SO, tip 2-READING MATERIAL!
Get together with your kids teacher's and ibrarian's, book reading club, etc. and gather everything from magazines to novels and children's books! It seems odd, I know but I can't tell you how many times I long to just curl up and read a good book. Walking down the isles of bookstores here are not as enjoyable. Though in bangkok we DO have an english section it's hard to find much of anything christian related. The cost is significant and we don't have the budget for luxuries such as books. I'm SO glad I brought so many of our kids books with us, but it would be SO great for our 8 and 6 year old to have new and challenging chapter books to read. Here, the selection for kids is mostly everything dealing with magic and wizard related topics. Magazines that talk of cooking, home decor, fun things to do, etc. are SO fun to have. Again, another luxury but makes a big difference in the lives of people who don't have the ability to go to the book store-used book store, etc. Receiving things like this makes our day!

Our lifegroup leaders from the states support us in SO MANY WAYS. I'll get to the Lifegroup tip soon-but one thing they've committed to is sending our kids a magazine each month. Before leaving the states our kids picked what they wanted-one was Tinker Bell, one chose Sparkle and the other chose Thomas. They absolutely LOVE getting these. It's in english. It's filled with things they're used to, creative and cheap ideas of making projects. Options to color, things to read, etc. It's a very inexpensive way to support kids on the field! Getting your kids involved in missions is a huge benefit to their view of the world-they can challenge their friends, teachers, etc. to participate in something like this!

Get creative. Get involved. Get other's involved! Think about the things you love to read, the books and such you share with your kids, etc. and make a plan to send a reading package away to a family you'd love to support! Another way to guarantee their tank is filled!

Being a missionary

2011-06-13T15:04:00.001+07:00

I've been on a blog freeze for a while. I've had so many thoughts that I've wanted to jot down-but as the days progressed I haven't been able to form any 1 sense-making thought.

Today however, I have a plan! We've been on the field, serving Bangkok, for almost a year. Before God called us to this way of living, I hand't really given missionaries much thought. Our final 2 years in the states I became much more mission minded and became very focused on teaching our kids, as well as myself, the importance of missions. I wish I would have done more stateside, and that is EXACTLY what the next few entires will be about.

I'd like to encourage you, or perhaps challenge you on how you can support Missionaries. Some are called to stay put and support those who have been called to GO. I can tell you first hand what it means to receive support from friends, family and complete strangers back home. There's so much about being on the field that can be lonely and very tiresome. Adjusting to a new culture, new language, new food, new modes of transportation, etc. can be quite taxing. It's also quite tiring trying to live the day to day without the modern conveniences we were so spoiled with stateside! SO-being connected to the vine that stretches across the ocean is HUGE for all missionaries who have been sent out!

It can be overwhelming to think about sending packages or becoming pen pals, etc. I want to tell you first hand that we, missionaries, do not want-need or expect much! We're use to paring down and living on necessity with little to few wants. I'd like to give you some ideas that will fill the tank of any missionary family, couple or individual you might know. If everyone made the choice to DO something and not just THINK about doing something you'll make an impact that is beyond explanation!

This morning, our family was the recipient of gracious giving! A team is here from the states and they brought with them 3 suitcases from our friends back home. This was not coordinated through our Church (I'll get to the Church support in a few days)-this was a group of our close friends who got together and showered us with some of our most favorite and familiar things that we just can't get here in Thailand. It was like Christmas this morning. I never thought I'd hear our kids be so happy over boxes of raisin bran and Cheerios!

TODAY'S TIP:

Gather a small group of men and women and choose a missionary to support. You can adopt this person/family/couple and commit to care for them. Start with a 1 year commitment. As a family, you can fill a jar with whatever money you would have spent on coffee or eating out. At the end of each month or every 3rd month you can take that money and send a care package with some of their most favorite things. You can also fill a box with cards, notes of encouragement and prayers or perhaps scriptures that will encourage them on the hardest of days. Print a picture of your family and group that is choosing to support them so they can pray for YOU and so they can see your faces each day! Anything that brings familiarity is a HUGE blessing!
If you do this as a group the cost will be minimal. Check with your post office for tracking options as some countries are more difficult to ship to.

Most missionaries are able to communicate when they've received the packages, just give them time to receive and get their communications sent out! Being on the field can be very draining and receiving such blessings is a guaranteed tank filler!

Be looking for more tips to come! Take time to pray about who you can impact and how! There are SO many families on the fields that need your encouragement and love! Thanks for taking a sec to read.
(Below are some pics of what we received)!!

Being set apart-at age 8

2011-04-15T10:06:00.000+07:00

This week is Thailand's New Year and about the biggest celebration this country has. For 3 (some places, 4) days straight this city is under one huge water fight! You can't walk, bike, motorcycle or drive down the street w/o getting drenched! Songkran is about washing away the old and bringing in the new!

There are many traditions that, like most traditions, have been replaced by the "fun and play" of it all. For most Thai's today, this holiday is all about the water fight, alcohol consumption and zero rules, work or school for 3 days straight (or longer)! It has been fun taking part of such festivities, but I want to share with you a moment of tradition and our daughter, Aiden, who is 8.

Traditionally, the first day of Songkran (April 13) is celebrated by house cleaning. Getting rid of all the "old" and dirty things from homes and preparing the house for the new year. It is not unordinary to see people bathe their buddhist temples or surround wats with fancy flowers and foods to make their New Year's offerings. Bathing Buddha is a large part of this tradition (to read more about this holiday read here http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/songkran_traditions.html).

Last week, before the kids were released for their 1 week holiday break, they celebrated Songkran at school. We were told that this would be a day of water play. We sent water guns, bathing suits, etc and expected to hear all about the fun day they had engaging in water fights with their friends. Our 2 younger kids did just that. Aiden, however shared with us something different. In grade school, they learned and experienced more of the Thai traditions. They ate a variety of Thai desserts and learned about the origin of Songkran. At some point in the day they were taken to one of the spirit houses on campus and were given cups to bathe Buddha. This was something we were NOT informed about. We also found out that our younger kids were given the same cups to do the same thing. Our younger kids had no idea what they were doing, and washed the Buddha. Aiden, however, looked at the Buddha, all the kids participating and politely declined. Yes. Our 8 year old, stepped back, looked at the worship of this idol and respectfully and politely declined to participate. Wow.

I have thought about this for days. I asked her what she was feeling when she watched all of her friends participate. She didn't have much to say other than "I didn't want to worship their idol". At age 8, she chose Christ. She fought the temptation of peer pressure and stepped back. She is new to this school and has been battling with some insecurities, and I'm just beyond proud that she would so boldly stand out as she did. I know how proud her Daddy and I were to hear of her actions, I can only imagine the smile of our sweet Jesus, whom she publicly chose to "bathe" that day. My kids continue to inspire and change me.

Psalm 97
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, LORD.
9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines[a] on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.

Introducing CLARK SNIPS!

2011-04-13T16:17:00.000+07:00

We're excited to present our NEW FEATURE on the website! Go to www.journeywiththeclarks.com and click on the tab VIDEO BLOG.

These CLARK SNIPS are quick video snips of how we live and what we're doing in Bangkok! Our first 2 snips are 1)taking a trip to the Dr to see what our baby is! And 2)-today, we've added footage from our first Songkran day of festivities! Enjoy!

Songkran is Thai's new year and it is THE biggest celebration of the year. For 3 days (wed-fri) streets are filled with people shooting water from whatever device they can find. Trucks drive down the road filled with people and LARGE buckets of water getting everyone and anyone (well, mostly anyone) soaked! This year, the weather has been abnormally cool, and it rained but that didn't stop many from the water play! We spent all morning and afternoon with a local Church body and had a BLAST!

Traditionally, Songkran is a form of blessing. Using water to bring in blessings of the new year. To pray for rain in the upcoming season. To wash away the bad from this year, etc. They use powdered water and rub on your face, body, etc. or they just throw it. There is a belief that blessings come with the powdered water, or pouring of water. It is NOT uncommon to walk into a store, restaurant, etc. and see a temple with a Buddha being bathed by his followers!
However, like most holidays, this has become a focus of FUN. Getting people drenched. Motorbike and tuk tuk drivers SOAKED as they drive by. People walking down the street. Kids, parents, etc. It's a way to cool off and have fun during the hottest month of the year! The few who evade such activity are typically monks (who often stay INdoors) and elderly. There is some respect shown towards people nicely dressed (perhaps only a splash or 2) and or those uninterested in the play time! Typically, the rule for Songkran is be safe and be prepared for major soakage!

We had a great first day. Our kids were right in the mix of Thai's covering one another with water! We'll be out the rest of the week participating and enjoying the fun holiday, as well as pray for those we have the opportunity to interact with!

If you're reading this and have ever participated or know more about the holiday, comment! Would love to hear from you!

What I miss

2011-04-02T23:15:00.000+07:00

Tonight, I'm missing a lot from home. Like craving food for comfort-tonight, I crave comfort from home. SO, warning: I might come across whiney or bratty. I might sound ungrateful or sad. I'm in a place of missing...None of the "misses" replace the calling on our lives or the realty of why we're serving over seas. I'm not about to hop on a plane back home. I'm just sitting in a pool of misses. That's all.

I miss the CONVENIENCE of hopping in a car and driving sick kids to the Dr. I miss my pediatrician who knew everything about our kids, their history, our history and meds that did/didn't work, etc. I miss the CONVENIENCE of driving to the hospital and NOT walking for 20 minutes, while being 5 months pregnant and carrying an 8 year old who's too sick to walk. (interject the blessing of AMAZING hospital care in Bangkok). I miss the changes of season and labels on food that I can actually read. I miss being able to communicate with people. I miss cooking casseroles and baking pies. I miss sitting on the front porch of my BFF's house, drinking coffee as we listen to the laughter of our kids and dig into the word together. I miss the group of women I did life with, daily. I miss familiar foods and smells. I miss Logan's steakhouse and sweet iced tea. I miss driving my kids to the park and spending all morning outside playing. I miss my old neighborhood, filled with kids (that I could talk to) and amazing friends. I miss our parties, girls times and front porch chats. I miss the bibel study that pulled us all together. I miss the ministries we had and the precious refugee family we left behind. I miss my family. I miss our Church family. I miss having stores where I can go buy clothes to fit my growing belly (well, and other parts, too). I miss being able to buy shoes that fit my too-big-for-Asia-feet. I miss home. Period. I miss missing out on the daily life I once lived. I MISS HOME.

There you have it. I have 1 child recovering from her stay in the hospital and a nasty bowel infection. I have another child recovering from a 13 hour vomit fest and am doing all I can do to keep him home and NOT admitted into the hospital. I have a super busy husband who doesn't feel well and is working his tail off for the Lord! I have another child trying to avoid being sick but wants her Mama. I have a life. A busy, typical Mama life. It's not always easy, in fact, this week it has seemed impossible. But I have the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow and I can tell you He is the ONLY reason I even have energy to write a word. He is the reason we left. The reason we WENT. He is the reason we wake up each day in a bed that is comprable to plywood and go about our day, serving HIm in unfamiliar and uncomfortable grounds. He is the reason we press on, even on tough days and weeks like this one. He is the reason for it ALL. If I had ANY DOUBTS about the truth behind Christ's existence, or the amazing LOVE of one TRUE God, then I would pack up and go N.O.W. I would reenter a world I never thought I'd leave. I would't look back. But, everything in me knows that Christ came for ONE reason and that was so I, His chosen one, His daughter who he see's as holy, pure and worthy, would have a place in His room of eternal love! Oh how he loves us. I wouldn't live my life in this way if it weren't true. He's everything. He's all. He's worth every miss I have. And you know, compared to all He left for ME...no "sacrifice" compares.

SO, tonight I will rest in my misses and give thanks for the years and memories we were given. I will allow myself this night of misses, but then wake up praising God and ready to focus ahead and not behind. I will revisit the precious life we had and use it all for His glory, in this place, today. Tonight-well I go to bed with visions of Tennessee in my head.

Lessons from the field

2011-03-31T13:53:00.000+07:00

3 years ago our family was living in a middle class neighborhood, in a newly built home. Our kids had more than enough of everything and our garage was filled with outdoor toys. I had my nice kitchen fully equipped with a garbage disposal, dishwasher, oven, etc. I used a variety of baking dishes, casserole dishes, pampered chef, etc. Just off the kitchen I had a nice laundry room with a nice stackable front loader and dryer. Through out my days, in that picture perfect, ideal little world, I would grumble. I grumbled about what to make for dinner and then having to clean it up. I grumbled about the loads of laundry I would spend my time doing. I grumbled about how long it would take to clean my house, etc. I WAS thankful, but looking back my thankfulness was often clouded by my selfishness. Sad.

Today, I live in a Thai style home. It is nice. It is what we prayed for. It has room! It lacks everything I mentioned above! Doing dishes is a non-stop event here. We have 1 sink, with cold water (thankful we HAVE running water) and it is very low (Thai peeps are T.I.N.Y). If the dishes aren't done, by hand, right away we quickly have an array of uninvited guests. Ants, roaches and spiders. Not a "homely" combination. I probably make this harder than need be, but something about cleaning dishes in cold water just doesn't sit well with me, so we boil water each time we do dishes. Instead of the nice 4 burner range top/stove/oven combo we had-we now use a 2 burner propane powered cook top. We've discovered the propane runs out quickly, so we try to use it sparingly (fortunately it is cheap to refill). Convenience gone!

In the states I would do laundry every couple of days, and though I was thankful for the machines we had-I still complained. I never knew then how blessed I was to have both a washing AND drying machine! How foolish I was! Today, I have a nice washer that I truthfully thank God for EVERYDAY (yes-I really do laundry daily)! It is small, but efficient! Recently the kids and I spent an hour learning how laundry was done (and still is done) using a washing board and tubs of water-we quickly gained perspective regarding our blessings!
Rather than quickly tossing our clothes into a dryer to only grumble when it was done (meaning it was time to fold and put away) I now have mastered hanging 2-4 loads on my 3 drying racks (thankful for the HUGE laundry room the Lord blessed us with-fully equipped with 2 huge hanging racks)-then strategically placing fans in the room to help speed up the drying process so the racks are clear the next day for the new loads! Again, convenience out the door!

There are a 100 other things I could write that I've complained or grumbled about and now see how truly blessed we were (and still are). The bottom line is that we need to be thankful for whatever we have, wherever we are and whatever God is doing with us! I feel terrible that I lived so long with such tunnel vision! I'm thankful that the conveniences have been stripped away. Don't get me wrong, oh how I miss them! However, I pray that I'll never again take for granted the many blessings we've been given!

We are here to be a light. We are submerging ourselves into the Thai culture. Though I didn't know it, God has been preparing us for this life for years! In fact, I remember feeling bitter growing up b/c we did not have money. We did NOT have what every other family had, like dishwashers, ice makers, garbage disposals, etc. I remember getting our microwave in h/s and how exciting that was!! We didn't have a/c-but a few window units. Our heat was never good b/c we lived in a very old and poorly insulated house! I remember my Mom sweating over those utility bills! THIS IS TOALLY HOW I LIVE NOW! I was prepared for this so long ago and I'm so thankful!!

So-stay the course! Whatever track you're on just know you're being stretched and prepared for amazing things! We have the opportunity to be LOVE to a multitude of people who look to so many carved idols to fill that void. We, daily, get to invest in lives for the kingdom!

I'll leave you with these pictures of what a typical day in our Thai neighborhood has become! Wouldn't trade it for any conveniences we once had, and you can be assured that I sit in a pool of thankfulness!!

a glimpse in this moment

2011-03-27T17:10:00.000+07:00

I'm sitting on my couch, reading a book, on a calm and peaceful Sunday afternoon. The weather in Bangkok is abnormally gorgeous. All the doors and windows are open and we're receiving non-stop cool breezes. It feels amazing. 2 of our 3 have been sick this weekend. I had prior commitments both Fri and Sat which kept me away from home both days. Thankfully, Brett was home, but it pained me to leave Saturday knowing my kids were sick. Today, I had a "date" planned with the ladies on our team to celebrate an upcoming wedding. I knew I needed to be home, with my sickies and just BE here for them. Hated to miss the date, but there's no place I'd rather be than home with my sick kids.

This morning, they both woke up feeling better. Fevers were gone, stomach issues were over and we were on our way to recovery. We've had a VERY low key day, but have DEFINITELY taken advantage of both the weather AND the blessing of where we now live.

Early afternoon, as I sit and read, all I hear are the sweet voices of laughter coming from outside. Our kids are riding bikes down our soi (street) with 4 Thai children. The kids and I were playing with sidewalk chalk, and would occasionally take breaks to ride their bikes. Our curious new friends made their way down to our house and have been playing with our kids for nearly an hour. It is amazing to hear them speak in their native tongue, as our kids speak in ours, yet continue to laugh and engage oen another with precious, innocent play.

God tenderly reminded me of a rooftop vision He gave Brett and I 3 years ago, on a rooftop in a village in India. This would be the moment Brett and I knew God was asking us to let go of the life we had been living, and fully surrender to His plan for our lives, which ended up being overseas missions-thus our being in Bangkok. As Brett and I were over looking this village, staring at all the garbage and poverty, we both saw our kids playing with the other kids (vision). No shoes, few toys, just outside in the "soi" playing as kids do. Laughing, engaging, indifferent to any and all culture indifferences and just enjoying life as God would desire. Today, I'm seeing this vision played out and I'm teary. Our kids have ZERO issue with playing with others who do not look or talk like them. They creatively find ways to communicate and enjoy each other. I'm so proud at this moment of the character of our kids, and of our family's choice to NOT avoid the call but to GO as Christ commanded. What I love even more is that when the moment and conversation comes up, our kids will share the love of Christ. It's happened at school, on the playground, during lunch,etc. It might just happen outside our home, on the soi at anytime! Glory!

This was HUGE evidence for me today. We are exactly where we should be doing exactly what God has asked us to do! AND, as a side note-had I put my own selfish desires before my family I would have missed this amazing moment! More confirmation that I'm EXACTLY where I should be! All praise, honor and glory to THE one TRUE God!

Significance in a bloody, puss-filled wound

2011-03-23T21:59:00.000+07:00

This week our team had the opportunity to lead an english camp at one of the ministry's we've partnered with since moving to Bangkok. Originally this camp was going to be lead by a group of student's coming from Lifepoint Church. They were to come spend a week with our team doing a multitude of things! We have been planning this for months, but this 3 day camp was all them! Well, due to the tragedy in Japan, which is where their connecting flight was, the team had to reschedule their trip. This left our team with the task of hosting the english camp with over 200 students from grade 1 - 9. One of the many things I LOVE about our team is that we face trials head on and make the most of what we have! God has put this team together in such a perfect way and each one of us had a gift to contribute to this week! The US team did a great job in their preparation which made our job MUCH easier and although we hated to see their trip post-poned I believe they would have been proud of the work we did!

I'd like to share with you a moment Brett and I had. I'll warn you now, it's not a pretty moment! This confession is much like a horrible cut that got badly infected and oozed out puss and blood. NOt pretty...AT ALL! Trust me when I say there's a reason for exposing my nasty self!

Sunday night I was getting everything together. Had the kids backpacks ready to go, notes to teachers regarding the change of transportation for the week, snacks, etc. Spent the evening going through my music to get the songs ready as I would be leading worship for grades 1-3 in the morning. Here's where the cut begins! I haven't done much outside of caring for our kids and home since moving to BKK. It's been a struggle. When I found out I would have the opportunity to lead children's worship again I was beyond excited. It's one of my greatest passions. Worship is my heart and to be able to lead young children into the presence of God through music is just beyond amazing. I was full of confidence and knew that I finally had something SIGNIFICANT to contribute. I was picking the best of the best of songs, getting music sent to our team, lyrics printed, etc. Brett was helping me get everything together. We had burned a CD to use for tracks as we didn't have a full band. I checked the CD and realized a song was left off. So, I burned a new CD. Packed everything up and was ready for the big day!

Monday morning, we got to the school early. I was getting myself prepared for worship and then ready to teach grades 1-3 all day. I was feeling really good and SO excited! I was just starting to sing through the songs with one of our teammates when Brett walked in the room, holding up the CD questioning if I had burned it. Well, I didn't like the way he asked me (here's where the infection begins) and immediately got defensive. Of COURSE I burned the CD. This is like MY thing, I KNOW this part of my job...I KNOW I burned the CD. Well, clearly I didn't because there was ZERO music on it! 4 songs we needed and had nothing but a blank CD. I was LIVID. Brett and I began fighting and playing the blame game (cut looks to be GREATLY infected at this point). We quickly scrambled and got a computer to somehow find new songs...which we had about 10 min to do so. We found 3 of the 4, but they weren't tracks-they had full vocals. It was NOT what I wanted (OK, starting to see a little puss coming out of this wound now). I had EVERYTHING planned out just right, and there's NO way I was going to sing along with a CD..how lame (OK, A LOT of puss oozing out now). I had no choice. I convinced myself that the entire morning was ruined and that worship was just going to stink. (OUCH...THIS CUT REALLY HURTS).

It's time to get in the room before the kids enter. By this time I had heard that a few other couples on our team had some little arguments as well, and then I realized how sly the enemy is. He was getting to all of us because for 3 days in a row over 200 students would be hearing the truth and love of christ. OUCH. (this is where the blood comes pouring out). Before the kids entered, Brett and I made up and I realized why I was SO mad. I wasn't going to be able to "prove" I could do something. No one would know that I had skill or talent. I was -once again-going to feel insignificant (anyone have some antibacterial ointment...bleeding a lot now). I was SO consumed with ME that I had completely pushed anything God had planned out the door. I took up all the room! I was SO ready to prove myself and get my significance filled for the day that I miserably failed the test we were given. Who was this event really about? What where we really coming together for? I can tell you now that it should have had NOTHING to do with me, but I made it ALL about me. (could use some help in cleaning this wound).

Repentance was all I could do. The kids still hadn't entered and I was standing in a room, getting ready to worship our God with a nasty, puss-filled, bloody wound. P.R.I.D.E. Yuck. I repented and immediately asked for forgiveness. I do NOT have to perform to feel significant. My significance, OUR significance comes from ONE person and that is God. My only concerns should have been "Lord, am I pleasing you today? Am I doing what you've asked me to do?".

God is SO gracious and good! The kids came in with SO much joy, enthusiasm and excitement I had soon forgotten about all that happened and just focused on why I was in front of them. I had a man to introduce them to , and his name is JESUS. One song after another I watched those precious kids smile and sing to Jesus. They were AWESOME and had SO much fun, and they rocked out for the 1 true God! It was precious.

Time to stich up the wound! We had been teaching all day, had to pick up the kids from school and then head to a team dinner. It was wonderful, but it was a LONG day, followed by a VERY long weekend. We were ALL exhausted. I got home to piles of laundry that had been neglected, empty fridge, empty shelves in the pantry, etc. My absence over the weekend and all day Monday made for 1 majorly disorderly home.

My significance? My worth? It's all in God and it comes out in the little things I do through out the day. Thankless tasks or things that don't seem fun or important but mean everything to a family! I have realized how much I depend on others to make me feel like I matter. That I am an asset. AFter Monday's event I realized how little I am compared to the Almighty God. I do not need to sing on a stage or get a room full of kids excited to worship in order to feel significant. I AM significant because God says I am!

The rest of the camp went beautifully, including today where we ended with a 2 hour worship fest! I did lead worship, we DID have full tracks and it was an amazing time. I woke up praying that NONE of it would be about me. God got all the glory today as HE did a marvelous thing. 200+ kids heard about a man named Jesus who gave his life for all of us so we can live with our creator, the ONE true God, forever. Heaven was explained, salvation was explained and these kids learned of the love of our amazing God. We may never know what seeds were sown over these 3 days, but I continue to learn how insignificant I am in everything I try to accomplish on my own! Without Christ I can do NO GOOD THING!

Significance hidden in contentment

2011-03-17T17:11:00.000+07:00

I've been on a search for significance since landing in Bangkok. Truthfully, I thought I'd be much further along in this process than I am. I haven't updated this blog in quite sometime because I've had so much heaviness-I simply have been at a loss for words. Even as I sit and write today I'm just praying that what I'm about to share will make sense.

I've posted previous blogs about the frustrations of being home all the time and not being fully involved in "ministry' as I once was or I would like to be. God has really been working on me regarding this role I'm in. I'll tell you honestly that we've been duking it out! I want to plea with him that I'm able to do more than I do, and that He's given me certain talents and gifts to be used for His glory...so why am I not using them? Like He doesn't know this, right?

This morning, after having another selfish outburst about not being involved in anything I started praying and just searching. I was recently asked a question that bothered me, and as I was in this little fit I recalled this reoccurring question that just annoys me "so, what do you do? Oh, you stay home...like all day? Well, what else do you do?"..U.G.H.!!!

Being a full time Mommy/wife and vocational Missionary are titles that carry a heavy load. We no longer live in the 50's and people pretty much know how hard stay at home Mom's work. There are few downtimes. But when asked questions like the above I get so frustrated b/c I feel like all of the sudden I have to make up a list of what sounds like really cool things that I'm involved in to make myself feel good about what I do. I've so bought into the lie that I have to be doing SOMEthing like ALL the time, otherwise I'm viewed as another stay-at-home MOm who just does laundry and cooks/cleans all day long. I've been making myself, as well as my husband and kids, crazy with all the whining I've been doing!! I have felt entitled to be able to do more. Things that are more meaningful, more significant, more purposeful and meaningful. Especially now that our kids are in school and I've been released from homeschooling, I should have a jam packed schedule full of ministry, you know b/c I am a missionary and all.

OH SO MANY LIES IN THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH! Here's the thing; the truth. I could cram 100 things into my day and be a ball of anxiety and stress for my family when everyone gets home. I can scramble my day around and not have a calm home just so I can squeeze ministry into my everyday balance. All of that is possible and could easily happen. But, as I sat in our home this morning, digging through scripture I realized how peaceful our home was. It was clean, smelled good, laundry was going, dinner was planned, and my daughter who went to school and got sick was comfortably home, resting in this environment. What on EARTH is more significant and meaningful than being available to and for my family? Oh I've just been missing it. I thrive on making our home a place of peace and comfort-and the times it IS filled with stress and tension are when I'm fighting to break out of this and be someone more. Hear me when I say this, THERE IS A TIME AND WILL COME A TIME FOR ME TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN MINISTRY. I know God has a specific plan and timing to use me as He see's fit. I'm a purpose filled woman who God desires to use. I'm not saying that I'm destined to always be home! I do however think that it's very possible that I might not lead another to Christ, or heal sick, etc. but 10 years from now you could be reading about our 4 children who ARE leading others to Christ and changing this world! I'm realizing more and more each day the profound impact I have in my kids life and the significance that involves. It is NOT an easy job and most of the time it's pretty thankless. This is where contentment is lived out.

Paul learned how to be content in all situations. When in plenty or in want, Paul was content. He chose content because he believed in God THAT much. I live a good life, and yes, although we are in a foreign land and face great challenges, God has paved the way for our family. If I lose focus and take my eyes off of Christ here, our kids will flounder. My husband will flounder. I'm realizing, after much rebellion, how significant this role truly is. Truthfully, it's a role I've always desired but because it's become so difficult I've assumed I should be out searching for more "things" to fill my schedule so I feel like I'm contributing in some way!

I might not be involved in much outside these doors, during this season of my life. But I believe with everything in me that our 3 (soon to be 4) littles will grow to know their heavenly father and it is my prayer that they will choose to serve Him with everything in them. Today I have contentment in knowing that when 3 precious kids come home from school they have a nice, calm, clean home to walk into with a table full of afternoon snacks waiting for them. They have a safe place and willing ear to hear about the day they've had and a support system to help with homework. They have someone here to encourage when the frustrations of the day come out and they have love before they go to sleep each night. If I accomplish nothing more in this lifetime then I will face my Father, my Lord and savior, at the end of my life and Thank Him for allowing me this time at home with my kids! I regret the days I've been sour about this and I celebrate the days ahead now that I realize how significant this is.

I have time through out the day to talk with God about my future and the things I will be doing. Some of you reading this have been my partners in ministry. Do not think I'm just throwing in the towel and turning away from any and all opportunities that come my way. I will prayerfully consider all opportunities to serve, and in the meantime I will walk my kids through this life with a mind focused on Christ. Being mission-minded and prepare them to GO when God calls them out! I will support my husband in the role God has him in and stop thinking so much of ME and what I want to accomplish. God is using me. He will continue using me. There is a balance and when the time is right, I will open more doors to minister in the way HE has planned. Until then, I will continue making this home a safe haven for all of us!

And those are my thoughts on contentment and significance today! More to come!

We're just along for the ride~

2011-02-04T20:59:00.000+07:00

"I will praise you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, oh most High."

God has been doing some kind of work in our lives! I'm so filled with joy and excitement and have SO been looking forward to sharing this miraculous story with you! Hope you enjoy this new journey!

As some of you may know, Brett and I made the decision to start homeschooling after we knew we would be leaving for missions training and then relocating to Bangkok. This was and has been a very difficult decision and though we've had many great days, most of our homeschooling days have not been good. In Bangkok, homeschooling is twice as difficult and we've seen a lot of unhealthy changes in each of the kids. Nothing major, but because they're not around other kids they're becoming very shy and introverted which is NOT their personality. We live in a very small apartment and just being able to concentrate on school work each day has proven to be very difficult. The weather has affected us as well as it's so hot, all the time. These may sound like complaints but really, it's just a hard realty. Homeschooling is not going well. We're doing our best to give the kids all they need, but what we cannot do is put them in a place where they'll thrive, both socially AND educationally.

SO-we've been praying. I've been desperately praying for God to do something to get our kids in school. I began praying about this while we were in Atlanta as I struggled with homeschooling each day. I started praying more intently once we arrived in Bangkok and I experienced the level of difficulty! Homeschooling is VERY foreign here-kids go to school. It's very isolating and lonely for all of us! International schools here are VERY expensive and completely out of our ability. Which is where God comes in:-)

Last week, Brett went to an all Thai Church where he met some of the leaders. It was literally one ordained meeting after another! One of the men Brett met asked to set up a meeting for this week to talk "church" stuff. We found out that this gentlemen, Chris, works at one of the best International schools in Bangkok. I jokingly told Brett that morning "pppplllleeeaaassseee have a great meeting". Really, we just prayed. Well, when Brett called me I could tell by the sound of his voice that it was an AMAZING meeting. Are you ready?

Chris is the DIRECTOR of this International school. He asked Brett where our kids attend, which lead to the conversation of us being here as missionaries, etc. This school's tuition fee is $13,000 PER KID/PER YEAR. Are you choking? We were. Chris shared with us that his wife's parents have a heart for missionaries and the ability to send their kids to school. He offered us a "scholarship" allowing all 3 of our kids to go to school for $3,000 TOTAL. For the year. TOTAL. 90% discount to attend THE TOP SCHOOL in Bangkok. This place is amazing.

SO-obviously we would need to raise $3,000 quickly. We immediately wrote up a letter to send to everyone we know, but once it was written neither of us felt at peace about sending it. We waited. I had talked to a friend whom I shared this entire story with. She knows better than anyone how difficult this has been for us. The next morning, she called me and told me she and her husband spent the night praying and that God clearly spoke to them about giving us $3,000 for the kids! NOW-here's another amazing level of this story. Our friends had recently sold their house, expecting to break even. They are not a couple bringing in thousands per month and living the "good" life. They're blessed, don't get me wrong, but what I'm trying to say is they don't have disposable income! However, they continue to give away more and more, thinking less about what they want and more about what GOD wants! They're hard working like most people we know, and often live pay check to pay check. They were being obedient to what God spoke to them. After they called to give us the great news, they received a call from their real estate agent who shared with them some GREAT news. They did NOT break even on their house, they were walking away with just over $3,000. Yes, that's right. The very amount they blessed us with came to them unexpectedly! GOD IS FAITHFUL.

But wait….IT GETS BETTER!! In addition to the $3,000 we would need (and now have) we need to raise about $500 more for uniforms, shoes, books, etc. Brett and I prayed and worked on another letter to send out. This letter shared the story and then put the need out there. Well, again we didn't have peace about sending it out-so we waited. We knew God would provide the remainder of what was needed, but we were thinking we needed to put that need out for all to see. WELL, Thursday morning I was sharing this story with another very close friend of ours, who happens to be one of our biggest monthly financial supporters. This family has committed an insane amount of money to us each month, while they care for their own VERY LARGE family. They also live pay check to pay check, but live on more faith than any paycheck could provide! She told me that her husband had received a bonus check from work and they had already decided to send us $500 above what they give us monthly. Are you with me….she had NO idea what was going on when they set that money aside for our family. That check completed the financial needs we had to get our kids in an AMAZING school. Oh GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!

The kids are SO excited and can't wait to go to "real school" again. They're thrilled to start making friends and take art and music classes! This school represents 20 nationalities which means they'll be exposed to amazing culture and diversity, but because it is an english speaking school they'll finally be able to talk and engage with other children! The daily structure and amount of activity and academics is so far above and beyond anything they've been getting at home!!

I know not all of you share the same belief in God as Brett and I do, but moving here and living the way we live and working on the things we're working on continue to reveal to us the realty of who God is. He has blessed us with an opportunity that we would have NEVER been able to receive. This is not a coincidence but a direct answer to prayer! We're not asking you to believe what we do, but we wanted to share our hearts about how this happened and we can't do that without crediting God for working it out for our good! Every part of this story is evidence of a faithful God who takes care of His children!

We have an appointment on Tuesday with admin to hand over our paperwork and get the kids placement tests taken. They could possibly be starting NEXT WEEK! CAN SOMEONE SAY AMEN!!!

Thank you for praying for us, supporting us and taking this journey with us! We SO look forward to sending out updates on how they're doing, the friends they're making and the growth they're experiencing! For me (Beth), this is an amazing opportunity to get more involved in our team activities (I've missed a lot of what we're involved in due to needing to be home with the kids), There are already opportunities coming up where I'll be able to serve more and walk out the ministry God has for me, aside from being Mommy and wife. Amazing things continuing to come our way!

It's a blessing to share all of this with you! Thanks for being part of our story!

Random thoughts

2011-01-21T23:13:00.000+07:00

The 6 month mark is hitting me in unexpected ways. I could blame all of my feelings on pregnancy hormones, but I think there's more to it. I have a heavy heart tonight. I have a lot of frustrations that I'm praying through. I have a lot of random thoughts.

If ten men are carrying a log — nine of them on the little end and one at the heavy end — and you want to help, which end will you lift on?
- William Borden

Imagine living in a country where you hear gunshots being fired all day long. Imagine living in fear as the country you're in seems to be falling apart. Imagine being 3 years old, crossing a very dangerous border with your Mama, and dropped off at an orphanage hearing "she's staying here...I'm not coming back" and then watching your Mama walk away. This is just ONE of many heartbreaking stories Brett is living out right now. He has been working hard, along with 2 other men from out team, to complete an orphanage for around 40 kids in Northern Thailand. They (the kids)have been sleeping in tents for months now, slowly watching the walls go up, concrete poured, etc. Today, Brett shared with me that they were able to get the 22 boys into their dorm. He said the boys were OVERJOYED and grabbed their few belongings and raced in to check out their new "digs". They had freshly painted rooms...meaning they had walls! They had temperature control...meaning they had ceilings. They had BEDS, meaning no more hard, cold, wet tent ground. Mostly, they had a taste of Jesus. They received the gift of love through service of obedient followers. They tasted a bit of what Jesus has to offer. Their circumstances are devastating. There is little hope for them as they're not even recognized as refugee's. They merely exist on what's been provided with little ability to be self reliant. What Brett and the guys are doing is SO great, but there's SO much more to be done. There is 1 woman taking care of these precious people. She's outnumbered, and has limited resources. God has poured his favor over her and her ministry and she has made it possible for these kids to have this orphanage, to have food and clothing, etc. Even to have an education (she has made a small school for them as well). She is a Saint in my book. Some could read about these kids, or this people group and question what kind of Jesus or God could exist when people are really living like this. Trust me, I've struggled with these thoughts. Just being honest. When we constantly walk the streets and see lost, broken, impoverished, enslaved, deceived, etc. people all day long, I've had to ask God where he's at. The thing is...WE are where HE'S at. See, when we all take part of something, it becomes a GREAT thing. This one woman cannot possibly complete all the work that needs to be done. She's not to proud to call the guys and ask for help. She's reaching out to the body and asking for more hands and feet! Brett, Brandon and Kyle are being the hands and feet right now and I couldn't be more proud of them for that. However, my heart is still heavy and burdened. I can't help but think of the many paralyzed and enslaved believers around this world who are missing these important calls because the junk in their lives is leaving them deaf and blind. There is SUCH need EVERYWHERE. I hear so many excuses from so many people as to why they aren't doing anything "yet". Either it's finances, it's uncertainty, it's unawareness, it's laziness, full plates, etc. The thing is, "sympathy is NO substitute for action" (David Livingstone). If we all took part in one small thing, that small thing would become a GREAT thing. AND this doesn't mean necessarily moving across the world!

Several Church's have been preaching from the book Radical. Truthfully, I've read parts of it but not the entire book. I love it. I'm behind it. Our family is living it. What frustrates me is when I hear sermon's about getting "radical" but limiting what that fully means. Radical living, to me, isn't just a challenge to go on a missions trip or to serve weekly at a local food bank. Living radical is getting extremely uncomfortable and giving up, or sacrificing things you'd never dream of letting go of for the sake of helping someone! Selling a car or 2 to send a family overseas to fulfill their calling. Cutting your overhead or downsizing your home so you can furnish an orphanage or feed a family of a widow. If you read Acts again, the early Church is a beautiful example of how Christ desires our TODAY Church to function. There were NO needs of the people because the Church (the people) met the needs! If someone had to sell their possessions to make sure another brother had food on their table, that's what they did. We've come SO far from that. And trust me, I'm in this boat. Brett and I had to really search our hearts 2 years ago after God opened our eyes and pierced our hearts to fully and completely trust Him for the great unknown. Asking us to sell and walk away from everything that was comfortable and familiar, not to mention a life we'd always dreamed of. Well, it wasn't easy. It's NOT easy.

However, days like today when I hear what Brett is doing I get fired up that we're here in this place. Brett is impacting the lives of 40 young kids who have been walked away from. Not all of their stories are like the 3 year old girl, some (believe it or not) are far worse. He's loving them. He's caring for them. He's laughing with them, playing with them and mostly being the light of Christ for them. Jesus is very much in that orphanage. I believe He has a plan for those kids. I just think more hands and feet are needed to meet the needs! My question is what are we doing? What are you doing in your family, in your workplace, in your home, your Church, etc. I think we can all be doing more, and when we start doing more we'll see more, pray more, seek more, find more, rely more, trust more, weep more, repent more, etc. It starts today. It starts with each of us choosing to let go of what we hold onto so tightly and dearly and start meeting the needs of those living right outside our door!

God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.
- Hudson Taylor

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
- Jim Elliot

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.
- C.T. Studd

Will you go to His feet and place yourself entirely at His disposal?
- William Booth

6 months later.....

2011-01-16T20:43:00.000+07:00

A lot of transitions have taken place in the Clark household. Brett and I, along with our 3 kiddos, are approaching our 6th month of living in Bangkok. This blog is a highlight of what we've endured; culture changes, transitions, new experiences, etc. Our most recent newsletter (http://www.journeywiththeclarks.com/journey_with_the_clarks/eJourney/eJourney.html) was a highlight of the many different ministries we've been involved with. This blog is more of a journal of our struggles and truth of what it's like to sell all, pack the rest and relocate around the world with a family of 5. Enjoy the journey...

Month 1:
Dealing with fear, doubt, worry, frustration, heat, exhaustion, all-over-the-place emotions, etc.
I clearly remember the 2nd day the kids and I arrived. Brett and I were at the grocery store and I had a melt down after seeing the reality of what grocery shopping had become. Labels we couldn't read, familiar food we couldn't afford, hundreds of people pushing the same small carts down the same small isles, pushing their way to what they needed (meaning lots of shoves). Of course, I have to mention the smells. The smells of the canal as we walked to the store. The smells of the food carts along the streets with a variety of foods totally unfamiliar to us. The smells of the store. Poultry. Fish. Meat. New fruits. Different vegetables. It was all new. Not worse than the states, just new to us and completely unfamiliar. Between food and learning the BTS sky train I doubted I would ever make it in a big city.

Month 2:
H.E.A.T. Walking EVERYWHERE. Language barrier. Language school. Thai food.
This month was victorious in many ways. We had learned how to get around the town using BTS and MRT. We could roughly communicate with cab drivers (mostly by saying hello and pointing). We had started language school and began attending a local international Church that began new friendships and ministry connections. Brett was adjusting with being home more and finding that new role. This month was the beginning of new meetings and new opportunities that were finding him wherever he went. For me, it was a month of adjusting to full-time Mommy-hood and home school teacher. Though I did both of these in the states, I also had a network of friends in the same boat, as well as ministry I was passionate about. This entire month was a time of seeking the Lord for direction and wisdom. It was also the month I was really learning how to cook without an oven! Yikes.

Month 3:
RAIN SEASON. Wow...it rained A LOT. Doors were beginning to open! Brett started assisting in worship, weekly. Our team was gathering, brainstorming, praying, worshipping, etc. Culture shock was settling in BIG TIME. The heat continued to be unbearable. The food, though some delicious, continued being a big challenge for us and the kids. The sites of homeless, young mothers with infants on the streets with dirty cups asking for money. Prostitutes, young and old. Western men purchasing these young woman for sex. The city that never sleeps is full of great darkness that we were just beginning to uncover. Still, we were making great relationships with amazing ministries such as the Baptist Student Center, where we saw the impact they were making in many lives. We began teaching english and forming more relationships. Language was coming along and our basic Thai was improving, little by little. We bagan exploring parts of this city like the big park downtown, water parks, zoo, pools, bike parks, etc. Bangkok is huge, but offers some wonderful attractions for families and people of all ages. Beautiful scenery was catching our eyes, flowers everywhere, especially covering the many spirit houses we would pass each day. By this 3rd month we were also seeing the genuine hearts of the Thai people and appreciated their warm welcome to us "farang's" (foreigner).

Month 4:
Snowball! The friendships and connections made from month 1 (to current) took on a new pace this month. Brett and some of our team members helped in flood relief efforts. The flooding that affected slums north of Bangkok were in great need and it was awesome to be a part of that relief. Brett also took a trip, with Brandon, and a team from Newsong Church of Bangkok, to the Burma border where they served a large group of refugee's. This was heartbreaking and ignited a flame in all of us to continue seeking God for more opportunities to serve. Brett and I were privileged to be part of an amazing worship event, and then spend a week with Pastor Eddie and Jameson from RCC Church. The lingering emotion in our heads this month was Thanksgiving. Our first holiday away from home, traditions, smells, foods, season changes, colors, etc. Though we were busy focusing on the great things God was bringing our way, we did have to work through a lot of sadness. We made Thanksgiving a memorable day, and we started a few new traditions, but we were all thinking of home. The families we left, the friends we may never see again, the other friends we miss so much it hurts, the growing nieces and nephews we miss, the babies being born, etc. etc. It was the beginning of some sad times and some reminders of the cost of following God's plan. It's NOT easy, but there's no place we'd rather be than in the center of God's will. He sustained us, He comforted us, and through the amazing growth of technology, we were all able to share time with our families via the internet. THAT is a lot to be thankful for!

Month 5:
In the beginning of December the kids were already talking about Christmas. We were thinking back to the traditions we once had. We were all missing home by this point, BIG TIME. Bangkok showed us some beauty though, that helped ease the pain a bit. The King's birthday is celebrated more than how most Christian's celebrate the birth of Christ. For a week leading up to the King's birthday, Christmas lights started filling the streets throughout Bangkok. Malls started out doing one another with lights and decorations. Fireworks filled the sky on the night of the King's birthday and oh man what a sight! Soon after, lights, Christmas trees, Merry Christmas/Happy New Year signs were flooding trees, stores, malls, etc. It felt a little like home (minus the cold) at night as we marveled at all the lights. We were blessed with our own little tree with lights for the kids which made them very excited! Our team took a fantastic 2 day getaway to a beach a few hours out of Bangkok. Being out of the city and experiencing a new level of peace and quiet was heavenly. We weren't surrounded by millions of people and we were able to just enjoy where God had placed us. We were thankful for sending Church's back home who see the value in us getting away! After coming home, it was time to get back into the rush of living in a Big city. We struggled. We were still dealing with some culture shock, and the upcoming holiday took us to a new level of that. We were still adjusting to all the new things I've described in previous updates, and now we had the heaviness of doing that when our hearts were strongly connected to the many friends and family we so desired to be with back home. It was a hard month. However, we did begin new traditions and had a nice, relaxing Christmas day at home with the kids. Our team popped in and watched Christmas movies with us and we ate a lot of chocolate chip pancakes with EXTRA whip cream! New traditions for a new way of living.

Month 6:
In the thick of it. This month, we're moving forward with our language. We've come along way but have SUCH a long road ahead of us. Learning Thai is very difficult and we try really hard to make it fun and not take it too seriously. We will learn this, it just may take longer than we hoped! The biggest news was obviously the discovery of bangkok baby #4. We've started looking at new housing possibilities and a better environment for our kids. A place to get out and be able to play and hopefully make some friends. There are a lot of things going on within our team and starting up a Thai Church plant. Right now, there are so many logistical things happening, a lot of strategic planning and vision casting. Our team continues to seek God for direction, discernment and wisdom in the many doors that continue to open. We are cautiously, but boldly walking through as many doors as we can. We feel more settled now. We have gotten somewhat used to the pace of life in the big city. We're used to how and what we must cook. We enjoyed a couple moths of cooler weather and have acclimated to the sites and sounds of a sleepless city. We continue to ask God for friendships for our kids. The hardest thing, still, is them not having kids to play with on a regular basis. We trust God for this request and know that in His timing this will happen. Our kids continue to adjust but are talking like they've lived in a big city all of their lives. They can get their own BTS tickets and are able to read the map on the back telling them where we're going and how many stops until we get there. They're asking culturally relevant questions and are seeing, first hand, the importance of why God sent us here. They're closely knitted to one another, which is a huge blessing, as we push forward with homeschooling. They've come with us to assist in english camps in the slums which exposed them to another depth of why we are here! They impress us, daily, and push us to be more easily adaptable in difficult times!

We're excited to see what the next 6 months has in store. I'm happy to be in this place. There are many unknowns, but we know we're here for a purpose and we trust that God's plan and timing are impeccable. We continue to walk this journey with much hope that God's will be done in each of us, and through out this country. I'm not sure the separation from friends and family will ever feel good, or get easier, but we have to be thankful for technology, again, and the many abilities we have to stay connected! We're hopeful for the future and continue to take God at His word and trust the many promises He's professed over our lives!

We hope to update more frequently with the many things we'll be doing. Thanks for trucking along with us. We always covet and appreciate prayers being lifted for our family, and you may always contact us for struggles you might face or prayers you're in need of! This journey is traveled together..we're here for you just as you've been for us! More later!

Christ discovered in unexpected places-PART 2

2010-12-20T22:28:00.000+07:00

Poverty struck families. Lower class working parents. Uneducated adults and children. Pets roaming with illness, and near death. Streets covered in trash and animal feces. Smells of unbathed children and heads crawling with lice. Mouths of young children filled with rotten teeth. Parents unable to spend time with their kids b/c they have to work, therefore streets are filled with unsupervised young children, fending for themselves.

THIS IS WHERE WE FOUND JESUS.

Our 1 day camp was amazing. 60 children gathered in a Buddhist temple to spend the day learning about JESUS. Several of these kids come from Buddhist families, and several attendees were Muslim. The day started off with play time. There weren't balls, nets, toys, etc. There were 2 old carts with 3 wheels and plastic chairs which provided hours of fun for these kids..INCLUDING our little white kiddos:-) It took our 3 all of 2 minutes to jump on and enjoy their new friends! All of us started playing and taking a look at the precious kids that would quickly etch themselves into our hearts!

The camp started with worship. We did everything in English, but had interpretors. Worship however was all in english. We really didn't know what to expect. Would they enjoy it, would they understand the words, would they be bored out of their minds??, etc. NO WAY. Jesus was there. His presence was felt and worship was amazing. One upbeat song after another and they were loving it. They were participating in all the songs, hand motions (most of which were made up on the fly) and even sang out in a few of the songs. I heard kids throughout the day singing some of the songs we lead. SO awesome! We had 3 worship gatherings throughout the day and though we were wiped out by the end...it was some of the best worship to be part of! Within teaching the first song of the day, we had to stop as the Buddhist temple across from the one we were in was filled with a fire work explosion (not literal explosion). We learned they do this when a request has ben granted. They praise Buddha with a crazy, long-lasting fire work extravaganza! We had many distractions to battle just within the first hour, but continued to press on!

By lunch time we had gotten to know the kids in our groups very well. The quiet and calm, the sad and lonely, the hungry and poorest of poor. The trouble makers and the angry. We had to battle the language barrier and cultural difference in how the kids are raised. In this particular area, kids are literally on their own all day long. They have no one to discipline them let alone care for basic needs. They're rough but about the most precious kids you'll ever meet! They have purpose and meaning. They have intelligence and significane. They have hope. But sadly, they don't realize this yet. By looking at their smiles you'd think they were the happiest kids in the world. Truthfully, though to us their circumstances seem heart breaking, they know nothing more and complain about nothing. They smile, play, and are H.U.N.G.R.Y. for love, attention and affection. JESUS DISCOVERED AGAIN.

The teaching of Christ's birth was an important element of our day. We were able to introduce the HOPE they've been needing. But, more than that, we were able to show by actions what that HOPE represents. LOVE IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. These kids do not see white people very often. Especially not white people who desire to be with THEM. They were chosen. They ARE special and WE were blessed to pour 6 hours of our day on them. Was it exhausting, YES. But beyond worth it.

I think the most meaningful time for me was the end. The kids didn't want to go home. Some did, but the loneliest and most hungry desired to stay. They clung to Crystal and I like we were their everything. We couldn't walk w/o little hands on ours and in Crystal's case, hands ALL over her! She had a little group follow her everywhere! It was difficult to deal with, but it broke our hearts b/c these kids get so little affection, love and attention. I'm so thankful we were able to pour that into them.

In that moment, I realized how desperate they were for love, peace, hope, joy, etc. Maybe they don't even realize that yet, but we know it. We saw it. And, as they were clinging to us, their source of hope, I can't help but reflect on my life with Christ. Do I cling to him like He's my only source of hope? Not like these kids~ They taught me a lot about the life I live and the relationship I have with Christ. The truth is that He IS my everything. Without Him, I can do NOTHING. It is only because of HIs love, mercy and Grace that I was able to pour into these kids lives. Our team is here because of Jesus. No man. GOD. I will cling to the memory of these kids hanging on us and hope it motivates me to get a little more needy for Christ!

I look forward to more unexpected places to find Christ. My hope and prayer though, is that eyes are opened to truth. These places are exactly where we should expect to see Christ! No more surprises. Whether it's another temple or high class business meeting...we should expect to see Christ wherever there's need. If we walk with our eyes on Him, we'll finally see all the need that surrounds us, daily, and can then begin to focus our lives on all that really matters. J.E.S.U.S.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR NEWEST VIDEO BLOG ABOUT THIS CAMP ON OUR SIDEBAR!

Christ discovered in unexpected places

2010-12-17T09:36:00.000+07:00

The great jewish leaders of old were certain the messiah would come, but not in the form of God in flesh, and certainly not born to a poor, young virgin deemed "useless" based on her class. It was not expected for the savior of the world to be born in a stable, placed in old cloths and put in an eating trough with a low key, unannounced arrival. With the exception of 3 shepherds hearing the great news, the birth of Christ happened in unexpected ways.

The stories we read of Jesus' years in ministry happened in unexpected ways. Standing for prostitutes, tax collectors, thief's, murderers, etc. Forgiving and healing people most of us would judge to be "unworthy". Associating himself with the very people the religious leaders turned from. Unexpected.

If Jesus were walking this earth today, it can easily be assumed that he would not be in the newest mega Church or typical Sunday school class. No, his presence would be in those unexpected but gravely needed places. The bars that host the drunks and hopeless. The brothels that hold the enslaved and heavily bondaged. The broken marriages who need redemption. The countries with underfed and under cared for families, children, etc. He would be with the confused, the lost, the weary, the misguided, etc.

This weekend, in Thailand, his presence will be represented in a Buddhist temple. Our team has been given an unbelievable opportunity to host an english camp for over 100 Thai kids. This is in a community of Buddhists, but a Thai(Christian) leader/Pastor has loved on his people as Christ loves his Church, therefore, his presence is accepted and welcomed. (UNEXPECTED).
One of our team members has formed a God-ordained connection with this Thai pastor and has already invested a lot of time in this community. When the flood hit Northern Thailand, our team was there to help with relief efforts. I remember when Brett came home, he was blown away by the kindness and acceptance from the people in this area. God's presence is there-in yet another unexpected place.

This Saturday, we will teach an all day english camp, through the gospels. The telling of the Christmas story, the GOSPELS, will be taught, spoken, sung about, etc. to over 100 kids. The owners of this land are allowing this to take place in and around a Buddhist temple. Only Christ could make His presence known in such an unexpected time and place!

God is moving in amazing ways here. Please be in prayer for all of us this weekend. There will be challenges. But our main objective, aside from teaching the story of Christ, is that their hearts will accept the love we bring. That the day will be glorifying to God. Yes, His word will be spoken, but more than that, His love, acceptance and truth will be represented in yet another unexpected place! Pray the hearts of these precious kids will be open and willing to accept!

Full

2010-11-25T23:16:00.000+07:00

Today was an amazing day. For most our team, this is our first holiday season away from home. Away from traditions, sights and smells of holiday cheer, family gatherings, etc. We've already shed some tears in reflecting on past holiday fun and we've had fun sharing stories of traditions. Today, Thanksgiving 2010 was nothing I expected it to be. Several of us decided we wanted to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Easier said than done! We spent a day going all over town trying to get whatever we could that was familiar and would work for this meal (all while keeping within our budget..American food is NOT cheap). Our kitchen is the biggest (you should be laughing)-and without an oven we had to get a little creative! We quickly scratched the idea of a turkey cuz they're far too expensive here...and well it's difficult to cook without an oven:-) So, we had 5 amazing Thai chickens to accomodate the rest of the food. One of our team members made homemade stuffing (amazing) and homemade apple AND pumpkin pies (she has access to an oven)! We had potatoes, salad, bread, homemade cider, etc. etc. AMAZING. We were all completely and miserably stuffed...but it was all SO good we continued going back for more!

One of my favorite moments of the day was worship. After we filled our bellies over and over, we sat down and began worship. It wasn't just our team here, we had a Thai family come to join us for their first ever American Thanksgiving. This is a Thai pastor (Christian) and his wife and their baby. This couple is doing amazing things in the Thai community and God has allowed our team to stand behind them and support their efforts to raise up and lead Thai Church's! It was so amazing having them be here tonight, worshipping with us. We also had a young Thai woman who continues coming to our team gatherings. She's become family and is Buddhist. Can you picture the scene? A group of mixed nationalities praising God in a small apartment with full bellies...oh it was amazing1 We were with the people God sent us to reach. Though Buddhist, our friend couldn't help but engage in the music and fellowship, therefor engaging with a loving God! We were also embracing the spirit with Thai believers who haven't been fed. Not just a thanksgiving meal but a spirit fed meal!!!

This has me thinking about what it means to be hungry and full. All day long, as we were cooking and preparing for our meal, I kept thinking about how amazing it was going to taste. I think I woke UP hungry for this meal! When the cider hit that 2 hour mark of brewing it filled this apartment with such sweet aroma, my mouth watered. I paced my food intake all morning so I had room for the feast, and once I hit that spot of fullness, it was all SO good I just had to go back for more.

What if I approached everyday with Christ in this manner? What if I woke up everyday knowing that my experience with him was going to be amazing. That every part of Him would be delicious and worth whatever difficulty I might have faced upon our time of meeting? What if I allowed myself to be in preparation mode with Christ all day long, everyday? I can only assume that His presence would smell, feel and taste SO good that I couldn't help going back for more-and more-and more.

I'm So thankful for this day. For a team who has become family. For a family who loves. For a place to live, food to eat, etc. I'm mostly thankful for a God who doesn't give up on me. For a God who loves me so much that He waits for me to move towards Him, and when I finally do, He completely fills every part of me in such a way that leaves me craving for more! There's NO leftovers in this time with Christ. I want all of Him at this sitting! For He is the only meal we can consume that leaves us hungry for more..in a healthy way!

I hope and pray your Thanksgiving leaves you completely full and satisfied in christ! Happy THanksgiving!

OH: and the second best part of the day was ALL the food we were able to send home with our friend, and Thai pastor, for him to spread through the village! Yes, thankful indeed!

Some random thoughts...

2010-11-17T22:28:00.000+07:00

Month 4 of living in Bangkok. At this point, the things I initially thought would make me crazy, do not. The things i NEVER expected to bother me are making me a little crazy:0

Here's what I've gotten used to:

-Cooking w/o an oven
-Doing smaller loads of laundry in a barbie sized machine and hanging the clothes on the "balcony" to dry
-The smells
-Getting around on the BTS-MRT-motorbike taxis, regular taxis, and of course, the water taxi
-Living in 800 square feet with 5 people (OK, this one is still a little difficult)
-Living on very little but having EVERy need met
-Market shopping and Thai cooking
-Homeschooling...LOVE IT this year! THAT my friends, should be considered a miracle!!!
-stray cats and dogs (seriously, they're everywhere)
-1/2 gallons of milk, small fridge, reduced shelf life (the food goes bad really fast here due to the lack of preservatives) and buying things we can read!
(side note: got lots of happy's from home and I was most excited about the fact that I could actually read what we were making). :-)
-Running the air only when we can't take it...and running it only until THE ROOM is cooled off (no central air being used through the unit all day long....makes sense!!).
-Turning the shower off in between shampoo and body scrubbing (our kids have mastered this one).
-Boiling water to do dishes...then using my handy rinsing bucket!
-Taking luke warm/cold showers. Not b/c we lack hot water...but b/c it's SO hot we typically desire a cold shower! (our 3 year old son asks for a cold shower EVERY DAY!).

Here are the things that are still a bit challenging:
-Walking EVERYWHERE. Average 25 min walk to wherever we need to be. Taxi's are great unless the traffic is backed up...which is pretty much all the time:-)

**For you Franklin, Tn readers: If you were to leave your house, go to the dirty Kroger, get your groceries, pack them up in a backpack and 2 fabric bags, then walk to the RCC Church office on main street....in the hot, thick humidity...with 3 kids...you've just shopped for food like the Clarks!****
-The insane mass amount of people
-The language barrier
-Having very little space (indoor and outdoor) for our kids to play and just be kids.
-The heat. Yes..it's still very hot and humid and well, there are days it just stinks.
-The traffic..oye.
-Not having a dryer. Call me vein, but I do miss having a dryer!

Things I just miss: These are a few of my favorite things:
MY FRIENDS and FAMILY. This is by far THE MOST difficult part of this journey. There are days where the kids and I just look at all our pictures, laugh and cry a little! I'm SO thankful for our friends and amazing family!

Having a car: Though I would NEVER want to drive in Bangkok, I really miss the convenience of packing everyone in and quickly driving to our destination (not to mention being able to put groceries in the trunk and NOT have to worry about the weight and walk).

Change of seasons: This is a hard one. We are missing the sights and smells of Oct - Feb state side! Though holidays are celebrated here, it's just not the same. I miss pumpkin spice lattes, the holiday scented candles, the breads, cakes, etc. OH all of it! We missed the colors of fall and already miss the gathering of family during holidays (Thankful plug: VERY thankful to be serving with a team...yet again. We will have our team/family feast on Thanksgiving and Christmas). WE miss the chance of Tennessee snowfalls! Oh, I could go on and on!

I miss the places I could go and have peace and quiet...or just fun.
Book stores, library, parks, etc. Thrift stores, garage sales, walks around our neighborhood, Target and Dollar Tree!

OK, that's enough for now. Here's what you need to know. 4 months in and God continues to blow us away. We have all we need and more. We are loved and cared for by SO many. We have an amazing team we serve with and walk through the daily battles of lives as missionaries. We are learning the language, be it slow, we are learning this culture and are daily reminded just how blessed we are. We see God moving in the Thai people and doors of opportunity continue to open. Our team is doing more than ANY of us thought we would be doing within the first year! Our kids are healthy and at peace. They're speaking with mission minded thoughts and they're seeing how more of the world really lives. Even on our toughest day, we are content in knowing God has sent us here to fulfill His purposes. We will continue to walk obediently and continue to shred the ways we once lived! It's humbling.

Love all of you! More to come soon!

Why we're in Bangkok

2010-11-12T22:55:00.000+07:00

This sums it up! For those of you who support us, faithfully through finances and prayer, It is my hope that you're blessed by this. You are a huge reason we are able to "share and pass" the food! For those of you reading and following our story-we can ALL take a part in missions. Whether you are stateside or across the globe, there are "hungry" people everywhere and we have the source of nutrition that saves lives! I LOVE harvest ministry and EVERYTHING they're about! I highly recommend checking out their site and ordering The Mission Minded Family AND child books. They're SUCH a powerful resource and eye opener!

Take a few minutes to read the article below, and get a clear picture of why our family is serving overseas! It's NOT because their is a lack of need in the states....it's because across the globe the table is unbalanced and we have to share the portions we've received!!

Blessings this Thanksgiving season! I know the Clark family is in awe of all God continues to provide!

http://harvestministry.org/thanksgiving

N.O.W.

2010-11-07T14:55:00.000+07:00

Meaning of Surrender: To give up possession of; to yield; to resign; as, to surrender a right, privilege, or advantage. (http://ardictionary.com/).

When we heard God gently say "sell everything and get mobile" we had NO idea what would come of our lives. We knew God was preparing us for something much bigger than our feeble minds could comprehend. I remember watching Brett sell one drum set after another-one snare drum after another (he had an amazing collection of beautiful and amazing sounding snares that he loved) and was amazed at his surrendered spirit. He didn't fully know why on earth he was letting go of what he spent so many years building up. But, he did it. He was obedient and surrendered. Then, it was on to the studio gear. It wasn't long before this calling that we had just built our new home, and Brett completed the construction of a gorgeous studio in our basement. Dream fulfilled. It was GORGEOUS. When he started selling gear, piece by piece, we wondered if he'd ever do what he loved doing again. We surrendered our will, our dreams, hopes and desires and confessed to God our willingness to travel the road he planned for us upon creating us! NOT an easy thing to surrender to because in that surrender you lose COMPLETE control of your life! As my sweet friend has claimed over her family "My life is not my own" (see http://www.blessingsfromethiopia.com/ to read their story of surrender).

Having been in Bangkok now for nearly 4 months we've been in complete AWE at what God has blessed us with. Leaving the states we didn't know if Brett would hold a set of sticks again. We didn't know if our passion for worship would be used. Again, we were surrendered to God's plan for our lives. God loves us. Oh how he loves us. He has designed us with unique gifts and talents all to be used for His glory and to grow His kingdom. He knows what he's doing in your life and ours! Our job is to be obedient to whatever He asks us to do, and he chooses to bless us beyond anything we deserve! Who are WE to stand in His presence and proclaim our love and thankfulness to the one who gave up HIS life for US? Amazing.

Last night, Brett and I were part of something amazing. Among many other things we've been doing in Bangkok, last night was a beautiful night. We were part of a worship service hosted by a Church we've been attending. They're doing amazing things in Bangkok and within 20 minutes of arriving for our first service 3 months ago, Brett has been playing nearly every week! He's been blessing people with his talent and passion for worship! I have recently been given the same humbling opportunity and last night we found ourselves on a stage with all THAI (and one from India) believers, worshipping the One True God. Brett and I looked at each other several times wondering "how did we get here???". It was amazing. As the spirit lead worship, we witnessed Thais, Americans, and many other nationalities come to the Lord in hunger and brokenness. In humility and thanksgiving. We were part of something so much bigger than we are and it was so fulfilling.

We continue to face surrender and all that word entails. It's VERY easy to get caught up in what we want or what we think God wants us to do. We are here to love-to serve and to introduce the Christ that has been hidden behind small boxed-in beliefs for too long. We are here to share the evidence of Christ in our lives and the hope of the Lord. Last night, there was an explosion of praise. There was an awareness of just how small and insignificant we are without Christ. There was an explosion of love and truth spoken over hundreds of people.

God is bringing back all we let go of and more! You can check out http://www.newsongbangkok.net/ to see footage of the event. There was a live feed that you should be able to check out. You can also go to http://global.newsong.net/ for more info on the streaming.

God continues to do amazing things with our family and team here in Bangkok. Keep those prayers coming! Stay tuned for our next Mission Minded blog!

MISSION MINDED MONDAY

2010-11-01T23:21:00.001+07:00

How's this for vision?

"World Relief is the story of the Church at work providing comfort to the world’s poor and suffering."

As I mentioned in one of our previous posts, we will be doing a weekly "mission minded" blog entry in hopes that MISSIONS becomes a part of everyone's lives. There are SO many ways to serve, both locally and globally. My hope, prayer and desire is that everyone does SOMETHING. If we all do SOMETHING the needs of this world will NOT be so dire and heartbreaking. We have amazing opportunities to partner up with some amazing visionaries who are caring for "the least of these" (matthew 25:40)!

Today, I want to introduce you to WORLD RELIEF. We first learned of World Relief last January when we began our 6 month training at GFM (more about them soon). Our eyes were opened to the depth of ministry this company does throughout the world. For those of you reading stateside, you HAVE to check out their website and see how you can get involved..TODAY. IT's SIMPLE. It doesn't require much and once you jump in, you'll NEVER regret it.

When we first signed up to "adopt" a refugee family we truthfully had NO idea what we would be doing. Before we knew it we were at the airport welcoming this precious family of 5 who had just arrived from Malaysia where they were staying at a refugee camp. They were chased out of their home in Burma and placed with thousands of other families. They arrived with few possessions, looks of fear and exhaustion and great unknowns. It took them a month or so to trust us-but we spent time with them. We helped them get settled. We met whatever physical needs we could. More than anything WE LOVED THEM. For the remainder of our time in Atlanta we spent loving them and learning all about them. They became part of our family as we did theirs. We had 1 or 2 days a week set aside to be with our family! World Relief does AMAZING things for these families, but they cannot do everything. There are too many coming in to take care of. They need more hands and feet, hearts and willing vessels to do what they cannot.

Few days go by where I don't think of our family. The memories of our kids playing together, laughing and speaking (in different languages) is heartwarming. I'll never forget standing outside their apartment, all of us weeping, as we prayed together one final time before we drove off, in our van, filled with the few things we had left. It was time for us to relocate to Bangkok...and the looks on their faces as we pulled away will forever be etched in my heart and mind.

YOU CAN DO THIS. There are World Relief "hubs" in several states. PLEASE check out this link and see how YOU can become part of an amazing, life changing ministry!

http://worldrelief.org/us

HelpLive

2010-10-26T12:59:00.001+07:00

A few months ago, Brett and I discovered a wonderful Church in Bangkok. Newsong, Bangkok does some amazing things in regards to ministry and loving the locals. Our first visit, after a brief conversation, Brett was behind the drums assisting in worship! He's been playing ever since (most weeks). The worship leader and Brett made an instant connection and we were both floored when we learned Kilang was involved in a ministry that assisted refugees.

When we were in Atlanta for our missions training, our eyes and hearts were opened to the hundreds upon hundreds of misplaced families. Most are chased from their countries for political and religious reasons. We were fortunate enough to work alongside a wonderful ministry (more bout them next week) who places these families in homes upon their arrival to America. Clarkston, Georgia is one of the most diverse square miles in the world! Our family adopted an incredible family of 5 from Burma. We had the gift of picking them up from the airport and helping them transition to living in the states. Saying goodbye to them was heartbreaking as 6 months of loving them changed our lives.

It is NO accident OR coincidence that we NOW have the opportunity and privilege to work with HelpLive. In November, Brett and I will take the kids on a 6 hour van trip to the border of Burma and Thailand. On the Thailand side there is an amazing group of displaced refugees who need help.

Please take a minute to watch this video that Brett put together for HelpLive. There will be more info posted soon re: our trip and the nature of what we'll be doing. Please start praying now!!!

vimeo.com/channels/clarkjourneytv
(the video is on the sidebar of this page-video blog 4).

Love and Blessings!

Beth and crew

Being mission minded

2010-10-24T17:03:00.006+07:00

Before God called our family to vocational work as missionaries, I confess my thoughts were more LOCALLY focused rather than GLOBALLY. I had a desire to serve those in need and to spread the word of God's love and grace, but I didn't really take those thoughts beyond my "Jerusalem". It wasn't until our trip to India nearly 2 years ago that my heart and mind was open for the lost and unfortunate of this world. I remember feeling so broken. Not so much for the people I met, but for myself. I saw how inwardly focused I had been for so long and I knew, on a building rooftop, it was time to change. God was revealing the devastation of SO many throughout the world. He was using that experience to reach a passion and burden Brett and I had and didn't even know it.

Since that time, we have been through our missions training, we have served outside of our comfort zone and are now living "on the fields" in Bangkok. My passion and hearts desire is to post the importance and necessity of missions. Not everyone is called to sell all they own and move across the world. However, we are ALL CALLED TO GO (Matthew 28:16-20). That means opening our hearts and minds to the needs of those living right outside our door. That means supporting missionary families financially, prayerfully, being a penpal, a source of encouragement for those who have been called to leave their life of comfort and ease and live among the lost and impoverished of the world. That could mean downsizing where and how we live, and become immersed in a lower class culture in our hometown. There are SO MANY WAYS to be mission minded.

So, each week I'm going to start posting ideas, thoughts and suggestions for you and your families. Most of these are things you can do with your children. It's a fun and exciting way to see the world through the eyes of a servant and get outside our comfort zones!

This first site is one I use, and will probably post A LOT. This is a 40 day MISSION MINDED CHALLENGE that you can do with your family. It's a 5-7 minute video with exercises you can do-and share with your friends and extended family!

I'll be praying for you as you look beyond the walls of comfort and get excited about the many ways we can serve~

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Many of you reading this are doing so many amazing things for the Lord. I'd love to hear things you've done in your own families. We are always looking for new ideas in how we can serve and bless others. There's SO much I've yet to learn and discover so please feel free to leave comments on how you're serving, what you do as family service projects-what your Churches do, etc. We can all help each other get mission minded as it MUST happen both locally and globally!

http://harvestministry.org/challenge

Love and blessings!

Jesus and the umbilical cord

2010-10-17T22:52:00.000+07:00

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:5

We've been studying John 15:5 for sometime now with our team. I have to confess that though I've read that scripture many times, it has never really sunk in. When our team leader started discussing it, I was amazed at how many times I've skimmed by this powerful passage and never "got" the depth of this teaching.

I'm a pretty simple minded girl. Most deep, theological writings go way over my head. I've never claimed to be a biblical scholar and really have little desire to get into deep theological discussions. I'm simple. I like things put in a way that I can relate to. I like it when things are visually presented and somewhat tangible! Not always possible, but when it happens I soak it in. I love teaching my kiddos for this very reason. When I know they're just NOT getting something, we go to a visual, tangible demonstration of whatever the lesson may be, and it sticks. When memorizing scripture we put it to either music or hand motions...and they always remember it! It's simple and it works!

SO, as I was speaking to a woman here about her faith and walk with the Lord we were talking about the significance of Christ. This woman knows Jesus and is a Christian, but staying connected to Jesus in a Buddhist world is a very difficult thing. Especially for this woman who is the ONLY believer in her entire family (extended and immediate).
As we were talking the Lord revealed this explanation in reference to the umbilical cord (and my sweet friend just so happens to be pregnant).

When the baby is growing and developing there is a long umbilical cord attached to the baby and placenta which is attached to mama. All the babies growth and nutrition come from that cord. He/she sustains life due to that cord. If that umbilical is cut, wrapped, tangled, etc. the babies life has ended. The baby is no longer able to grow and develop as planned because the nutrition has stopped. JESUS IS THE UMBILICAL CORD! As believers, we MUST be connected to the cord (vine) as that's where we'll receive our nourishment so we're able to go into all the world and speak HiS name to the lost, broken, orphaned, widowed and weary. Without that connection we are lost. We lose everything we need in order to grow and sustain life. Just as John 15:5 says, "those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING". Just like the baby who cannot grow without that cord, we cannot grow without a daily connection to Christ. There is purpose, meaning and need in that connection. Jesus is our connection to God. Our ONLY connection to GOd. Jesus IS the way, the truth and the life and NO ONE comes to the father except THROUGH Christ (John 14:6). Staying connected to the vine is just as simple as a baby staying connected to the cord-but at some point the cord is cut!

Jesus spent 3 + years training his disciples. He was preparing them for the time he would be cut off from them. He was building them with knowledge, truth and light (nourishment) so that when he left, they would continue the journey they began. Much like when a baby is born, the source of nourishment is cut minutes after birth. The baby then has a new source of dependency and that's the need for others. A baby cannot sustain life without someone choosing to care for their needs. LOVE them, Feed them, clothe them, provide shelter and comfort and warmth, etc. When we accept Christ and begin our journey, we have the cord (or vine) and that is the word of God. If we do not spend our days reading God's word, we cut ourselves off from the only nutrition we need to grow and sustain life. Reading scripture is one of many ways the Lord speaks to those who call Him Father. When we are attached to that word (the vine..or the cord) we are opening our minds to the nourishment of all good things. We have to stay connected to that lifeline!

I hope that makes sense. My journey with Christ has been both connected and disconnected. I can look back at the times I separated myself from Him and can see where death was evident. Not in a physical sense-obviously-but the cord was clamped and oxygen wasn't getting in!

My prayer is that if you are a believer-you are making that connection a priority. Meaning, you are in the word, seeking God, searching HIm for the path He has chosen for your life. If you are seeking and do not yet know what truth is, keep looking. Ask questions, research, dig, feed yourself until you find truth. Remember John 14:6 (mentioned above). Stay connected to the vine and your fruit will reveal the greatness of God.
"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love" John 15:9

Wednesday's

2010-10-16T09:10:00.000+07:00

Wednesday's are becoming my favorite day of the week. We've cancelled school every Wednesday (kids love it) and head to a bible study at an International church. I spend the morning with other women, of many nationalities, studying God's word and life as missionaries. Our kids spend 3 hours with a precious Thai believer who teaches them, plays with them and loves on them. It's awesome.

As soon as we leave the soi where we meet, the kids and I grab a cab and head north to spend the day with my precious new friend. Last week when we met, she and I talked so much about Motherhood and living as a believer in Christ. She isn't new to faith in Christ, but she IS the only believer in her family which can be a very challenging and difficult way to live. It's quite easy to be pulled back into what she has always known b/c she hasn't met a lot of christian women. Very common. It is NO accident that we met last week, and became instant friends. She is one of those people that you meet and KNOW you will be friends for a VERY long time! We both feel like we've known each other MUCH longer than a week!

We talked about how wonderful it would be to start meeting each week and study the bible. She told me that she desires to have a home church/bible study but doesn't know enough to do that. I'm no bible teacher but told her we'd study together. This past Wednesday I went to her house to what I thought was going to be her and I hanging out. Shortly after I arrived, her friends starting coming. One after another, Mother's with their babies and their extended family (Grandma's, Aunt's, etc.). She looked at me and asked if I was ready to share!! OH MY. Totally wasn't prepared but LOVED the opportunity. For the next 3 hours we sat and talked, learned from one another, discussed questions about parenting, food for babies, etc. We shared stories and hardships. It was FABULOUS. Some of these women are Christians, but most are Buddhist. All I know is what God has taught me, which is what I'll be teaching and it's an amazing opportunity!
Beginning next week we will start studying weekly but it's much different than I thought. These women are interested in knowing how to raise their children with good morals and character. They have a lot of questions re: identity, purpose for existence, etc. The Lord clearly showed me that we need to start studying creation. So, I've been studying and working on a lesson and am SO excited about what God is teaching me! I would appreciate your prayers as I know I'm ill equipped for such a calling, but I know it has NOTHING to do with me, but EVERYTHING to do with God and His desires for these beautiful women and children. What a humbling blessing to be part of this!

Here's a cool testimony of how God provides. My friend lives about an hour or so out of the city. I wasn't prepared for the cost of such a long trip. I had my travel money with me, but only had enough to get to her house. The entire trip there I kept watching the taxi meter go up and kept telling God "I know you'll provide...I know you'll provide". Truth is, I knew I didn't have enough money to get home AND get the kids dinner (we didn't leave until 5:30). As my friend was walking me to the cab, she handed me an amount of cash that just happened to be EXACTLY what I had spent to get there. She told me that she believed God was telling her to pay my cab fair. SERIOUSLY!!! God is SO good and had an amazing plan for ALL OF US.

I can't wait for next week. These lessons are rich and full of truth and love. I'm so thankful for this opportunity and all God is teaching me!!

And I as embark this new venture, Brett's schedule is filling up with one opportunity after another. God has us here for a purpose beyond ANYTHING we'll ever understand. However, we will continue to walk this journey as we believe with everything in us that this is exactly where we're suppose to be. We're in our 4th month "on the field" and are living like we live. God is opening one opportunity after another. Not because of anything we do or who we are, but because He has a perfect plan. We said "YES" and the rest is up to Him! Will you say "YES" to the unknown? I can promise you that as difficult as things get, saying YES to God continues to be THE BEST choice we've ever made!

May you be blessed beyond measures and see the beauty of God today in everything you do!

Divine meeting

2010-10-06T17:20:00.000+07:00

This week has been a struggle for me. We're in the middle of dealing with transition and culture shock, so I really never know how I'm going to feel day to day! Somethings are easier than I ever thought they would be, and things I didn't think would EVER bother me tend to make me crazy!
Today was my weekly bible study class. It always fills me as we begin our day with coffee and food (YUMMY food might I add) and it seems that every week God has just the right person to share just the right story to help me hear what he's trying to teach! Awesome morning. Awesome class. Awesome revelation.

After class I had a lunch date scheduled with Susie and a IMB (International Mission Board) missionary she met. This kind woman wanted the kids and I to come to her home for lunch. She's been here for 4 years. When we arrived to her home, we were kindly greeted and welcomed, and served a wonderful meal! She had a Thai friend of hers there to meet me. Another mother (yippee) of a 10 month old. The first thing I noticed about her was how vibrant and full of life she is. Her expression and demeanor was peace and joy. Our son, Adley, was drawn to her, immediately. He was talking to her, asking her things, etc. It was SO cool. She speaks english amazingly well as she spent time in the states studying. We were on the floor playing with her son when she just opened her precious heart to me. She was asking me typical mom-to-mom questions and then started sharing her story. She grew up Buddhist. She was baptized at age 15, which is when she learned of Christ in the states. She wasn't granted a work visa so returned to Bangkok (this was years ago) and was pulled back into her Buddhist roots. Common and makes total sense. As she walked this journey she lost peace in her "religion" and she told me she felt hopeless. She was a successful business woman and quit her job to be a mommy. She shared the sense of hopelessness in her life and was really searching for the importance of her life. She "happened" to enter the area of town where the BSC (Baptist Student Center) school is. This is the BSC's mission statement:
The BSC exists for two reasons: Teach Language with Excellence & Transform Lives for Eternity. We believe lives will be impacted for eternity as we devote ourselves to sharing the gospel, teaching language, establishing new churches, and partnering with other Great Commission Christians.
Several of our team members teach english here, including Brett. My new friend started volunteering here and in doing so she found a rekindled relationship with christ. She returned to (what she stored deep in her heart as) the truth. The only truth that made sense to her.

Friends, this woman is so precious beyond words. She is hungry to know the Lord. She is the ONLY Christian in her family, including her marriage. This is nothing to be taken lightly. She has sacrificed a great deal to follow christ and has a genuine hunger to know more about this savior that has changed her life. She has been praying for Christian friends as she has few. She doesn't attend Church b/c it's difficult with the dynamic within their marriage. She sent a message to some of her friends a while back, inviting them to come to her home, talk mommy talk and study the bible. These are other non-believers in Christ and a few of them desire this. She told me that she is NOT able to teach the bible as she is just starting to learn it for herself. You see where this is going?????

Our team is here to raise up disciples so they can one day raise up their own people in the teachings and ministry of Christ. People like my new friend who have the heart to serve God, but have no where to go are the exact people we're here to reach. It was NO accident that our lives crossed today. She and I will start meeting on Wednesdays to study the bible and connect as sisters in Christ. We will also spend this time learning each others cultures and language. This is a DIRECT answer to prayer and is an amazing opportunity!

I'm so fired up today. I'm fueled and just beyond excited when I think of the potential and possibility here. This young woman is smart, vibrant, beautiful but most of all HUNGRY. Can we say that, friends? Are we so hungry for God that we would risk EVERYTHING we've ever known to follow something/someone we know so little about. Are we so hungry for God that we're willing to look differently, act differently and speak differently? Are we SO hungry for God that we will do whatever it takes to have that deep rooted, intimate, hope-filled relationship with Him? This is the real deal. Her hunger has inspired me to know God more. Her hunger and commitment has inspired me to walk in the blessings God continues to pour over me rather than focusing on the many negatives of this world. My appetite for the Lord is increasing. HE has a plan for this nation. I'm hungry to know Him more and to see Him do a mighty work in and throughout Asia.

Continue praying, friends. This is just the beginning!

Broken for the broken

2010-10-05T21:45:00.000+07:00

There are many things our eyes simply cannot avoid in this city. We've had to train our eyes, thoughts and minds to look away and NOT look back. Pornography-in every sense- is everywhere as are the women who so eagerly make themselves "available" to a willing participant. Our team is very sensitive to this darkness. Brett and I are very open about what we see and the potential danger that surrounds us in that regard. You couldn't possibly pray enough for protection over our hearts, minds, thoughts and actions!

There are 2 things that are stirring me and just breaking me tonight. Both "scenes" occur just feet from one another.

As we walk to school on our given school days, we all pass this woman. We've talked about her. We've prayed for her. We've wondered about her. We've been angered for her. She is pregnant. She has a child who appears to be around 1, if not younger. Each time I pass her she is either asleep or sitting up smiling at those walking by, with an empty cup beside her. The cup is intended for money. This little baby is always lying next to her mama. They lay on what looks like a garbage bag. This baby is always holding a bottle of milk to her mouth, watching all the people walk by, and she just lays there. I've never seen her walk. I've never seen her speak. I've never seen her smile. She lays. She waits. She sleeps. Her clothes are filthy, as is her precious face. She is beautiful. She is precious. She's so adorable that it's physically painful to walk past her and NOT pick her up, hold her tight and tell her everything is going to be OK. The truth is that this could very well be her life. Forever. There are so many people here who "work the streets" in this way. They use their handicap, or their children to make money. Most of them are hired by other people who take their "earnings" and send them back day after day after day. This is how several young girls/women begin their "career" in the sex trade industry. They're "purchased" from people who promise them a better life. People who promise them that everything will be OK. They then sell them into a life of darkness and evil, stripping them of any self identity they've known. It's heartbreaking. This woman and her baby are passed my thousands of people day and night. It's painful to just walk by and do nothing. SO, what on EARTH do we do? We're still trying to figure that out. We can bring them clothes and food. We can put money in the jar. I've thought about bringing them home with me. This is where learning the Thai language is SO important. Until we can speak to this woman it's hard to know WHAT to do. However, it's very likely that she IS employed by someone who pays her a very small wage to panhandle. We could all help her, and she would be in either the same place, or a new place-same "gig". BROKEN.

This woman lays on a very busy and highly populated street. She's literally a few feet from a well known soi that unfortunately represents white men from Europe, America and surrounding countries. (As well as other nationalities). These men come to this soi for one purpose. To "buy" their entertainment for the night. I cross this soi every night I go to school The women are lining up the streets and outside of the bar. Their clothing is minimal and they're literally lined up waiting for their "clients". They are beautiful. Their faces are dead. Their eyes are dim. Heartbreaking.
Tonight, as I was walking home I noticed a well dressed white man, probably in his 60's, take a young Thai woman by the arm and walk her towards a nearby hotel. The look on his face was shear excitement. The look on her face was...well, death. BROKE. MY. HEART. So many of the men I see on this soi are well dressed, business suit and briefcase guys. Some old. Some young. Some with wedding bands, some without. Either way, what kills me is that the women find such low value in who they are that they just sell themselves night after night after night. SO many of these women are forced into this work by their poor families as it supplies the families income. There is a huge injustice. There are lies that fill these women's heads. There is no support, and for many-there is no way out.

I'm so thankful we're here. I can't say we're going to change any of this. I can't say that a year from now you'll be reading about all the women set free from this bondage of slavery. I can't tell you we'll have ANYTHING to do with ANY of this. I don't know what God's plan is. However, I do know what provokes anger and passion in me-and I believe that when that is identified ministry will be birthed. There are SO many ministries here directly involved with both situations I've written about. I can't wait to join forces with whomever God puts in our path as I know there is hope for everyone of these young women and children. There's hope for the men who travel here to participate. There's hope for the businesses who thrive on such a dark industry. There's hope and that hope is in the form of a savior who has come to cleanse the ways of the wicked. This was NOT God's plan when He created the world.

As I tuck our kids in each night I pray protection over every part of them. Body, heart, mind. I'm so thankful that they're safe and in a home where they are valued and loved. I ache for the kids in this country who don't have that. The orphans and those born into a family of "servants of the street". They know no different. They have NO voice or advocate. Oh how I hurt for them and pray for transformation. Please pray. Join me in this brokenness. There's so much all of us can do and to quote David Livingstone, "sympathy is no substitute for action". None of us should be OK with any of this and I know for me, I'm seeking God more than ever until I know where, when and how to respond. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Pray for this country. Pray for those of us who have been sent to make a difference. I know God has a plan and I'm eagerly waiting for the next steps.

What's UP in Bangkok

2010-10-01T17:37:00.001+07:00

Over the past 2 weeks several things have happened that I've intended to write about. Then, something more would happen to add to the story which prolonged the update. If I were to recap all that has taken place you'd be VERY irritated with me as it would be a VERY long blog!
So, I will do my best to update you briefly on how God is moving!

Last week Tim Patterson (Lifepoint Missions Pastor), Alan and Eric (all from Lifepoint) came to see our team. They were an amazing source of encouragement and strength as they saw things we have been unable to see ourselves. Eric and Alan were here to make some possible connections for future possibilities here-and it ended up being one amazing meeting after another. These meetings and divine appointments confirmed what some felt a year ago regarding what our team will be doing. Brett had the chance to spend a lot of time with Alan and Eric and see some first hand opportunities that will be coming our way. There are MANY steps that will need to take place before we can update you on everything, but I wanted you to know that God is moving, opening doors and preparing the way for some amazing things ahead. Tim spent a lot of time with Bret Cox (our team leader) as they worked out logistics for the future needs of our team. We're already seeing the need for a 3rd space to meet. Currently, our weekly meetings are held in our apartment. This is a HUGE blessing and convenience to us since we don't have to get the kids out and stay out late. However, our team has begun making many connections within the Thai community and we're really seeing the restrictions we currently have with discipling those God is bringing in our path. His timing is perfect, and we will continue with this set-up until we know where to go next. But, we're all seeking the Lord for direction in this area. Opening a 3rd space allows us to bring in people from every background-hold classes, continue with our team meetings, worship, etc. It'll be a multi-functional space that will feed the needs of the Thai's. This also gives us the perfect opportunity to better understand what the Thai's need/want/desire. We know it's NOT a western Church. SO, lots to pray about in that regard!

WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING:
Again, God has opened door after door for Brett. It's crazy to sit back and think about all that's happened in just 2 weeks! Right now, Brett is in language school 3 nights a week. He also has been teaching english (volunteer) classes 1 day a week. In addition, he has met several people within the music scene and seems to have one positive meeting after another. He has spent some time at promotion events for up and coming artists. He has spent some time in the studio with a local artist. He continues to "run" into people who are either working with or connected to other people in the music industry. What I lOVE is that when Brett submitted to God, he laid it all down. He put down his sticks-his heart, his passion, his dreams, and professed his total and complete faith in Christ. He laid it down not knowing if he'd ever use those talents again. I remember the process of him selling drum kit after kit, studio gear after studio gear and turning down gig after gig. It's amazing to see how God brings it all back. Much like Isaac. God has filled and purposed Brett with such talent that HE desires to be used in Bangkok to bring others to Him (God). It's crazy amazing how it all works and we're thrilled. Brett has been playing weekly at Church and has had a couple opportunities to play around town. Unbelievable!

As for Beth: well, I'm still trying to figure out this crazy city! I have made tremendous strides in my ability and trust to get out and about. I have learned the transit system pretty well and no longer fear using any of it. In fact, I praise GOD for it as they're all air conditioned, marked brilliantly and get me where I need to go MUCH faster:) I'm currently in language school 2 nights a week. Ugh. It's hard. It's slow. It's going to take a while!
Homeschooling is going well, though like most homeschooling parents will confess there are days that we just really struggle. It's difficult for the kids and I to get out and about as it takes FOREVER to get anywhere. SO, we're trying to be creative in the apartment. We also spend a lot of time at the pool:) VERY thankful we have a pool! I've started a weekly bible study that is really helping me identify my purpose which I've struggled with during this transition. I'm so thankful to meet, weekly, with other women who have been down this road. I realize that I'm in a foreign land and must fully and completely rely on God's strength to get me through each day! He does~ Last week I went out by myself, hit a few markets, spoke some Thai and found my way all the way home! I purposefully went farther out-and intentionally walked so I could find my way! It was a victorious moment for me. As I was internally celebrating I couldn't help but thank God for what he's doing in my life. Less than 3 months ago I was terrified to leave my apartment. I was convinced that I would NEVER find my way around this place, nor would I ever "fit in". Well, I still don't fit in, but God is faithfully taking me through this transition day by day, step by step. I celebrate the little victories and trust He continually prepares me for what's to come!
The kids are doing well. They are amazing and inspire me everyday. They're more adjusted than I am! Our biggest request is that everyone prays for opportunities for them to be involved in extra curricular activities. They really need to be around other kids and we just haven't made the friendships we were praying for. It'll come, it's just taking a lOT longer than we thought. They're ready for some friends (and so am I)!!!

SO, in a nutshell things are going well. Please continue to pray for us as we learn the language and culture. Pray-CONSTANTLY-for protection over our kids and family and team. Pray for discernment as we seek God in the direction of service HE has us here to do. Pray for divine meetings and opportunities to continue coming our way. Pray for that 3rd space and all the opportunities that are included with that! Mostly, please pray for the hearts of the Thai's. We're surrounded by many religions and beliefs. There's darkness and oppression all around us. We come up against Muslim and Animism, Buddhist and Hindi (to name just a few). However, the light of Christ shines brightly and though we're rejected by many-we know God has a plan and we'll continue to walk this path until he leads us otherwise!

Thanks for continue to follow, pray and support our family! More to come soon...hopefully MUCH sooner this time;-)

Beth and crew

Ins and outs of Bangkok

2010-09-17T22:10:00.000+07:00

Last week Brett and I both hit a low. We were homesick, we were exhausted with what life requires of us in a huge city with 3 young ones. To be totally honest we wondered why we are here! Now, we KNOW why we're here, but sometimes it's really hard to stay connected to the vision and calling when you're in the thick of transition!

Monday morning we skyped with our Franklin lifegroup. These are some of our friends (family) who have walked every step of this journey with us. They have been a pillar of strength, encouragement and love for our family. Seeing their faces, hearing their laughter and just being with them (through the internet) was such a sweet treat, but it tugged the heart strings and made homesickness so much worse! We felt encouraged after we were done, and then Brett left for 2 meetings. While he was gone we both received confirmation and peace from the Lord! His 2 back to back meetings were filled with encouragement and opportunity for things to come. He was reminded, more than once, that we are here for a purpose FAR BEYOND our ability to understand and that we need to simply walk the course. NOT EASY-but pretty simple! I was washed in peace and though I still missed my friends/family I was able to move on in the day and have joy while teaching our kiddos!

By mid-week we had another frustrating day in Bangkok. Getting around this city is VERY DIFFICULT with kids. Everything is a chore. (Not complaining-I'm just trying to give you an understanding of what's involved in what used to be considered a "normal" outing). Wednesday was the start of a new weekly bible study. It's being held at a International Church filled with many nationalities and believers of Christ. These women are filled with joy, love and servant hearts! There was a particular study I read about that intrigued me so I signed up to go. Based on what I read it didn't seem too far (ha). Brett had another meeting that day so he helped me get the kids to where we needed to go. Taking the BTS 1 stop down was no problem AT ALL. However, walking from the BTS (sky train) to the Church was another story. First, it was raining. 2nd-the Church is located down a VERY NARROW soi (side street) that is heavily populated with motorcycle taxi's, tuk tuk's, taxi's and people who own cars. Brett and I were walking down this never ending soi with 3 kids, using umbrella's, trying not to get dead! Cars where coming from both sids (did I mention this street was NARROW) and motorbikes have no rules other than don't get hit. I felt like I was in the middle of the frogger game...only it wasn't just ME who had to cross the logs...we had to make sure 3 littles wouldn't get squashed as well!
As we were walking, Brett and I were both fuming about our frustrations of living here. There was a man sitting outside of a coffee shop who asked us where we live and where we're going. This is pretty normal. The Thai's are so family oriented and curious about what people are doing. We answered and continued the journey down never ending soi! When we finally reached the destination WE WERE DONE! I had already decided I would NOT be attending this study each week and that I really really really really did NOT like living in Bangkok (think someone needed an attitude shift). Brett felt the same way. WE briefly talked about our current state of hatred and then parted ways.

I'm hoping by now you get a sense of my state of mind, body language, facial expressions, etc. as I approached the door to this church. Thankfully there was nobody "greeting" by the front door so I had a few minutes to breath and get a hug from my sweet friend, Crystal (she met me there)! When we walked upstairs and entered the room we would be meeting in I was amazed. It was beautiful. Elegant. Serene. Quiet. Calm. Peaceful, etc. I was immediately greeted by 2 women who paid attention! They received my email a few days prior and corresponded with me immediately to get me to where I needed to be. They knew who I was when I walked in, welcomed me, gave me the scoop, etc! I took the kiddos upstairs and was getting excited about the next few hours! The kids would be in toyland with people they didn't know and get a break from me, and I from them~ Things were starting to look up for sure! Ater they were checked in I went back to the dining area, grabbed a plate of delicious food, my beloved coffee and began talking to so many women who are either in the exact place I am, or have been here and had SO MUCH WISDOM and encouragement to pour over me. Some of the women knew Crystal and me through word of mouth b/c they heard about our team. There were many connections made, great conversations and fellowship.

The rest of the morning was beyond wonderful. I won't bore you with anymore details but it was a day filled with confirmation that God is with us, He's for us and He's supplying us with so many resources to get through this time of adjustment! It's awesome. I WILL be attending next week and can't wait for the study to begin (totally taking a taxi though).

The best part of this story is Joe. When Brett left for his meeting that Wednesday morning he want back through the never ending Soi. Joe was still sitting outside the coffee shop and he and Brett began talking. He speaks very good english and within a few minutes he and Brett hit it off. Joe is Thai. Joe is a believer of Christ. Joe is in the music industry. Joe and Brett spent the next few hours talking about their lives, opportunities, upcoming events, etc. and made a "date" to do life together next week.

God is here BIG TIME. His plan is perfect and better than anything we could conjure up on my own. The days we whine and complain do nothing but get us more desperate for Him. He could punish us for our foul attitudes yet instead He chooses to shower us with love, affirmation and confirmation. I hope and pray that we'll continue to be desperate for Him but seek Him with a joyful heart and not such a crummy attitude! There is a lot brewing and many things to be praying about. THere are several opportunities of service coming up. PLease just pray for us. Pray for wisdom, direction and discernment. Pray for patience, peace and joy even in the hardest of days. Pray that we can see the very best in each day and not focus on the level of difficulty or frustation that is inevitable. We desire-more than anything-to glorify God in everything we do, and to be a light in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us. We desire God. We desire to do His will. We desire to do that in such a way that will put our comfort, wants, needs, complaints, etc. far below His purposes! We're being refined, stretched, challenged and prepped. We continue to press on and trust God for everything!

Thanks for being part of this journey! Praying for us is a HUGE support!!!

God is faithful!

2010-09-10T11:27:00.000+07:00

Yesterday morning started off as most mornings do. We get up, make coffee, make breakfast and prepare to start school. The night before, Brett and I were talking about our thoughts and frustrations about where we're at and what we're doing. Things aren't progressing as quickly as we'd like-we're not making connections like we thought we would, we're struggling with this language and the ability to communicate-getting out and exploring is VERY challenging, etc. etc. etc. SO-we had some good pillow talk about the importance of being still and seeking God, then waiting for Him to reveal His perfect plan. Still, we went to sleep wondering what's next! When we woke up, we just felt that feeling of....UGH!!!

Then, a series of things happened that just reminded us of how much God loves us and is here with us! The first thing was an email from one of our dearest friends whom we consider to be like a parent-one with great wisdom and truth! He encouraged us, let us know he's been thinking of us, and reminded us that we're NOT alone and that they're continually praying for us. It was one of those "ahhhhh"-refreshing emails! We KNOW we're not alone, but on mornings like yesterday it was just perfect to receive such encouragement! AND, this man is one of the few people we know who always responds to the spirit. When God puts someone on his heart, HE RESPONDS! Thankfully so, because we SO needed that message!

Then, as the kids were having their morning snack the phone rang. On the other end was yet another very dear friend who has walked this journey with us every step of the way! He called to talk computer stuff with Brett, who was at language school, so he and I ended up talking for an hour about all the things Brett and I are trying to figure out. Not only did he pour encouragement over us, but he spoke truth, shed light and held us accountable. He reminded me that Brett and I are not alone (see the theme) but we are just as responsible to reach out to those God has placed in our lives as they are to reach out to us! He reminded me that we don't need to sit and wait for the emails and calls...when we struggle we need to reach out! It was awesome! He sent Brett a long email filled with scriptures of truth and encouragement. When we hung up, I felt so encouraged and ready to conquer the daily struggles. While we were on the phone, our doorbell rang thus leading to blessing #3!

Since moving into this apartment we've had a super small fridge that doesn't cool our food. Most items are luke warm and most of our food spoils within a day or 2. The "freezer" was a small hole in the top of the fridge that didn't have a door, leaked water everywhere and left a wonderful odor (not really)-. We were tired of drinking luke warm milk (nasty) so used the "freezer" to try and cool it a little more. We've let the management know about this issue, but things just don't move quickly here. The last we heard they were trying to see if it would be cheaper to fix the fridge or buy a new one. SO, again, we just had to wait. Well, the person at the door was the bldg. management telling me they were delivering a new fridge later in the day. SOOOO exciting. Less than an hour later we had a BEAUTIFUL BRAND NEW refrigerator. Friends, it's amazing and better than we EVER thought we'd have. (eph 3:20)! It's bigger than the small one we had and this has 2 doors-one for the fridge and one for the FREEZER! We can actually buy and freeze things as well as have ICE! After plugging this new unit in it was instantly colder than the one we were using each day! It's fabulous!

2 weeks ago I met another missionary at a Church. She gave me some awesome advice. One thing she told me to do was go home and write my "wants" on a piece of paper and offer it to the Lord. Everything I want or need here. From spiritual growth to a working fridge. So, I did it. I put on that list the desire to have a working fridge. Yesterday, in bold red ink I got to scratch that off the list and date when God provided! It's a small desire and need, but it's a huge importance to God and I LOVE THAT!!! I look at my list and have evidence of his faithfulness. In fact, that was what yesterday was for us, huge marks of God's love for us and His faithfulness. He cares about EVERY part of our lives and is with us every step of this journey.

We have such comfort and peace today in knowing that whatever trials and frustrations we face while serving the Lord here, He will NEVER leave us, he will NEVER forsake us and His will is for us to GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS! (1 Thess 5:18) We praise Him today for his love, devotion and amazing marks of his great faithfulness!

Refining

2010-09-06T19:23:00.001+07:00

To be refined, by definition, means any of the following:
v. re·fined, re·fin·ing, re·fines
1. To reduce to a pure state; purify.
2. To remove by purifying.
3. To free from coarse, unsuitable, or immoral characteristics

Since arriving in Bangkok, we've seen and experienced A LOT of refining, both individually and as a team! We've been forced to lock arms and fight a battle far beyond our ability to understand. We have the equipping of a Holy God, and that's IT! We have one another, which we're so thankful for, and because of that we have renewed strength each day as we battle things from a minor realm and what can sometimes feel like a "too much to handle" realm! We're being refined in our prayer life, our worship, our attitude and mindset. Our expectations, ideas and thoughts are being refined. Our judgement and purpose. We are among a people group that we understand very little about and we're being refined in our capacity to LOVE-SERVE-ENCOURAGE-BEFRIEND. Things that should be natural but have proven to be somewhat challenging. We're being refined in how we value others as more important, putting ourselves last. There have been many convictions and revelations. The good news is God is with us! He's guiding us, He's filling us, He's pruning us and He's REFINING us! We're NOT alone and each of us understands that this is ALL for HIS glory, HIS purposes and HIS kingdom! He's the one who makes things grow and we are merely those who plant and water the seeds (1 Cor 3:3-9)!

There's A LOT of refining going on in me. Today, God revealed some truth that I really needed in regards to something I've been struggling with.
Matthew 25:45-46
"A faithful, sensible servant is one whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward".

I've been having a hard time in not being able to get out and DO more ministry. There's a lot going on here and I have felt "stuck" in my responsibilities at home. Brett and I have said from the beginning that our entire family has been called to missions..not just us. But I confess that I have felt like Brett is the one being called and we're here to follow and support. I also confess that I've been fighting that every step of this journey. However, today, when I read that scripture God opened my eyes to the fields I wake up to each day. Our 3 children need to be raised and trained up for battle! They need to understand who they are, their purpose for existence and who their security comes from! They need to feel safe and secure during this time of change, transition and adjustment. My need to feel important and "worthy" of this calling lead me to 1 cor 3:8-9-and it was the commentary that just pierced me:

"We become useful members of God's team by setting aside our desires to receive glory for what we do. Don't seek the praise that comes from people-it is comparitively worthless. Instead seek approval from God".

O.U.C.H. I haven't been seeking God's approval for much of anything. I've been rushing through each day so I can find my purpose or role-missing the most important element of who I'm here to serve! First God, second Brett, third children THEN ministry. To some of you this is old news..for me, well, it's gotten through this thick stubborn head!

Referring back to Matthew 25:45-46-I'm not referring to our kids as the household servants. It is I who is the servant of God-and have been given the privilege to serve my family with all my heart. To honor God in how I submit to my husband and show love and respect to our children. This might mean that when our team is out fighting battles on the street, I find myself home with the kids preparing them for the many battles they'll face, and equipping them with a heart for prayer and intercessory. It might mean that I miss late night events and get togethers so our kids can get the sleep they need so they can wake the next day and read about their purpose in God's word. To many, it might look like I just stay home and "do school" but today, I realized that in staying home and feeding our children with the nutrition of God's word, they will get the core foundation of why they exist, who they exist for and hopefully believe that they are going to change this world! There will be times when they come and participate in ministry events. There will be times God moves us outside this door to shine the light that is within them. In fact, everyday we walk out this door their lives illuminate something that draws many people to them. Just in how we live, how they are I see them already making an impact! We're learning and studying about the lives of many missionaries as well as other mission and ministry minded things that take place all over the world! We'll go where we're suppose to go whenever God instructs us to do so. My point in all of this is that I have found joy and contentment in one of the most exciting ministries out there...raising our kids! If I'm dying to self each day then my life should reflect the gifts and talents God has given me, which kills the need for mans approval. If I'm submitting to God's authority and above everything else-allowing LOVE to take full root in my life, then not only will Brett and our kids feel it, but the people God puts in our path to share the good news will be washed in His presence-receiving His love-and accepting the Grace He has poured out for all to receive! It is a gift and I'm thrilled that today I can rest in God's perfect plan! I don't have to do anything but plant or water the seed! The growing is completely up to God!

UPDATES

2010-09-04T14:42:00.000+07:00

For those of you who are not on our monthly update list, we'd like to redirect you to our website where you can view our newsletter and video blog that we've updated this weekend!

Go to www.journeywiththeclarks.com.
Click on eJOURNEY-this will take you to our SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
Click on VIDEO BLOG-Brett just completed a short video capturing our journey from America to Thailand!
*Then you can just click on whatever else you'd like to:-)

Enjoy. We'll be updating the blog Sunday! We have a full weekend ahead and look forward to filling you in on the cool things God continues to do!

Thank you for continuing to pray, donate, pray, and pray some more! I read this morning in Matthew 21:22
"You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it".

We're bringing many requests before the Lord on behalf of our family and the country we live. God is faithful, His plans are perfect and though His ways seem mysterious at times, His love and grace pours on all who call Him Father! We call out to Abba Father today and bring our requests before Him, knowing that He is the supplier and lifeline for all we do each and everyday. We pray the same is true for you and your families!

Much love and respect!

Beth and crew!

Romans 8:28

2010-08-23T22:11:00.000+07:00

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose"-ESV

I want to share a story about how God is working on us here in Bangkok.

When we were called to be vocational missionaries I knew the conviction I had been ignoring and suppressing was going to become my reality. It wasn't moving to a foreign land...it was knowing I would be homeschooling! Some of you might be laughing as that seems like the easier of the 2~ For me, not so much the case. When our oldest was 3 I started feeling the "tug" to start researching homeschooling. It's no coincidence that we moved into a neighborhood with some hardcore home-schoolers who LOVED talking to me about it! I gave God every reason why homeschooling was NOT for us. I lacked the confidence and belief in my ability (and obviously His) to teach our kids more than or better than a trained school teacher. I continued to suppress the tug and before we knew it, our oldest was in Kindergarten (public school) and our middle was attending pre-shool 4 days a week. I LOVED it. They LOVED it! I couldn't wait for our second to experience the joys and wonders of a kindergarten class. New friends, new games, new-new-new everything! Brett and I went to India during this school year and I knew that my thoughts and wishes for the kids education was NOT going to look-at all-like I had imagined. I knew God was asking something of me that I truthfully just didn't want to give! REALLY!!

Those of you who know me well know that our first year of homeschool was NOT GOOD. I struggled daily, as did our kids. None of us liked it and I spent sometime in tears with the Lord asking Him for alternatives! The kids missed school-their friends, activity that I just couldn't give them. It was brutal. I didn't like it-and I was praying for God to open doors in Bangkok that would allow them to attend a safe international school. I prayed and prayed.

Fast forward to NOW. 2 weeks ago the kids and I were swimming. There was an older man there who joined me at the table I had plopped our stuff on. He started asking me the typical questions about where we came from, etc. He actually owns a few apartments in the complex we're living in. He has lived in Bangkok for 30 years but is from Iraq. We started talking about homeschool (he asked where they attend) and as it turns out-he owns a INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. International schools are VERY expensive here. Like $20-30,000 US dollars per year-per student. I resolved to the fact that I would have to homeschool as we just couldn't justify OR afford such an expense. Anyway-as I was talking about our tight budget he picked up his cell and made an appointment for me at the school. That following Friday Brett and I were visiting this school. I walked in the office filled with joy and excitement. I was curious to know what God was up to and how He would work this out for good. We weren't looking for this man, he found us so it HAD to be a God thing? Right? As we talked to the asst principal she laid out the school details and IT.WAS.FABULOUS! The tour was amazing and our kids LIT UP as they saw what would potentially be their class. They offered us 50% off IMMEDIATELY (just because we knew this man at the pool) and said they would try to come down more. They were giving us enrollment for all 3 kids for a total of $13,000 PER YEAR. Amazing. Still-a LOT of money-but if it was God's plan we were believing Him for EVERY part of it.

Brett and I went home and spent the weekend in prayer. It felt SO good. SO safe. SOOOO for them. I gave it to the Lord and trusted that He would reveal His perfect plan. I went to bed on Friday night praying Psalm 16:7
"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me."

Saturday morning I woke up after having 2 horrible nightmares about our kids. I dreamed about their safety and that they were being mistreated. I don't remember details of either dream, but I know I woke up with darkness and ZERO peace about the school. It made NO sense. We were SOOO sure this was a "god" thing and we knew that God would provide every cent we would need to raise. But-something in my spirit was way off and for the first time since this journey began, the thought of NOT teaching our kids saddened me. I began thinking of the things we have been doing and all they've been learning and living and realized that through my rebellious-thick headed-stubbornness, I really DID enjoy homeschooling. The more I thought about that school and all it entailed the less attractive it became and the more hungry I became in regards of teaching our kids. THAT HAD TO BE A GOD THING!

So, here I sit. Today was our first day of school and it was wonderful. Brett and I are co-teaching and it worked out SOO well. We had fun. We learned. We laughed. We dealt.

Friends-God is faithful and His plans for us are perfect. We really have little to do other than follow His lead. The path is there and we must be willing to die to self and take the road He's paved. Everything in me wanted our kids in that school. But Christ living in me helped me to lean NOT on my own understanding but in ALL THINGs-acknowledge God and HE WILL MAKE THE PATH STRAIGHT (prov 3:3-5). So, this situation has worked out for the good. Our kids are learning the basics and so so so much more! This could all change in a year-or a day, but for now-this day, I rest in peace knowing God instructed my heart as I slept and has given me total peace about homeschooling in Bangkok! Tomorrow -intermixed with language arts and history-we will decorate a Thai AND American flag as we learn the culture AND customs of being a kid in Thailand..we'll be doing that by playing games the Thai kids play! GOd is good my friends. God is SO SO good!

4 weeks later...

2010-08-17T22:49:00.000+07:00

I just reread my first post since arriving 4 weeks ago today. Wow. There are days I wake up and feel like it's day 1 all over again, but most days I feel like we've been here forever! A lot has happened in 4 weeks and I'm thankful that God is patient with me and loves me enough to stretch me, mold me and change me into the woman He created so long ago. He knew every fear and struggle I would have before ever saying YES, and He faithfully carries me through the hardest and most joyful days!

God is gracious and has given me such an acceptance in how we live. Really, it's not much different from the states. The things that were difficult at first are just how we live now. I've become more adventurous in cooking and I just work with what I have. I hate that it took us moving to Thailand to see how wasteful and "convenient" I was. We literally turn off the shower while cleaning ourselves and turn it back on to rinse because a) we don't want to waste the water..it's expensive and b) the longer it runs the colder the water becomes! We run the air only when we can't take it (the heat) anymore...and as soon as the room has cooled off, the air is off. We have 1 unit in our front room and 1 in each bedroom. When the air is on in the front room all other doors are closed so we get ALL the air. It's so funny to me that 4 weeks later the kids know that when they leave their room the lights, fan and door must be shut off and closed! We keep all the lights off (again...utilities and electricity are pricey) unless we're in that room. We were NEVER this conscientious in the states. Doing laundry is much more time consuming, especially now during the rainy season. Takes FOREVER to dry the clothes and we can only do 2 (small) loads a day b/c that's what fits on the rack! Our apartment has become a drying rack! Gotta do whatever it takes:) Initially the oven thing was hard for me. I REALLY miss baking and have craved homemade chocolate chip cookies like EVERYday. However, we were able to get an awesome griddle that I can make TONS of things on, and a slow cooker which we're using ALL THE TIME. I've made tons of things in that baby and LOVE IT! I've been making things from scratch b/c the store prices are just ridiculous! So, each day I feel a little more pioneer-ish and I see how God is giving me the grace and patience I need to adapt!

The biggest accomplishment for me thus far is getting out on my own! I've taken the BTS (elevated train) on my own which I NEVER thought I'd be able to do. I've also taken the kids out on my own. We've walked, we've explored, we've taken motorcycle taxi's, water taxi and cabs. I've been able to tell taxi drivers where to take us and have had a decent sense of direction! I'm getting more acclimated to the money, how to pay for things and how to count it..and how to exchange it in my little brain (gotta make sure I'm getting a deal). I've learned a few basic Thai phrases, but REALLY need prayer in regards to the language. School starts for me on Aug 31-Brett is going on his 3rd week of classes and is doing AWESOME!

So, 4 weeks later I've learned a little more about what it means to be content in all things. I'm seeing how much I took for granted, and I thank God, daily for all He's given us. I can honestly say that the more I learn about Thailand, the more burdened I become for these precious people. They have been so loving and welcoming. IN fact, the other day I was walking home with 2 of our kiddos and one of the motorcycle taxi drivers started calling our sons name. He remembered our son from a week ago and wanted us to stop and talk. It was SO sweet and we laughed about Adley saying "bpai reo reo" which means "go fast". I want and desire to talk to these people, learn about their lives and invest time with them. Learning the language is everything! Brett and I need so so so much prayer in that regard!

Brett and I are learning how to live together in a whole new way. I have to say it's fabulous. We've never been together this much. I'm so thankful that we like each other (well, most days). We are working on so much together and I think this is how it' suppose to be! We're sharing the responsibility of homeschooling, which will be so cool for our kids! We get out as a family and explore, see, do, etc. and I'm so thankful that we get to do that! Though we live in this massive city, we are still us and live like us...we talk to people, laugh with people, laugh at ourselves, etc. It's a lot of fun!

The kids are doing really well. I think they're ready to start school next week and have some structure. The greatest prayer request we have for them is that they'll begin to make friends. So far, that hasn't happened and it's really hard for them. For all of us! The other thing is we're really praying about being able to sign them up for extra curricular things like soccer, dance, gymnastics, music, etc. They each have strengths and passions and we'd love to see them grow and develop in those areas...plus the social interaction is really necessary for them right now. SO, that's a HUGE request. Financially, it's only something that'll happen when God supplies the extra income.

All in all I'd say we're doing very well. We're learning a lot about Thai culture. We spend a lot of time praying for the Thai's, for their hearts to be wiling to accept the truth of Christ-for their ears to be open and willing to hear the gospel and for their eyes to be open. We are diligently seeking God and are in the word growing and gaining insight about why we're here. I have gained a lot of comfort from reading Abraham's journey. God called him out of his homeland and took him to a foreign land where Abraham prospered. Not because of who he was but because of what God chose to do through him. Brett and I are here NOT because of anything we've done or b/c of who we are...God chose us and called us here in spite of who we are...and whatever happens while we're here, serving God faithfully and wholeheartedly, is only because He will complete the good work he began in us (phill 1:6) and those He has chosen will come to know Him as father, not because of us but because of His love and sacrifice that we have the privilege to tell others about. It's all for His kingdom and glory-and we take this calling seriously and humbly accept the work ahead of us!

Thank you for praying and staying connected to what God is doing! YOu're SUCH a huge part of what sustains us and keeps us going!!! Much love and blessings to you!

Communicating is imperative

2010-08-15T14:53:00.000+07:00

When God confirmed that our family would be moving to Bangkok as vocational missionaries, I had a pool of thoughts and expectations of what our life would look like. I saw us totally immersing ourselves among the poor and widowed. I saw us saving the orphans and conquering this massive city one by one. Obviously, I knew very little about what was involved in moving into a new country. It's all about immersion. Immersing into THEIR culture. Learning THEIR way of living, worshipping, eating, gathering, praying, etc. Our team could have easily come here and set ourselves apart as the farang religious group (farang is what caucasians are referred to-basically means foreigner), set up Church the western way we know Church, and fill our seats with other missionaries or "farang's" trying to do something worthy of the calling.

I'm SO thankful for the training our team has received. 2 Church's with sound vision and 6 months of missions training has somewhat equipped us for the purpose we are here. To be the Church where there is NO Church. To raise up disciples who will be equipped to reach their own. To spread the truth and love of Christ in ALL situations. To offer peace to those seeking peace and to share the good news (which is LOVE) to any and all who will listen. As tempting as it is to jump right in and find a multitude of ministries to pour into, we have to resist and devote our time as full time learners. We can't reach those we were sent to reach if we're unable to speak to them! Today I give you the perfect example for why we're doing nothing but school this first year:
I took Niah to the lobby this afternoon. We're both recovering from bacteria infections and needed to get out and walk around. The store in our bldg was closed, so we were heading back upstairs when a young man held on to Niah and wouldn't let go. Well, this happens a lot here as the Thai's love our kids. They're constantly touching their hair, cheeks, rubbing their arms, etc. We're ALWAYS with the kids so there was no harm. The Thai's are very friendly and kind towards all of us, especially our kids. This particular guy wouldn't let her go until she said "sa wa dee ka" (hello). Well. she wouldn't-therefore he wouldn't release her. She was scared, I was getting uncomfortable and kept telling him she must come with me (I had her hand while he had her other arm). He had NO idea what I was saying...and I had NO idea how to ask him to let her go. NEED TO KNOW THIS LANGUAGE! Finally, he saw her eyes fill with tears and let her go.

Then, we sat in the lobby for a second when a middle aged woman sat and watched us (again, this is common). I noticed she look to be impaired in some way. I smiled and said hello, and she began talking. She was talking non-stop (in Thai), asking me questions that I couldn't answer and then she appeared to be getting really upset. She seemed like she was going to start crying. I was trying to get someone's attention to help me...but the lobby was filled with ..thai's. There was no one who could translate for me, and vice versa. She kept saying things over and over and over and though I tried with everything in me to understand, all I could do was say "I'm so so sorry...I don't speak Thai". At one point it sounded as if she was saying she wanted water and food. Well, what does that mean? Was she hungry? Was she in need? She was talking about her father, then she was telling me to tell Niah how much she loved her(I got that after about the 10th time) while she was rubbing Niah's leg. She kept pointing to her chin and then Niah's chin, she was pointing to her ear and then my ear-each time she had to repeat herself she would become more and more upset. It was VERY uncomfortable and VERY frustrating. THEN, when we finally broke away and left, she followed us on the elevator and kept saying something over and over...she was very upset. She mentioned "farang" several times. Was I offending her? Did she need something from me? I pushed our floor number and she pushed hers. I had NO idea what was about to happen. Was I suppose to inviter her into our home? Was she going to follow us? Ugh. She was 4 up from us...again she said something about food. I thought maybe she wanted us to come eat with her? SO FRUSTRATING. I decided NOT to get off on our floor and see her up to her stop. She was VERY agitated and when the elevator stopped on her floor, she said something and walked off...angrily. I have NO IDEA what was said, what she needed, etc. I just sat there, wondering what to do and left.

I can't stop thinking about her and thinking about how important language school is for us. Brett has begun his classes and I will start August 31. As difficult as this language is, I have to believe God will give us the ability to understand it so we can start doing what He's called us to do. Nothing else is more important at this point than learning the language. When we seek the Lord with all our heart, I believe we'll be in the right place, at the right time. If we're walking in the spirit and being guided and directed each day, we'll help those God puts in our paths--we have to be ready for whatever God desires. In that journey is the need to know this language. It's everything!

So, as you read this please pray for us. Some of our team members are already speaking fluently. For others, well it just doesn't come as easily. God is preparing the way-and we must continue to be faithful and fully committed to this journey. There are days when I feel like I need to be doing more. I need to be helping. Well, I'll remember the sweet girl from the lobby who confirmed this need!! Learning the language is everything!

nothing inspirational, just a day in the life

2010-08-14T19:47:00.000+07:00

Well, today we had another fantastic visit to good ole Brumrungrad Hospital! I've been sick for about 2 weeks now, so we finally decided to see what's been living inside of me! No joke. I've been struggling with all types of food and drink just NOT staying in my system. I've also been battling some really bad headaches. When telling this to the Dr. today he ever so gently said "oh...why you wait so long...you have parasite maybe..need antibiotics". Well, what do you say to that? I was avoiding another Dr. bill and was hoping this would pass! Duh! So, my gentle reprimand has lead me to this update. I want you to know how amazing the care is here!

Brumrungrad is a very large hospital with 3 buildings. I was feeling pretty bad this morning so we took a cab rather than walking. Super thankful for that! The kids had their backpacks ready and full of activity as we're used to waiting forever long to see a Dr (speaking of the US). Upon our arrival we were immediately instructed on where to go for registration. After a very quick and efficient registration, we were escorted (all the escorts wear uniforms and are SO polite, kind and compassionate) to the general doctor. When asked what my symptoms were the nurses were genuinely concerned and made sure I saw a Dr. right away. For visual purposes you should know that this hospital is IMMACULATE. Every floor is without a mark of dirt. Every bathroom sparkles. No joke. We were informed that I would have about a 20 minute wait (and they thought this might be a problem), so in the waiting area sits a fridge filled with complimentary water and juice for patients and families waiting. Seriously?! Also, if your wait is a long period of time (like 45 minutes or so) you'll be offered a food and drink voucher to accomodate you while you wait. INSANE.

After 10 minutes I was taken back for a blood pressure and weight check. Low blood pressure is normal. Dropping 10 pounds since arriving 3 weeks ago...not so normal! So, a few more minutes and I'm called up and escorted TO THE DR. I didn't have to wait in a cold, sterile room with a backside revealing gown! The Dr. was at his desk, reviewing my chart that was filled out by the nurse (BTW: all the nurses wear white uniforms with cute little hats and are the most beautifully put together women I've ever seen) and immediately started the exam. He asked questions, got his info and sent me on my way.

Our next location was cahier. Our insurance is out of network so we have to pay 100% out of pocket every time we see a Dr. Then, submit claim to Ins co and eventually get a reimbursement- That is AFTER meeting the deductible (not complaining though...we have really good international coverage). So-they had us cashed out and at the pharmacy within 5 minutes. The pharmacy is RIGHT THERE and when you check out you get your meds, in a nice little gift bag, with all the instructions and information you'll need. Our total bill, including all medical and pharmaceutical cost, was $62.00 US DOLLARS.

So, needless to say we've had another wonderful trip to the hospital! I'm amazed at their system, their care and the extreme measures they take, daily, to run one of the best hospitals in the world. I'm seriously beyond blessed that we have this healthcare here. Though we have little cash flow, it's so very comforting to know that good care comes at a unbelievably fair cost! We left feeling very thankful and realize we could be in the middle of a desert with zero healthcare. I'm VERY happy God has us right here at this time!

Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be feeling better. There's too much of Bangkok to be lived and experienced to be sitting in bed feeling miserable all day long! I'm ready to get out and WORK!!

Adjusting

2010-08-09T21:18:00.000+07:00

On August 30, 1997 at approximately 2:00 PM in the afternoon (on a HOT and humid Nashville afternoon) Brett and I walked down the isles of McKendree Church and made our lifetime vows and commitment to one another. In front of several friends and family, we promised to love and cherish one another til death due us part. As our anniversary approaches, I keep thinking of the similarities between how I felt as a new bride and how I feel today, as a new missionary on the fields.

Brett and I were engaged for 6 months. 6 months to plan and prepare for "the happiest day of our lives". I remembering having notebooks and files of what needed to be done, what I hoped to do and a budget for how it would all work out. I remember planning and preparing and thinking about nothing other than August 30th! The week leading up to our wedding I felt many nerves. I knew the day was approaching whether I was ready or not! I was filled with anticipation, excitement, great expectations and was ready for THE DAY! I had many fantasies of what our first years as a married couple would look like. Then, the day of. Oh the feelings of getting my hair and make up done, putting on my dress and beautifying myself as much as possible for the moment my future husband would see me. The nerves I felt as the doors opened and a hundred people stood to watch me make my entrance, walk down the isle and become Brett Clark's wife. Wow. What a day! At the end of our wedding evening I remember thinking "now what"? I had spent so much time planning and preparing that my every thought was consumed with August 30. Well, what about August 31st? It was time to figure out how to live as a wife! Ugh!

So, here I sit, 3 weeks into life as a vocational missionary and find myself feeling "now what". The year of planning, praying and preparing has subsided. We are here. The efforts and sacrifices of so many have put us exactly where God desires us to be. The obedience and sacrifice asked of us has brought us to unfamiliar grounds. We said "I do" and here we are. I confess my first week was a ball of fears (and tears)! I was scared to leave this apartment and face the world we now know as our "norm". I doubted my abilities and doubted that God would ever be able to use me here. Then, the voice of truth tenderly spoke to me, daily, and reminded me that He will be my guide! He will make my path straight if I trust him with all my heart! Just as in our first year of marriage, I had to lean on God for everything. I had NO idea how to be a wife. In fact, it took 3 years of great hardship for me to realize how selfish I was and how little I was giving. Similarly, now that we're serving vocationally for the first time, I'm humbled to accept that I have NO idea what I'm doing and that I rely fully and completely on God to show me the way! I've been selfish in my thoughts and desires and have been tempted to hold back the great need to serve. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes understanding and compassion. It takes great effort and a desire to love and serve "the least of these". God is working, molding and changing us!

So, the honeymoon is over and now the hard part begins! Each day is an adventure and "new things" for our family. Each day we're conquering fears and deal with new insecurities and frustrations. We are learning how to share household duties for the first time (Brett has never been home this much in our almost 13 years of marriage) and all of us are learning how to be a little less inwardly focused and more team focused. There are days we lose it with one another and there are days filled with joy and fulfillment. In 3 weeks we've adapted to many new "norms". This first year is primarily focusing on language and culture. We're learning to resist the temptation to "do more" and just be still and learn all we can so we can communicate clearly and effectively with the Thai's. We will continue to face battles and hardships, but saying "I DO" to a life as vocational missionaries is no different from saying "I DO" to one another almost 13 years ago. It is a lifelong commitment and there's NO ONE I'd rather be serving with than my husband! Praise Jesus for the one He chose for me! I'm so very thankful and blessed!

Bumrungrad International

2010-08-04T17:18:00.000+07:00

Tuesday was Brett's first day of language school. It was the perfect morning for his Dad to get in one last day of exploring and picture taking while I hung with the kids. After 2 hours of hanging, we were restless. The heavy morning rain kept us indoors and there's only so much we can do in a small space. So, I decided to break through another fear and take the kids somewhere, alone. We packed up, did the potty thing and started heading to Central Chidlom-a large department store (7 stories). The walk was pretty good. The kids did great, even when having to cross a very busy street. That was a little scary but we did it and no one was injured:) We made it and rejoiced when we entered air conditioned building!

The 6th floor is the kids floor. It has toys, bedding, etc and more. In the back there is a indoor play area that costs 40 baht per kid, for an ALL DAY pass. So, that's $120 baht for all 3 which is equivalent to just over $4.00 TOTAL. Nice. The kids were having a blast. They played, ran, laughed, etc. for a while. We took a lunch break and then came back. Aiden requested some time to look around with mommy, so Brett and Papa hung with Adley and Niah while they continued to play. Aiden and I reached the 7th floor which has school supplies, among tons of other things. After 5 minutes of looking, I got the call- "Beth...you need to get back down here, like now". Never a call a mommy wants to receive.

Aiden and I rushed down the escalator and found Brett holding Adley who was obviously in A LOT of pain. The play area is fun but you can't really see what your kiddos are doing b/c of the shape. So, the blood-curling scream Brett heard was Adley on the floor holding his right arm. Brett wasn't sure what happened but whatever it was warranted a mighty scream!

I held him for a while and tried to get him to slowly move his arm. He couldn't. He couldn't move his hand, fingers or arm. If we tried to move it in the slightest way, he would scream. We waited for about 20 minutes to see what would happen, still unsure of how he hurt it. We decided to start walking home and would see how he was upon arrival. I was carrying him in a cradle position and had to shift his weight, in doing so he let out another blood curling scream. This happened 3 or 4 times with just walking to the parking lot. SO-off to the ER we go.

Thank God Brett's Dad was with us. He took the girls home as Brett and I tried to grab a cab. It was 3:30, which was the beginning of rush hour. The walk was only about 20 minutes and a cab would have taken an hour, at the least, so we started the walk. Adley is over 30 pounds and b/c we were afraid his arm was broken we didn't want to move him, therefor I carried him the entire way. I was fine until we hit the 1/2 point and my arms were literally shaking. I tried to keep him as still as possible-but had to shift the weight and that lead to more screaming. He was hurting.

I was SO relieved to see the hospital sign. I know I looked like a worried, stressed out Mother who needed help, and the second (literally) we walked in the ER we were greeted by Dr.'s and nurses who IMMEDIATELY took us to a bed. I tried to lay Adley down, but just that movement pierced him with pain. SO, I continued to hold him while 2 men from admin CAME TO OUR BED to gather our information. They checked us in and then escorted us to the orthopedic floor where we would see the Dr. We walked off the elevator (this is a MASSIVE hospital with TONS of floors) and walked to another desk where they had already received our information from the previous floor, handed it to our escort and then took us to the waiting area. We waited all of 5 minutes before seeing THE DOCTOR. He looked at Adley and sent us right in to x-ray. This was our longest wait, a total of 25 minutes. They very gently laid Adley down and through his tears they allowed me to lay on the table next to him as they turned his arm for x-ray. OUCH. We were taken back to the waiting area for another 5 minutes when the Dr. called us back. He had ALREADY viewed the xray and assured us there was NOT a fracture. We were relieved. The Dr. took Adley's arm and told us that when there's not a fracture it's common that the forearm can dislocate, and that's what happened. That Dr. took Adley's little 3 year old arm and pulled it, then twisted it SO much I swear that arm was coming OFF! OH, the scream. It was brutal to watch, brutal to listen to, but necessary. Sometimes, we must face great fear and pain before the relief comes! Immediately after the Dr. released Adley (his finger prints still on his arm) Adley said "look mama, it's all better". He was moving his arm as if nothing happened. INSANE.

SO, off to check out. Living as missionaries has taught us how to live by faith. Daily our needs are met by a God who loves us, unconditionally, and knows the difficulties we'll face. Money is always a place of trust as we rely on the generous financial gifts and partnerships of many faithful friends. We live on a VERY tight budget, and are still not at 100% of our monthly needs, so this trip to the ER was a little frightening. Until we just STOPPED and reminded ourselves who was in charge. We waited for a few minutes and it was our turn. We do have international insurance but it is out of network so we pay out of pocket for everything. Knowing what the states charge for just walking in the ER scared us. We had NO idea what to expect. Here's the bill:

X-ray: 310.00
X-ray Radiologist fee: 145.00
Doctor's fee: 750.00
Facility: 170.00
TOTAL BILL: $1375.00.

When the kids and I left that morning I grabbed $1000 Baht..not cuz I needed it or planned on spending it, but b/c I had a strong feeling we WOULD need it. In my wallet I had EXACTLY $1375.00. SERIOUSLY?

SO, incase you're wondering, $1375.00 Baht is equal to $42.00 US DOLLARS. THAT WAS THE TOTAL BILL PEOPLE, $42.00~ Oh how the states could learn A LOT from the healthcare here. We were greeted with people who CARED about us and our son. They made SURE we were where we needed to be, that we received the best care possible..AND we were in AND out in 1 1/2 hours. INSANE.

As we were leaving we decided to hit the ground floor for an ice cream treat for Adley. We got off on the wrong floor, so waited for the next elevator. When the doors opened, we noticed a nicely dressed American man. We went down a few floors when I heard Brett say to this man "you're running a wonderful hospital". I looked at the man's name tag and Brett was talking to the CEO of Bumrungrad International! I expressed my gratitude and he walked off the elevator with us, inquiring where we're from and why we're in Bangkok. When we told him we now live here, he graciously handed us his business card and said "if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to reach me". And on we go.

God has a plan for us in Bangkok. God has a plan for the Thai's. This visit to the ER was just another confirmation that good comes out of anything! Our sweet Adley boy is totally fine and you would NEVER know he was in the ER unable to move his arm yesterday. We are SO thankful that it wasn't worse, furthermore, we're thankful that God teaches us so much through our daily living! We continue to trust and believe in Him for all things, and He faithfully meets all our needs!

Mo Mo

2010-07-30T07:53:00.000+07:00

The night we arrived in Bangkok seemed like forever ago. It's only been a little over a week. I remember being filled with relief the moment I laid eyes on my sweet hubby, waiting for us at the gate. I was tired and weary from the long flights, but thankful to be together again. Loading all of our luggage was a funny sight. One man from LA looked at us and sarcastically said, "moving here?". I replied, "well, yes we are". He started telling me about his journey here and that he'll begin teaching school soon. He was in a "crisis" as he'd spent all his money on a prepaid phone, which apparently wasn't working. I was trying to offer encouragement when he said "well, my horoscope told me to rest, so maybe after I do that it'll work out". Wow-15 minutes off the plane and the realty of why we're here was staring at me in the face.

We took 2 taxi's home. The kids and I were greeted by our team members who had already arrived. What a homecoming! Brett had sent me pictures of the apartment he worked-endlessly-to find. I had an idea of what to expect, but the realty was far greater than the pictures. I was humbled and shocked that God had given us such a beautiful place to call "home" in what feels like a foreign land. Everything was immaculate (partly because the Thai's are really clean, and mostly because my sweet Brett wanted his family to come home to an immaculate apartment). The floors sparkled and though it's 800 sq feet, it felt enormous. It's a great use of space and the 5 of us are quite comfortable in here! Thanks be to God. He could have given us something smaller, rougher, etc. but instead, he lead Brett to the place we're suppose to be. It's gorgeous and it's right in the price range we budgeted long ago. God is faithful. We were warmly greeted by our team members who had already arrived weeks ago. It was SO good to see our family. We were encouraged. We laughed. We cried. Oh, we were together again (except for the VanDykes. Our team is incomplete until they arrive in a few months).

After we spent time with our team, jet leg kicked in and the long flights were taking their toll. Our team left and we slept our first sleeps in our new home. The morning arrived far to quickly! I remember waking up with the fear and realization that I'm surrounded by NOTHING familiar. I was struck with fear. Fear I hadn't really experienced before. I felt it challenging to walk on our deck. 23 floors high is very scary. My mind was flooded with visions of death. Either myself, or our kids falling over the wall. Insane thoughts of fear were crippling me. The kids were up and anxious to get some much needed energy out. I was relieved that Brett and his Dad took them swimming while I distracted my fears with unpacking. Those of you who know me well, know I have a ridiculous love for organizing. I LOVE it. So, I buried myself in the adventure of finding places for our things. Sadly-it didn't take long as this apartment has AMAZING storage (not common here) and we just don't have much stuff anymore!

Now, what to do?

As I finished the final bags a realization pierced my heart. Niah's beloved Mo Mo was not with our stuff. Mo Mo is a small, black ferret (the kids say it's a ferret..Brett and I disagree but-o well) that has been with Niah for 3 of her 5 years. It's her favorite buddy. As most of you know, for the last year our kids have been sacrificing their favorite things as they understood they could not bring much with them. Mo Mo was never considered to stay home. He was the first item in the KEEP basket and the first buddy in the backpack to give comfort on the plane. Mo MO was her pacifier. So, to discover he was gone killed me. Fortunately, Niah was distracted with the arrival and hadn't known yet. I knew the time would come and was trying to prepare myself for delivering the bad news. How was I going to do that?

Fast forward a week. After 5 days of jacked up sleep, all of us are finally on Bangkok time (for the most part). The kids are sleeping better, as am I. We have broken into somewhat of a routine and the kids know where all of their stuff is. Yesterday, Niah was in a sad-whiney mood. She woke up early and spent a good portion of the morning crying off and on. When I sat with her and asked her what was wrong she said it. I confess I wasn't ready. "I will just feel better if I have my Mo MO and I can't find him anywhere". Ugh. Heartstrings pulled. I held her and explained that Mo Mo was left on the plane. I remember her holding him the last 6 hour flight. I remember him being on her lap and remember us packing up to get off the plane. I didn't check under the seats...which I was sure that's where he was.
She was devastated. The look on her face was panic. She was scared for her Mo Mo and just started sobbing. For the next 25 minutes she cried and cried, as did I. I was consoling her and telling her we'd go out and find a new special buddy. "NO". I told her we could send someone to Target back home to find another Mo Mo...but knew they probably didn't sell him anymore. Ugh. What to do. Finally, I said "why don't I call the airline and see if they have a lost and found?". This stopped the tears and we headed to the lobby where we have internet.

Truthfully, I was trying to calm her and didn't think -FOR A SECOND-that Mo Mo would be in lost and found. I assumed the plane was cleaned out and he was now in trashville. Still, the speckle of hope caused me to do much digging. Actually, it was just a matter of 2 calls. I was speaking to a Thai woman and explained that our daughter left a stuffed animal on our flight. Gave her the date and flight number...and in just a moment she was describing Mo MO TO ME. She was holding beloved Mo Mo at the airline desk. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

The look in Niah's eyes was priceless. Sweet Brett and his Dad woke up early the next morning and took the train to the airport. After much confusion as to the exact location of Mo Mo, he was found. He was in her Daddy's possession and on his way home.

I'm sharing this story because I think it's a perfect example of how God works. As I was holding Niah the moment she learned he was "gone" I cried out to God for help. I wanted to comfort her sad heart but didn't know what to do. I asked God to help us, to get us Mo Mo back. I confess that I was asking God something I didn't think would happen. My faith and belief were doubt filled. So, the moment I learned that Mo Mo was safe and sound and would be with us soon, I just shouted out praises to God. He cares about everything. He cares that a 5 year old who has endured great change in the last year, wanted her Mo Mo back. He cares that the faith of this 5 year old's Mother was challenged. He is faithful and just and cares about EVERYTHING in our lives. It was such a confirmation that we are NOT alone and that he will supply our every need.

So, today-we have Mo Mo and I will say I have renewed faith. Being in Bangkok presents many challenges for our family. There are still fears and insecurities. But every time I look at Niah and Mo Mo, I'm reminded that He is with us and cares about the smallest and greatest things in our lives. He is an amazing God. An amazing provider. An amazing Father and friend. I'm humbled to be His servant and am so thankful to be considered His own.

hollow idols

2010-07-28T11:02:00.000+07:00

Yesterday was a great day. I spent the morning exploring with teammate and sweet friend, Crystal. We walked and walked then went through some street markets and ended with a fabulous lunch. After that, our team had our first meeting which was so encouraging. We got in the word and started seeking God's plan for us while we're serving in Bangkok. We shared our personal victories and struggles. We prayed. We laughed. We discussed logistics. We were together and my heart was full. I'm SO very thankful God chose to send us with a team. I cannot imagine doing this alone. I was so filled and strengthened by my team. I love them with such depth and feel so very blessed.

Our team leader, Bret Cox, opened the word to a scripture that pierced us. For me, it was one that struck my heart with great conviction and reminded me, clearly, why we are here and how we must pray.

HABUKKUK 2:18-20

¹⁸ "Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it?
       Or an image that teaches lies?
       For he who makes it trusts in his own creation;
       he makes idols that cannot speak.
¹⁹ Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!'
       Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!'
       Can it give guidance?
       It is covered with gold and silver;
       there is no breath in it.
²⁰ But the LORD is in his holy temple;
       let all the earth be silent before him."

Spirit house outside our apartment

Dressed elaborately with "gold and silver" and food

The need is great here, friends. Please pray. As you faithfully seek God on our behalf remember the Thai's and why we've been sent. We will not convert a soul, but we will faithfully and obediently speak the name that is above all names, when the time is right. We have entered their culture and will be sensitive to that. We must evangelize in a way that will provoke interest, not just merely entertain them with "our God". Our team is seeking God, diligently, in how best to speak His name. We are surrounded by so many empty, hollow idols that have no power or authority. We hold in us the truth of the one true God who has all authority and power over heaven and earth. How I ache for them to understand this love and peace. How I pray to be a bold witness for Christ and not be intimidated by this culture, but remain sensitive to how they worship and pray. It's very difficult and challenging, but God knew exactly what the need would be and called us to this place, at this time, to these people for purposes beyond anything we can see or understand. We remain focused on Him and cry out to Him for all we need.

"But the Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked-he hates those who do love violence"

Psalm 11:4-5

"Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer"
Psalm 9:10

Conquering fears

2010-07-26T09:50:00.000+07:00

water taxi arriving

Yesterday was a big day for me. Dick (my father-n-law) stayed home with the kids (he's SUCH a blessing) while Brett and I saught out to conquer a big "to do" list. I have found, just in the week I've been here, that "to do" lists are NOTHING like back in the states. I would wake up, write down my 10-15 things I needed to take care of and go about my day. Usually, most things I needed to get done were scratched off by the evening. Here, it's a great day to accomplish 2 things! My lists are shorter and they revolve around a new way of thinking: "I need groceries and pans, so if we take the water taxi to the BTS we can walk to the store to buy pans. Assuming we don't have too much to carry, we can hit the grocery strore on the way back and get just what we need for dinner". A completely new way of doing things!

Brett and I left yesterday morning and I was about to conquer a huge fear. Using public transit. I might sound like a baby, but I've never lived in a big city-so this public transit thing is very new and intimidating to me. I will be starting school August 5 and will have to take the transit by myself to get to school. This is a HUGE area of fear for me, so getting out yesterday was very important. Brett is a great teacher and gets around amazingly well, so I felt very safe. We started the morning by waiting for a water taxi. During the week, these things are going non-stop and at extremely fast paces. Very intimidating. You have to be ready to hop on and off within just a few seconds before they leave. Finding a seat is nearly impossible so before they "dock" you have to find your place to stand before hopping on. Once on, the ride is quick. The oder is hard to get use to. Fumes from the engine is one thing, but the water is very polluted and flithy. There were a group of young boys fishing in this water as we waited, probably hoping to catch their breakfast. Broke my heart.

water taxi leaving

Boys fishing

It's always busy-even sunday morning

Once getting on and off, I realized it was't as bad as I thought. Still don't know if I'll be able to do this with the kids, but we'll work up to that. Brett and I started our next walk to the subway. The subway is very clean and well marked. I'm so thankful signs are in English as well as Thai. Makes it A LOT easier. I was learning what the stops are and how to read the map. Things are set up in zones so there's a lot to learn! I watched Brett to see how we pay, how to get token and how to use the token. It's quite a process, but simple I found. Once arriving at our stop we made our way to the streets to walk to the store we were going. We passed one spirit house after another. I so badly wanted to post pictures for you, but it's not a good thing to take pictures of their spirit houses or of the Thai as they worship Buddha. It's heartbreaking, and fascinating. The temples are quite elaborate and have plates of food and jars of money for offerings. Once we made it to the store, we walked around and look for food. This is always a challenge. I was thankful for a smoothie shop:) I had a yummy fruit medley full of much needed nutrition. All of our team members have lost a LOT of weight upon arrival-and I know I"m shredding pounds, daily. I don't eat much and we're constantly walking off whatever we do eat. I was very happy to find something "normal". We then made our way into what I would compare to Walmart. What an experience.

At first, it was fun looking at the things we needed. That "fun" feeling wore off pretty quickly and discouragement took over. Trying to find anything is a challenge. Things are set up in a way that make NO sense to my orderly way of thinking. Things are in Thai, some in English, but again, it's a challenge to find anything. Plus, we mush convert Baht to American dollars to make sure it's a good buy and not outside of our already tight budget. More challenges. We managed to find pans and other cooking essentials-but couldn't find what I would consider common needs-like dish towels! We found a drying rack which will make laundry a little easier. We found most of what we needed and filled our cart. I'm so bummed I forgot to take a picture. We were outside the store and had to repack the bags into the carrying sacks I brought from home. The security guard got a kick out of us trying to pack it all in a backpack and cloth grocery bags. We did it though, and started our trek home:) Again, everything here is a process! Before catching the subway home, we stopped at a Japanese place and ate a good lunch. I had rice with chicken-good and safe. Brett had fried rice. Good and safe:) We'll branch out, eventually!

All in all it was good. I was able to tell Brett which way we needed to go home-what stop we were taking, etc. I got my own coin from the machine and started acclimating myself to my surroundings. It's still very overwhelming but the more I get out and do this, the easier it'll become. Soon, it'll just be my new "norm". The hardest thing for me was walking by the places of worship. We were getting ready to leave this "walmart" and just before leaving there was another large temple. People were waiting in line to praise their Buddha and give an offering. Some offered food, some coins and others, cash. They're offering this in hopes of a better life. Oh how I pray for their hearts and minds. They're so very devoted to their God and believe very much in their efforts of works based faith. I struggle with believing we will make a difference as we're grossly out numbered. Thankful, this isn't our mission but Christ's alone. We are merely a vesel and will walk obediently the calling he's placed before us. I see, more and more, the need for learning their language. It is essential to teaching them of a greater hope and purpose, something beyond a feeding of rice or coin. The hope is in Christ and I pray for the day we can share that great news.

As I type this, I'm blessed with the presence of a little girl from Vietnam. They don't speak english, but this little girl loves watching Aiden color. God is amazing and He is in this place!

The day

2010-07-24T20:26:00.001+07:00

I praise God for every person reading this, who takes the time to pray for our family. You are very much a part of this story and provide much needed strength through your dedication to seek the Lord on our behalf. Thank you for the encouragement you've been sending!

Today was a really good day. We were finally able to sleep which made a HUGE difference in my attitude and perspective! I woke up feeling ready to get out and explore. We went to a place called J.J. Market. This place is INSANE. It's a weekend market where you can literally buy anything for ridiculously low prices. We have several things we still need for our apartment so it was lots of fun looking at all the stuff. The kids lasted about an hour, but thankfully there was a rockin park next to the market that they played at with Daddy, while I shopped. I found a few things-but still have a ways to go. We really need some pans so we can try to start cooking at home. In the states, I had so many typical things. Pampered chef baking sheets, casserole dishes, saucepans, frying pans, skillets, griddles, etc. Today, I'd be content with a wok and perhaps 1 saucepan! There's a big plus to not having a oven!!! I really do miss cooking and look forward to using whatever we have to prepare meals.

At the market we ate authentic Thai. The girls LOVE chicken and pork on a stick with sticky rice! Thankful we found something they'll eat!! The first order was white rice with chicken for Aiden...they brought her a plate of rice with thin layers of R.A.W. chicken on top. Next to that was cucumber which they put on EVERYTHING and then some liver. Needless to say that did NOT go over well with Aiden:) Adley however loved the rice and enjoyed some of my Pad Thai. I will confess that as much as I love Pad Thai I couldn't do it. Not yet. The shrimp still had the head and feet attached. I ate the noodles:) The good news is that the 6 of us ate for under $10.00! It is MUCH cheaper to eat out than in we're finding!

I wish I could describe what this market was like...thousands upon thousands of people packed in small spaces looking at stuff. Thousands of shops. Thousands of food vendors. People EVERYWHERE. I don't know if I'll ever get use to being around so many people-this city just doesn't sleep and never stops. The Thai's are very kind and love our kiddos! They get a kick out of hearing our kids greet them in Thai! Adley saluted the guard who stands outside our building each day. They always salute the men...Adley was adorable!

Walking to the BTS (elevated train station) we must pass some rough living conditions that are right outside of our apartment. We pass several spirit houses, which are temples built outside of buildings that people put food in so the evil spirits they fear will stay away. As we walked this morning I felt a heavy burden for these people and just began to pray. Without speaking the language it's nearly impossible to communicate anything much less share the gospel. I was reminded today to be still and allow the holy spirit to guide our every step. God can do more in a second than we'll do in a lifetime, so If I wait patiently on the lord, I know he will turn to me and give me whatever I need, in the very moment I need it, to do whatever it is He so desires. Our life is completely for Him. Everything we've done thus far is for Him and His kingdom. I'm so thankful we don't have to come convert or save anyone! That is SO not our job! We will have the opportunity to speak of an amazing savior who has the love, grace, mercy and peace so many Thai's seek. I'm anxious for the opportunities to arise and each day, I see more and more the dire need for Christ. That reality helps me push aside the fears and worries of each day and focus on the truth that must be revealed. God is real. God is alive and hungry to hold His children! I pray for the people of this city and for the light of Christ to illuminate every part of the darkness which surrounds us!

Walking to BTS

Kids on the BTS

Fighting the flesh

2010-07-23T08:13:00.000+07:00

The kids and I have safely arrived in Bangkok. The flights were a clear sign that we've been covered in prayer. The kids did amazingly well and my father-in-law and I worked as a great team. The first 2 flights were very smooth. Adley slept more than anyone. Aiden and I slept the least. Our final flight was the challenging one, but after a rough beginning the kids got settled and we made it. Today, we still battle jet leg and the time difference. The kids are falling asleep around 3:00 each afternoon and though we've tried to wake them, they'll sleep til midnight and are then up all night. That has been a struggle. Niether Brett or myself are sleeping very well. Today we'll try a new method and just do whatever we can to keep them awake. Still, it's challenging.

The apartment is amazing. Clearly Brett waited on the Lord to show him exactly where we were to be. I had NO idea 800 sq feet could feel so spacious. The layout is perfect for us. We have room to move around and there is an insane amount of storage. It's beyond what I thought we'd have. God could have provided us with a Chanti down the street, yet for the price range we budgeted He gave us a retreat to return to each day. It's very much a humble blessing that we're VERY thankful for. Today, the kids bed will arrive. Right now we've been scattering everyone so they're VERY excited for the arrival. Finding bunks was pretty challenging but Brett found something that will fit all 3. We'll send pictures soon:)

For me, I have to say I've really struggled since arriving. I knew I had to come into Bangkok with zero expectations. I knew life would be different. I guess there's no preparing for living in a culture completely different from what I've always known. The first day I confess I was scared to leave the apartment. Part of it was due to jet leg and the need to unpack and feel somewhat settled. It didn't take me long to unpack our bags and find a place for our things. Then, fear set in. I walked onto the balcony of our 23rd floor high rise and began taking in the enormity of this city. It doesn't stop. The skyline is forever long extending as far as the east is to the west! The traffic is constant. People are everywhere at all times of the day and night. I felt tiny from the second we arrived. After staying indoors the first day, I realized fear was trying to take me down, so I woke up early the next morning, showered and got myself ready to "get out". Well, Aiden was sick with travel junk so I stayed home with her while Brett and Dick took Niah and Adley exploring. I can't tell you how thankful I was to be "home" another day. Fear was contaminating my thoughts. Fear of things I absolutely cannot and should not control. I was thinking up scenario's that were leaving me fearful of my front door. "Beth, I have given you peace and a sound mind. Do not give into the temptation of fear". God speaks every so gently.

Later in the day I told Brett I was ready. We needed some food and it was time to get my backpack and head to the market. As Brett and I walked the streets the emotions started pouring out. I looked around, again feeling so small, and couldn't see myself ever walking around or knowing where to go on my own. I felt utterly dependent on Brett to guide me everywhere. I lost all sense of direction (which I struggle with anyway) and again, felt a deep level of fear.
"How am I going to walk these busy streets with our kids. How am I going to keep them safe. What if I get lost? Who can help me...I can't speak this language and what if no one can help me...".

"Beth, you are not alone...I will never leave or forsake you....peace, love and a sound mind".

God speaks again and calms me.

As Brett and I begin to shop, I felt another wave of panic. The food, ugh. I was trying to purchase things our kids would eat. We'll slowly introduce them to Thai food, so far, they like very few things. Though we can buy American food it's triple the price and we simply cannot afford it. As I was trying to translate Baht and american money-I was overwhelmed with how expensive food is in the market. We of course have to feed the kids, but there was little I could find that I could A) read the label and B) could afford. After 30 minutes I just had a mini break down in the store. I tried to prevent the tears, but I couldn't. We went for a coffee and though Starbucks provoked a little comfort, I felt homesick and afraid. Fear. Fear. Fear.

I NEVER thought my first experiences would be this, but part of this story is walking out the many trials we'll face. For me, culture shock is real and I have to be honest about it. I'm struggling. I know I'll get through it, but it's very difficult right now. Here are some things you can pray about as we adjust:
-washing clothes and hanging them on a small patio to dry
-no hot water in the kitchen. we must boil water in order to clean the dishes. No modern luxuries I took for granted, such as a dishwasher, stove, hot water!
-luke warm to cold showers
-no freezer and a fridge that holds just enough food to last a couple of days
-cooling only the room you're in and leaving the rest of the doors closed so the air is not wasted
-walking everywhere with kids in tote. Shopping for food and making sure we only buy what we can carry home.
-Learning how to cook without an oven

There's so much more, but right now those are the things that strike me as challenges. Hear me when I say I know God is with us and is here to comfort and stretch me. I'm seeing how spoiled I was and how selfish I can be. When Brett and I walked home from the market, we went in a way that avoided us having to cross a busy street. We were a few minutes from our apartment but passed a mass of Chanti's where women were scrubbing clothes outside by the trash, in buckets of cold water. The smell was indescribable. The conditions looked unlivable but was their normal. We walked past a litter of kittens and a multitude of homeless dogs. It's all right here, right outside our door. I have to say it's overwhelming. The need is so great and there are so few of us, if I didn't know God was a HUGE God I would feel defeated.

I know God has a plan for us here, in this very location. I'm reaching out to Him and seeking His plan. Learning the language is HUGE as we cannot fulfill needs when we can't communicate. Pray, please pray, that our team can understand this very difficult language and retain it. It's very difficult.

Thank you for praying and for traveling this journey. I hope I don't seem super negative, just being honest about the struggles of this new life. I'm thankful for a sovereign God who is patient with me and showers me with underserving Love and kindness. He is with me, He is my refuge and strength and I know I can call upon His holy, precious name and be heard. I praise Him during this time and continue to seek Him, daily.

More updates soon. Pray for the people of Thailand. That their ears will hear, their minds will absorb and their hearts will be open and accepting to the love of the sacrificial lamb! Yahweh!!

Departure 1 has come

2010-07-03T20:49:00.000+07:00

Brett left early this morning to catch his flight to Bangkok. He'll be connecting in Chicago, then Tokyo, after a short layover he'll be on his final flight to Bangkok. Our initial concern was fitting everything into the allotted 2 bag, 50 pound rule (who on EARTH thought that was a good rule??). We were relieved to know he JUST made it within a couple of pounds. Huge relief! I talked with him briefly once he made it through security and he's ready. He's somewhat looking forward to the insanely long flight, and somewhat dreading it! He's very anxious to arrive, reunite with the team members already there and hit the ground early Monday morning. First thing on his agenda is finding an apartment! Most people would sleep, but my sweet husband is focused on finding a "home" for his family! Please pray for discernment! We know God has already chosen our home, now it's a matter of seeking Him and following His guidance so we end up where we're suppose to be! The kids and I leave (along with Brett's Dad) July 19. The new chapter has begun.

I woke up early with Brett this morning and had some time to reflect on all that has happened in just under 2 years! When we left for India a year + ago, I'm not sure I fully understood SURRENDER. I knew I wanted God to be all I lived for. I knew I wanted to fully live my life for Him. Brett and I knew, as a couple, that we wanted God to be the center of all we are. Still, surrender was a bit scary. Saying "yes" to many unknowns was scary. However, shortly after standing on India soil, we knew we lost all control of the lives we knew. Truthfully, we realized we never had control but constantly tried to be the driving force behind all we did. Once we started selling everything off, we realized more and more that our lives were created for God and by God to bring glory to God in ALL we do and say. Nothing we "sacrificed" was as big or as meaningful as the sacrifice God made for us years ago on the cross. Nothing we walked away from carries the same heaviness that the cross bore on the back of our savior. The journey to the cross was NOT one of happy memories but of great surrender, the greatest surrender.

So, today as I reflect on SURRENDER all I know is this. God chose us to do amazing things for Him-for His kingdom. God desires all of us. Each and everyone of us. Not all will accept that. Many will deny Him. But, for the few that follow the "narrow path"-He desires every part of you. Not the parts that are easy to let go of. He desires the true, authentic sacrifice. Your entire life. Giving up the life you dreamed of and shifting routes, completely. Walking away from a comfortable, safe home and living in the world of the unknown. Resigning your position in a well paying job where your monthly needs are financially secure. Surender. Saying yes to the unknown and accepting whatever comes. Following-obediently-the path God laid out for us long ago. It's an adventure-it's a journey and it's one that I'd say YES to day after day after day.

I'll leave you with a quote from a missionary martyred years ago:
"Lord I give up all my plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes and accept thy will for my life"
-Betty Scott Stan
Missionary to China

So I gave myself....

2010-06-24T11:14:00.000+07:00

A Story from Liberia, AFRICA

“I Gave Myself”
It was Christmas, and the Liberian Christians had been asked this year instead of receiving gifts, to help carry the Gospel to others.
As in many mission fields, they brought, not money, but produce. Presently, the great plates were piled high with offerings of rice, cocoa, bananas, palm nuts, pineapple, and cassava.
There was a moment’s pause . . .
Slowly, a twelve-year-old boy walked forward and solemnly placed his feet in one of the plates. Afterward, when the missionary questioned him, the boy said . . .
“We are very poor. I did not have anything else to give . . . so I gave myself.”

I love this story and read it over and over again. A 12 year old boy was bold enough to step into an "offering plate" and give all he had, which was himself. He was willing to step into something completely, with absolute abandonment of his world. He offered himself to be a living sacrifice. How I pray to be that, daily.

I hope this story encourages you to step back and check yourself. How are you choosing to offer yourself, daily. HOw are we, the body, choosing to put all we have into an offering plate. It's not just something we "give" on Sunday's when the basket is passed, or the occasional times we choose to step into a Church. I mean, how are we, daily, choosing to offer ourselves to God? We were created for Him. We were created to serve. I know I can be doing so much more. How I pray to have the courage of that 12 year old boy!

Lost in transition

2010-06-18T11:10:00.000+07:00

We've made it through 2 very difficult transitions in the past few weeks. First, packing up and saying goodbye to some amazing people in Atlanta. We were given the opportunity to befriend refugee families from all over the world. I've written about many of them in past posts. What started off as an opportunity to serve quickly turned into a friendship and love that's indescribable. They are our family and it was so painful saying goodbye. We shed many tears, shared a few more laughs and circled up, praying in each of our native languages. It was a moment I'll never forget and will forever cherish. I have no idea if we'll see these precious families again, but I do know that nothing about befriending them was an accident and I'm SO thankful for the months we had together.

We've spent the past 2 weeks running all over Nashville. It was SO good to be home, but SO very crazy. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner plans each and everyday! I'm certainly not complaining as we're so blessed to have so many amazing friends who genuinely love and support us and are interested in what's up. It's very humbling and exciting to have the opportunity to share our story with so many. In between all the meals, I had several opportunities to share our story and give our information to Dr.'s, nurses and office assistants while waiting for our appointments. The more I share what God has done in our lives this past year and 1/2 the more I'm amazed by his faithfulness and provision!!

We had 2 commissioning services. June 6 we were part of the Lifepoint service. Amazing day. 3 services where the gospel was preached with compassion and conviction. 3 services where God's heart for missions was taught. We were with our team again, presented before the Church and prayed over. Prayers of blessing and protection, wisdom and strength were prayed over each of us. Because our family are members of another Church, we didn't know many people yet we were still surrounded by faithful warriors who genuinely desired to shower us with prayer and strength. The body BEING THE body! Lifepoint has taken our family in as one of their own. Though we don't attend Church their regularly and are not members, they have extended nothing but love and acceptance to us since we first became part of this team. It's fascinating to watch 2 Church's come together in the name of Christ to do His will-and have genuine support by both sending Church's. This is how it should be, always!

After another busy week of meetings we had our final worship service with Ridgeview Community. I tear up even writing this as I reflect on the sweetness of that day. Brett and I were able to be part of the worship team one final time and it was amazing. Really, my hubs rocked that platform and we got into some worship! We had an amazing group of friends pray over us. These are the anchors in our lives. These are the people who have walked every step of this journey with us. These are the people who were first to see the change in us upon our return from India. These were the encouragers, prayer warriors, voices of truth and wisdom. They each had their hands on us and as they prayed, I truthfully felt like I was in the arms of Christ. Totally surrounded and comforted by His presence and promises "never will I leave you nor forsake you". Then, our Pastor looked us in the eye and promised to never let us go. He reminded us that we ARE NOT alone and WILL NOT be left alone. He has genuine love for our family and supports every step of this journey. We have an associate Pastor and his wife, Pam and Eddie, who have done more than anyone will ever understand for us. Eddie was there when God spoke to us in India. Eddie witnessed first hand the world of ours that was completely rocked. Eddie and Pam have faithfully stepped OUT OF THE BOAT with Brett and I to make sure all details needed for this journey are covered. RCC is sending us out, to be a light and to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. They support us, encourage us and fill us. I'm SO proud to be part of this amazing body.

After an awesome service and very powerful message it was time for the inevitable. The goodbyes I'd been dreading for months. Saying goodbye to the best friends and support system I've ever had. How? I wanted to disappear and stop all the goodbyes and just escape. But there were so many that needed to know how much we love them and thank them for all they've done for us. SO many to love on just one more time. Oh it was heart wrenching. Today, I will tell you part of me is still in Nashville. I feel numb to a lot of this as the pain is just too much. I have no idea when I'll see my best friend again. The girls that have armed up beside me and have walked through the darkest times of my life thus far. The girls that have never judged, condemned or walked away. My rocks. My anchors. My support. Oh I hated saying goodbye. It was a very bittersweet day and when it was time to walk away, I did so with great pain.

Today, I'm at my in laws and am so thankful for this time of rest. We are staying in a beautiful house with precious family and I'm soaking it all in. I'll leave with the kids tomorrow for a visit to Ia to see my family and then back to WI to prepare for the big move. I do NOT look forward to the remaining goodbyes. Saying goodbye to family. Ugh. Thank God for strength and promises. Years ago, when I became a Christian, I never thought I'd be in this place. I never saw myself as they type of person that would sell off everything and live on foreign soil. I never imagined myself living across the world and leaving friends and family behind. All I know is that I need to take advantage of every opportunity and every moment God allows me to be with friends and family. I have no idea how many days I'm granted...so instead of focusing on the goodbyes, I'm focusing on the memories being made. This is a sweet, sweet time!

Home-bittersweet-Home

2010-06-04T20:47:00.000+07:00

Nothing about transitions is easy for me. I used to be a person who loved consistency and predictability. Call me boring, but it worked for me! I guess God started preparing me for a life as a missionary years ago when I met Brett! Nothing about marrying a musician is consistent OR predictable, which is exactly what our last year and 1/2 has been! It's so cool to reflect on the 12 (almost 13) years of marriage Brett and I have been blessed to celebrate-and see how God's hand was in EVERYTHING we've done. Even the dark times of our marriage, God was there preparing, molding and shaping us for this time. Amazing!

So, here we are-another huge transition. Right now, I write to you from Tennessee. This has been "home" for 14 years so being back is AWESOME. However, 5 months in Atlanta completely changed us and fired up an intense passion within each of us to love on those who look and act NOTHING like us. Atlanta birthed a place in us of great burden for other countries where people are treated with great injustice. Atlanta opened our eyes to what is RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR DOOR. I confess that when we left Atlanta last week, I struggled. I didn't feel like our work was done. In fact, I feel like it had JUST started. I felt like we were abandoning the families we "adopted" and left them with no hope for a easy transition to our culture and way of life. I looked at the sweet, sobbing faces of our sweet families and just thought- "we have to stay". If it were up to Brett and me, I think we would! However, we chose long ago to walk in the ways and instruction of the Lord almighty and sometimes that just doesn't make sense. It's not a life we're suppose to have all the answers for or understand completely, it's a life we surrender our plans to and obey. We walk the narrow path laid before us and trust that whoever comes along that path was chosen by God to be at that place, at that time, to receive hope, love and promise for a better future!

Matthew 7:14 (New Living Translation)

14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

When I think of that above scripture I just picture a very small, narrow hallway that we're walking down. When you're in a small, crowded space-chances are you'll bump into walls, scrape against the sides, injure yourself while trying to stay straight and focused. Walking down a narrow ANYTHING is difficult. AS a believer in the gospel and in Christ Jesus, we have to know that the path laid before us will be anything but safe and easy. This is why scripture teaches us that few will ever find it. To some, I guess walking back to the wide gate would be the easier-wiser choice. I think some of our friends and family would prefer us to do that as our departure date to Thailand quickly approaches. But for us, walking anything BUT that narrow path would be completely outside of God's will and instruction and the devastation that could potentially happen on THAT road will be significantly more painful and less fulfilling than anything we'll face on this narrow path. Brett and I pray and seek God fervently and we trust in not only His sovereignty, but in His protection and promises. Saying good-bye to our friends, families, etc. is VERY PAINFUL. There are days when I just want to avoid everything so it doesn't hurt so much. Part of me wishes we just secretly left so we don't have to deal with the good-bye's. As painful as it is, I'm thankful we have SO many to love AND I'm humbled to be the recipient of such sweet love. As painful as it is, I wouldn't change it for anything. Really, it's the kind of love Brett and I desire SO MUCH to take into the nations who are starving for this! I can't keep it to myself when I know there are millions of people suffering for this love and hope which is Jesus Christ!

Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
Bringing salvation to the ends of the earth does NOT mean that Brett, the kids and I will be saving the nations. It doesn't mean that anyone from our team has been given the gift of salvation (saving others). That scripture is FILLED with truth and promise-that by us choosing to walk this narrow path, and as believers, we have the light of christ which is the only hope for salvation and when we choose to bring that to the ends of the earth, there will be a radiant reflection of the one and only true God. That is a path I'll walk, daily.

Emotional wind down

2010-05-22T07:41:00.000+07:00

January 1, our arrival was-to say the least-NOTHING any of us expected. None of us knew where Norcross was, where we'd be living and what or time in GA would really look like. None of our team had any idea what Clarkston was and who populated it. Some had heard of World Relief, but none of us understood the capacity of what they do, daily, weekly, monthly, etc. for the lives of many displaced families. None of us knew what a refugee family experienced prior to their arrival to the US. We had NO idea that we would not only have the opportunity to meet some of these families, but team up alongside World Relief and stand with families just arriving to the US. We had NO idea we would deal with language barriers, culture differences, assisting in application processes for welfare, explain how food stamps work, etc. The BIGGEST thing we were totally unprepared for was how we'd feel at the end. The NOW.

May 28 is our final day of missions training school. May 29 is departure day. This month we're dispersing furniture, clothes, toys, etc. to several in need (and want). As we approach our final 2 weeks, the reality of GOOD-BYE has hit. We have formed VERY close relationships with some VERY precious people and saying goodbye will be much harder than we EVER thought. This past week we spent a couple of days in Clarkston, with several of our refugee friends. A couple from Iraq who fed us and spent hours just talking to us about their amazing stories. A full day with the family we adopted through world relief. Neither husband or wife spoke english when they arrived in Feb of this year. We have had to become very creative in how we communicate. We had a bond with them instantly. We had a love and passion for their family within hours of our first visit. 4 months later, we sat on their couch and listened to Mama cry her heart out at the loss of our family. Through a translator she thanked us, continually, for all we've done. She told us we're family and they are sad we're leaving and will be so lonely. She prayed blessings over our family and told us she loves us. NOT PREPARED FOR THE TEARS. We had an hour with a translator that allowed US to share our love for her and her beautiful family. How THEY have filled us and given us SO much that we're forever grateful and forever changed. They will never leave our thoughts our hearts and it pains us to say goodbye.

Hannah and Sevda have become our family. Sevda has become the 4th Clark kid in our home. She is with us everyday. Our kids love her and the friendship they've developed. Her mother and I have become precious friends. How do you say goodbye to that?

We will soon be "home" for 2 weeks to see our Nashville family. But, after 2 weeks it's yet more painful goodbyes. Best friends, Church family, friends who have walked through every trial we have ever faced. Our kids, though they are young, have their best buddies whom the CANNOT WAIT TO SEE. 2 weeks is not enough time to squeeze in all the visits, but then, I'd take several more years with these people!
We then travel the states to spend time with family. There are NO guarantees how long we have. Saying goodbye to our family b/c we're moving to the other side of the world just feels harder. This could be goodbye for now, or goodbye for good. Knowing what we'll miss, knowing we're disappointing and concerning those we love so much..yet another difficult goodbye.
We then load up and travel to the other side of the world and figure out how to live! How do you prepare for such a journey? All we know is that God goes before us, He sustains us, He is with us and remains with us from beginning to end. He has given us the gift of befriending people who don't look like us, talk like us or live like us. He has given us a burden and passion for the people of this world and as difficult as the goodbyes and transitions are, the thought of doing this again, in another country, is BEYOND EXCITEMENT! The goodbyes are painful. The unknowns can be fearful. The questions and concerns are normal. At the end of the day, saying YES to God is still the ONLY way we'd go. It's difficult. It's challenging. It's isolating and draining. However, it's our purpose. Our destiny and our legacy to the gifts we've been given. We will go. We will discern. We will obediently walk out this amazing calling the Lord has placed on each of our lives. Tears will fall, but we have comfort in knowing every tear that falls is caught by the hands of the one who calls us, sends us, equips us and loves us more than we could EVER imagine. That's a calling worth living!

"Let our refugees stay among you....."

2010-05-18T11:14:00.001+07:00

"LET OUR REFUGEES STAY AMONG YOU. HIDE THEM FROM OUR ENEMIES UNTIL THE TERROR IS PAST"
-ISAIAH 16:4

Typically Monday's are Brett's reading days. After we all have lunch, The kids and I finish school work and usually head outside while Brett gets started on one of the 2 books he must read each week. Today, we had a different opportunity. Dinner in Clarkston.

As we've shared, Tuesdays are spent in Clarkston with a refugee family we "adopted" through world relief. In the process of building a relationship with them, we have met several other refugee families who are curious to know us and why we come each week. We have met some AMAZING people and each week it seems like God has given us another opportunity to "love your neighbor as yourself". Safaa and his wife Azhura are one of those couples. Months ago, Brett and I were outside the apartments in the "play area" and we noticed this man struggling to install a satellite dish. Brett immediately went to help him and that opened the door to a new friendship. Each week when we come see our family, Safaa always invites us in for Chai, or bread, or kit kats, cookies, etc. Brett has spent as much time with them as possible. Last week they asked us to come have dinner, so of course we said yes!

We were there for at least 4 hours. Sitting on their roach infested floor, eating Iraq food with our children and listening to their amazing story. They had a new home in Iraq. New furniture. Friends. Family. Good job. They had so much, but were violently chased out of their home by military and Safaa was put in Iraq jail for 25 days where he endured great persecution and torture (they're Muslim). When the US invaded Iraq he was freed by our soldiers. Amazing. They left their EVERYTHING and came to a foreign land where they have nothing. They are smart. Educated. Hard working and 2 of the most loving people we know. Going back is not an option so they're looking for the best in where they're at. They're thankful for the freedom this country offers. What breaks my heart is,like most refugee's, very few Americans are around to help. They have 1 American friend who has helped them with their language. Safaa must work to provide for his family so he's unable to study like his wife, but her english is VERY good. She works VERY hard to understand our culture and language and he's doing a great job picking it up. This man is able to literally fix ANYTHING. His microwave broke. Obviously he can't buy a new one, so he took it apart and fixed it. Same with his TV, computer, car, fishing pole, etc.

They were so loving and hospitable to us. Azhura had made a wonderful meal, offering us the best of what they have. I know they live on VERY LITTLE and they continually offered us the best of what they have. They were filled with joy to watch us eat with them and listen to our stories as we listened to theirs. Why has it taken us this long to learn of these amazing people???

Those of you who read this blog, hear my heart. These refugee families endure more than you and I will probably EVER face in this lifetime. They are brave and courageous and have amazing stories to tell. Most larger cities have refugee families who need help. Anyone can sign up for this and help. You don't have to have money. You don't have to be a "missionary" or a pastor or teacher, etc. They just want your friendship, guidance and love. We are called to be the light and to love our NEIGHBORS as ourselves. These families move here and most of them will never have an American friend who genuinely desires to just be their friend. We all have the ability and opportunity to reach out and befriend an International and help them transition. SO-call your local world relief program and see how you can plug in. If you live somewhere that doesn't have world relief, check out their website for more info re: how you can help. Do NOT let sympathy substitute action (David Livingstone).

http://worldrelief.org/Page.aspx?pid=192

Tuesdays in Burmaville

2010-05-11T10:36:00.000+07:00

I'm a little late on posting this. My desire was to post this LAST Tuesday night. O well, better late than never:-)

I'm writing about the things I absolutely LOVE about Tuesdays.
-Hearing our kids say "YES...we get to see our family today"
-Getting school work finished and looking around our apartment for things to take to the kids or games we can play once we arrive
-Listening to the kids constantly ask "is it time to leave yet".
-When it IS finally time to leave, they pack up with ZERO complaint as we make the 20+ minute drive.
-Upon arrival, being chased down by a handful of precious Burmese children. Occasionally our friends daughter from Iraq will greet us as well. In fact-it's usually a new group of faces that greet us each week.
-Watching Dawt Chun, Bawi Hnem and Chin Par come running to us and immediately help unbuckle Adley and get him out so the girls can get out...then they all run off and play.
-Brett and I usually go in to greet San Hmung and Men Iang and their (and our new) friends. We'll have talk time, coffee and donuts and sometimes a fabulous meal. We'll help fill out paperwork, work on english, play with the kids, make Dr. appointments, explain medicaid, get kids school registration papers filled out, etc. etc. etc. IT. IS. AWESOME.!

Here are my 2 favorite memories of last week:
1) The "playground" was VERY muddy from recent rains so the kids really couldn't play. None of these kids have outside toys to play with. So, what do they do? Well-grab a GROCERY CART of course. They spent SO MUCH TIME playing on this cart. Our kids were in the middle of all of it (that, and throwing shoes from the parking lot to the 2nd floor landing...fun huh?) having a blast. You'll notice Adley in the pictures fitting right along with the Burmese kids who are used to not wearing shoes:-) Ironically, at the end of the day, ADLEY was one of the only kids NOT wearing shoes. They laughed and laughed and had SO MUCH FUN.

My MOST FAVORITE MEMORY was leaving. Chin Par is almost 2. When we first starting visiting this family she would cry and run from Brett. Week after week she would NOT warm up to him. Though he tried, she just wouldn't budge. Over the last 4 weeks her little heart has FINALLY opened up to Brett and SHE.LOVES.HIM. When he walks in the door she gets SO excited. She'll grab his hand and ONLY HE can take her out to play. She wants him with her at all times. So, as we were packing up to go, she boldly and confidently grabbed his hand as we were walking towards the van. We were laughing b/c she acted as if she was coming with us. Well, the next move she made was climbing INTO the van and trying to push Adley away from his seat. She WAS coming.

When she realized Adley wouldn't cave, she went to the back seat and sat in between the girls. The picture captured her pride as she sat down in what she believed to be HER seat.

When Mama finally told her she must leave she threw a CLASSIC fit. Screamed. Kicked. Got limp. She was SO mad. It was hilarious and so heartwarming. She loves our family and we are filled in abundance the moment we step into their world and are overflowing the moment we drive away. Why are we so fortunate to get to be in their lives?

This family, like most other refugees, have nothing but LOVE to give. They can't "offer" money, furniture, clothing, or even food. So, they offer themselves. Fully and completely. Whatever they have, they give. They're the most loving, compassionate, sweet and precious people we know. I pray we can become more like them! SO happy tomorrow is TUESDAY!

Our cup runneth over....

2010-05-03T09:56:00.000+07:00

We've had an AMAZING weekend. My heart is over joyed and though we're all exhausted, we're so energized about the many blessings we've received.

Last Thursday, Brett drove to Clarkston to take our Burmese family to the Dr. It was time for more shots. The last 2 weeks, our family has had another woman with a newborn baby staying with them. That's 7 people is a TINY 2 bedroom apartment. This woman has been in the US for 2 years and speaks enough english to carry somewhat of a conversation which is SOOO great. On Thursday Brett was able to meet her husband, Sang. He speaks VERY good english and they were able to finally communicate with San Hmung (our family) and his wife. I can't explain how exciting this is, but after months of just trying to communicate with body language and laughs, we finally shared our hearts! They now understand that we'll be leaving in just a few short weeks and told us how much they appreciate us and our friendship. They also told us they're very sad we're leaving. You have to know that this KILLS us. We have grown to LOVE this family beyond words. Their kids chase our van down as we pull into their apartment. WE all embrace with hugs (which is NOT Chin culture..at all) and have such a wonderful time together. Meeting with them each week is seriously the highlight of what we're doing here in Atlanta. They lift our spirits and inspire us. They've been through SO much and they continue to smile and be filled with joy. Amazing.

SO, on Thursday Brett and Sang made a plan for their 2 families to come have lunch with us on Saturday. I was SO excited!! I made an Asian shrimp and asparagus linguine that was YUMMY (they really liked it, too, which was a good thing) and we spent ALL day together. As soon as they walked in our door, we all embraced and the kids ran off and played. Their kids are doing MUCH better with english, but our kids still don't understand each other, yet they play and have SO much fun together. WE sat and talked to one another, shared stories and just laughed. When it was time to eat, I became teary by looking at these sweet families around our table, eating, talking and living. They are free. They're free from persecution and bondage. They have the chance to make a new life unlike so many of their family and friends. They have the opportunity to do more than they ever thought they could do. They were in our home, loving on our kids and allowing us to enter their lives. Humble doesn't come close to how I feel.

After lunch, San Hmung and Brett took all the kids outside while I cleaned up. Sang and his wife stayed inside with me and their precious baby. We talked about their life in Burma and their escape to Maylasia and then their arrival in the US. Sang explained to me that the soldiers in Burma chase people out of their homes so the gov't can use their land. They're persecuted (several of these persecutions result from their Christian faith) and chased out of their homes. IF they try to return, more persecution. They lived with San Hmung in Burma and the refugee camp in Maylasia. Sang and his wife have been here for 2 years, San Hmung and family just arrived in January. Brett and i are SO excited to know that they have such good friends living here now! We were worried about them being on their own. The entire afternoon continued with more discussions about our family and why we're moving to Thailand. Sang and his wife are believers as well, so it was exciting to tell them about our call to full time missionary work in Thailand. They accepted Christ due to missionaries speaking to them in Burma. They have SUCH peace and joy...the kind that ONLY come from truly walking with the Lord. Amazing people.

After a long, fun day of play it was time to take them home. After Brett dropped San Hmung and his family off, he and Sang spent the rest of the afternoon locking down details for his babys' dedication that occurred today. He was booking an Asian buffet for over 100 of his friends. WHAT.??!! He invited our family to attend this service while we were eating lunch, and then he shared with Brett that we are HIS FIRST AMERICAN FRIENDS. He's lived here for 2 YEARS. Heartbreaking. This man is precious. He and his wife have SO MUCH love and life and I just can't believe that we're the first Americans to befriend them. Oh it hurts Brett and I to think about it.

Fast forward to today. Brett and I, along with our kiddos, joined Sang and his family at their house of worship. It was a Chin service. We were 1 of 2 Americans there. It was awesome. Our kids LOVED the children's area where they played with several Burmese kids. In fact, Aiden liked it so much she asked if we could go back next week. They speak VERY LITTLE ENGLISH and it doesn't even affect our kids. Amazing. The service was 3 HOURS LONG. Oh my. BUT, what I love is that the Pastor came and introduced himself and felt it necessary to introduce us to his church family. He had a guest speaker who stopped several times through out the marathon service to speak to us in English. His words and wisdom were powerful. I LOVED hearing the people pray. Oh it was so moving. I couldn't understand a word, but they were so filled with passion, conviction and reverence it was inspiring. During the baby dedication, one of the babes was fussing, so THE PASTOR stood and went to the pew this family was sitting in, and found the baby's bottle. They're like a HUGE family and I lOVED being there. Midway through a precious little girl brought several people bottles of water. They're just an amazing group of people and they were SO THANKFUL that AMERICANS would come and worship with them, show kindness, acceptance and love. In fact, we were thanked for the VERY thing we should ALL BE DOING daily. I was humbled. I was saddened. I was overflowing.

THEN-off to the feast. Our family was among over 100 chins while we ate, laughed, prayed and shared stories. Amazing. These people are serious about buffet! We were a little frightened when we saw them attack the isles of food. Then, as soon as they're done eating, they just get up and leave. It was hysterical and totally unfamiliar to us. LOVED IT!

So, now we're back home and I just can't believe God allows us to do what we do. I'm burdened for these refugee families but I'm so thankful that we've seen how they love one another. This entire Church service I observed children (babies) being passed from one person to another...they all love one another, accept one another and respect one another. The amazing thing is that they extended that very love and acceptance to us. They live out the biblical perspective of Chirst life living, or biblical christianity. My prayer is to see more American's embrace their missions fields surrounding them. Clarkston is just one of many areas filled with people who need the love of Christ. We will be spending as much time as possible with these families before we must say goodbye. Enjoy the pictures. THEY ARE PRECIOUS.
(just so you know, they really were having fun..they just don't smile in pictures. It's just a funny Asian thing we're learning about).

Clark Family Video #1

2010-04-20T09:15:00.002+07:00

Clark Family Video # 1 from brettclark1527 on Vimeo.

Truth?

2010-04-14T09:46:00.001+07:00

Have you ever really stopped to take a look at life? Have you taken the time to look back at your upbringing and wonder why we believe the things we do? Take two of the big things in the Christian faith Christmas, and Easter. No really I'll give you a couple minutes...

So you took time to think about both of those right? What did you think about, was it the memories, time with family? Was it fond memories of childhood? For me that is true, both of these holidays bring back some great childhood memories as well as some really amazing memories with my wife and children. Let's not stop at what our culture has taught us. If we were to go further and ask what these holidays are about in the church I assume you would most likely say, the birth and Resurrection of Christ? Both of these points in history are very important to what my family and I believe, but we have been struggling with the truth behind them. Here is a quote from a book by John Davis called "Poles Apart".

"I grew up without realizing that Easter sunrise services could easily revert to their original paganism if Christians attending them do not see and sense a Christian meaning in them. The very word EASTER comes from a Teutonic spring goddess of fertility called EOSTRE. The same is true of Christmas. We have all fought to maintain Christ in Christmas, since Christmas is also originally a pagan holiday that was taken over by the early church. Romans gave gifts to each other on December 25th long before Jesus was born...

When we stop and look at what the Bible says there are many "Holy Days" that are not mentioned. Many of these seem to have been adapted from Pagan culture. Now I'm not bashing Christmas or Easter, I'm just suggesting that I need to dig a little deeper into what our Western Culture has brought us up to believe and what the Bible has to say about it. Perhaps I just need to respond to these holidays, and celebrate the BIblical truth behind them. We should celebrate the birth of Christ, the Resurrection and as long as we are celebrating these we should look at the Ascension (Acts 1: 1-11, Luke 24: 31), and Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-13) and the historical significance behind those.

Be cautious not to accept what another person has taught you to be true. In fact, don't take my word for it, go take a look for yourself and decide what you believe to be true. You might be surprised that what we accept culturally is lacking in some real fundamental truth.

Brett

Mural

2010-04-11T09:19:00.000+07:00

Today we had the opportunity to sit and listen to a man who has been a missionary in Bangkok. He and his family, along with 10 others, were sent by their Church 20 years ago to plant church's in Bangkok. They were there for 10 years and did some amazing things. Today, he had amazing insight to share, some encouragement and some difficult things to prepare us for. He shared all the things they didn't do well, and encouraged us as a team to stay unified and to be very prayerful and strategic with all we're doing with the Thai students. It was SO encouraging and SO needed right now. We were fed. We were prepared. We were trained. I think we all walked away wishing we had more time with him! Selfishly, I was disappointed that his wife wasn't there as I have SO many questions from the women's side:) I did leave with an email address so that is VERY exciting!

The kids were with us for this 3+ hour meeting, and though they did amazingly well, by the 3rd hour they were done. Fortunately, we met in a MASSIVE Church with an AMAZINGLY decorated children's area. Our meeting room was IN the children's section and it was gorgeous. Every wall was covered in a mural of bright, beautiful colors with animals everywhere, symbolizing sheep and Noah's ark. I took the kids out to a little play area in the hall where all these murals were. At one point, I told Aiden and Kevin (another team members little boy) to walk down the long hall and just admire the beautiful artwork. I noticed that Aiden was SO close to the wall she was only seeing 1 animal at a time. As I watched her, I suggested that she step back so she could see more. She took several steps back and her eyes were HUGE as she admired all the detail and beauty literally covering every part of this long hallway.

In that moment, God revealed some awesome truth to me. As she stepped away and looked at the full picture, God showed me the relevance. If we remain fixated on ONE thing that's right in front of us, we'll only see that ONE thing. Whether we're focusing on the money we still need to raise or the Bankok budget that can cause some stress, or school, ministry, fear, etc. If that ONE thing is all we focus on it's all we'll see and it can become very discouraging. BUT, if we just step back and look at the fully painted picture, God's fully painted picture, our eyes will be opened to so much beauty that we would have NEVER seen standing so close to the object of focus. The mural of our life is done. God has the details worked out along our path and if we focus on THAT and just take a few steps back, I believe we'll see all the beauty he has planned for us. The fear and anxiety of the unknown are washed away because we can see more of the beauty he's painted for us.

It was a big moment for me and I loved the expression on Aiden's face when she stepped back and admired not just the colors, but the animals and barns, houses, stores, etc. There was SO much to see. I can't help but carry that sweet face in my memory bank knowing that this journey God has us on is full of completed murals that he wants us to step back, admire and fully take in. My hope and prayer is that we WILL step back and keep our eyes opened on the mural he's placed before us.

Love and peace!
Beth

Being Effective

2010-04-03T20:36:00.004+07:00

It seems that most of the time being effective can be linked to being active. So that is the question are you active? Not just physically active, although I could stand to get off the couch a bit more. What I'm talking about is doing something or looking to intentionally help even when it wasn't in our grand plan for the day.

The outreaches that we do as groups and families are great, they are planned to target a certain area and most likely reach a certain demographic. That danger in that is that we could stop there. What would it look look like if being active towards helping people became part of everyday life. I'm most likely the one who could be guilty of not following through on a thought to help someone. It can simply be seeing someone who is lost (not in a spiritual sense) and I ignore the thought in my head, "hey I should stop am help out". It is very easy to get caught up in my own schedule and forget to intentionally look for someone to help on a daily basis.

What would it look like if in your circle of family and friends you made the choice to daily be looking, in every situation, for someone to help? The multiplication factor of that can be huge, it actually the greatest pyramid scheme emmaginable. It's a lot like the movie Pay It Forward, if we all start doing something then before we know it the way we treat each other changes.

We are the hands God uses to put onto action his plan to bring everyone to the acceptance of Him. For one week give it a shot and don't worry about being 5 minutes late for that meeting, stop and love on someone who needs help. Those of you who already do this know how it changes your life when we stop living for ourselves.

Brett

It's been a while

2010-03-26T04:59:00.000+07:00

We had hoped to update more frequently, so if you've continued to stop by forgive us for the inconsistency! This is partly due to an insane schedule, and it's partly due to bloggers block (is there such a thing??). I've attempted to post several updates, yet leave them unfinished as I feel they've been foggy and unclear. I have finally realized that foggy is how I've been seeing things lately, which is why I should write!

Being a missionary is a funny thing. Really, I've always been a missionary, as has our family, but now that there's a "title" to accomodate this career path, it just feels different. Although we're still 100 days from moving over seas, we have quickly adapted the attitude and lifestyle of servants. Servants of the Holy one who has chosen us. Each day we have been surrounded with opportunities to be Christ-like to a hurting and needy person. We have continued to be tested and tried in our conviction to serve God and praise Him with every part of us. This is an exhausting call which I feel we fall short of accomplishing, daily.

Currently, I'm in Nashville. I've been awaiting the arrival of my best friends baby. The little angel decided to make his grand entrance 4 weeks early in quite the emergent way. Everyone is well (praise) and both Mom and baby are recovering in a very speedy way (praise). My plan was to come, with the kids, and nurse BFF back to good health and strength. We both pictured this serene time and saw it as a beautiful time of peace and bonding. HA. We imagined sitting on her bed as the other 5 kids magically entertained themselves and were well behaved while Mommy and me stared at little miracle baby and talked about how amazing God is. HA. Hopefully YOU'RE laughing out loud right now. That was THE FURTHEST thing from happening! We arrived last Thursday afternoon and immediately my servant heart and attitude were challenged. I went from my schedule, routine and comfort to someone else's home who had no time to prepare for "guests". I also went from being care giver to 3 to full time care giver to 7. Yikes. There simply wasn't enough of ME to go around and I quickly became overwhelmed, exhausted and teary. I simply couldn't do it.

As I've walked through this interesting time, I've often wondered about Jesus's time on earth and how he managed to do it. He spent every part of his day doing the will of God. Loving others, healing, washing feet, feeding the hungry, releasing demons, spirits and sin. He served. Sun up to sun down. He served.

"As slaves to Christ do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people". -Eph 6:6-7

I quickly realized, once again, my intense need and dependency upon God. There was NO way I could do all that was placed before me. I needed God to direct my path and bring some order. Thankfully He did provide that through some other amazing believers but it wasn't until I freaked out and cried out for help that there was a response.

I continue to see how my daily life is a preparation for what's to come. Within a few months we'll be in an unfamiliar land fulfilling the needs of many. We'll be challenged, daily, to be less concerned with our own needs, wants, desires and selves and be fully occupied with the desperate needs of those God surrounds us with. The ONLY way we'll be able to walk in this humble role of servanthood is to love others MORE than ourselves and have a fully committed love for Christ that will be evident in every interaction we have! I have a lot to learn. I have much growing to do. I accept the challenge as I believe in the beauty of God's grasp on my life! Scary as it is, my life was made for praising the one who's name is HOLY. That is a calling I hope to NEVER exhaust from!

eJOURNEY

2010-03-02T21:08:00.000+07:00

Good morning!

Click on the link below to catch our February newsletter~ Lots of wonderful things going on to share! Thanks for joining our journey! Blessings to you and your families!

Beth, Brett and crew

http://web.me.com/brettclark3/eJOURNEY/Clark_eJOURNEY/Clark_eJOURNEY.html

Savings Account

2010-02-28T12:33:00.001+07:00

"HE IS NO FOOL WHO GIVES WHAT HE CANNOT KEEP TO GAIN WHAT HE CANNOT LOSE"

-JIM ELLIOT (martyred to the Auca Indians in 1956)

I used to be a firm believer in savings. Save for school, save for retirement, save for our kids school, save for a new car, save for a house, save for new this, new that, have an emergency fund, etc. It's something I have always worried about. Brett and I have always seemed to struggle with keeping money in a savings account. Not because we can't manage money, but because we seem to always spend. On what??? Well, I'd like to say we've always made wise choices with our purchases over the years, but of course we have a tremendous list of horrible financial choices we've made in our 12+ years of marriage. We have attended financial planning seminars, we've read books on getting out of debt (we're debt free) and we've made budget after budget. We've always made a plan to save, but somewhere along the lines of what WE'VE planned, our "savings" has been wiped out. I think it's imperative to be a good steward of all God's given us, and that's something we take very seriously. Especially now as we raise our monthly support, we are very conscious of how we spend and what we spend money on! We want to be good stewards of ALL God provides for us. Recently, God revealed some truth to me in regards to saving-

As I wrote a while back, Brett and I, along with our 3 kiddo's, have adopted a refugee family from Burma. We'll be taking care of this family of 5 for as long as we are in Atlanta. They are just precious and have come to this country with next to nothing. World relief has set them up in an apartment with basic furnishings, but other than that they just don't have much. We meet with them weekly and help them anyway we can. They've been here for 3 weeks, they speak very little english and they've just been though a HUGE life change. It's very humbling to even have the opportunity to befriend them! The first week we met with them, we asked if they needed anything, and we were surprised at the list! Yes they had needs! They needed blankets and comforters for their cold beds. They needed coats and hats for their kids, and warm clothes. They needed a baby stroller and rice cooker, etc. Brett and I had extra money this particular week b/c God provided an opportunity for Brett to do some extra work. Our intent was to hold on to the money for "savings" just to have something to fall back on (isn't that God's job???)-it felt nice knowing we had a little cushion! However, when we were looking at this family and seeing the many things they were in need of, there was no question about it! We were to take them shopping and get whatever we could to help them out. We did JUST that and it was awesome! Now, please don't hear me boasting about this. I want to take zero credit for any of this. It was God who supplied the money and it was the holy spirit who revealed the need! Brett and I said "yes" and did what we were asked to do! We saved all right. We saved a family from the cold in the middle of a harsh winter. We saved 3 children from getting sick b/c they didn't have proper clothes to keep them warm. We saved a young Mother from having to carry her 1 1/2 year old everywhere she goes. We didn't gain a financial reward, but the reward we gained is far better! Every extra cent we had was spent on this family ( and then some) and our kids were able to experience all of it! They were able to participate in serving and helping this family!!! That to me is the richest, fullest savings account one could ever have!! What God was teaching me in this moment is that if he supplies it, we should be ready to give it all away! And then, we get to trust Him for every part of what we don't have. It's amazing, really. He's always looking out for our very best!

This precious family who has so little has already taught me so much about loving and giving. Though they have next to nothing, in our time with them recently they brought to their table a plate of grapes, a box of donuts, coffee and warm milk. They offered us whatever they had. They poured it out for us without worry of what they were "losing". This reminds me of the story in scripture of the woman who poured her very expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. Some of the spiritual leaders thought she was crazy b/c she could have sold that perfume for a lot of money. She didn't care. She poured it all over the feet of Jesus, not measuring her offering but measuring the worth of Christ! She poured it all out and trusted Christ to replenish her "account". That's how I believe God desires us to live. To wipe out our accounts month after month b/c we've poured it onto the lives of so many who are in need, trusting and believing that our account will continue to have what we need! He shows us this faithfulness constantly. He provided Manna daily for the Israelites. He will meet everyone of our needs! How much are we willing to truly trust him with??? What is He possibly asking you to let go of and pour over someone??? Are you holding onto an account b/c you fear tomorrow? I encourage you to just stop and ask God what HIS plan is for the money He's allowed YOU to watch over for HIM! None of it belongs to us. It's all for Him!

Sweet blessing: Brett and I have been giving away all we can whenever we can. Not to get credit or to share with you how good we think we are. Please know my heart. We take credit for none of this. We are motivated by Christ, and NONE of what we have is ours to keep! If God says save it, we'll save it. If God says give it away, we'll give it away. The point I'm trying to make is that we need to be willing to do what God says when He says is, without questioning or worrying about the outcome! He really will supply the need!

We've wanted to take our kids to the Atlanta Aquarium. We've heard it's amazing and would lOVE to give them that opportunity while we're in the states. However, it's V.E.R.Y. expensive and just something we could never do. Tonight, God replenished our "account". A sweet friend of ours handed me a $100.00 bill tonight and told us to take our kids to the Aquarium. No question asked. She wanted us to experience it. We emptied what we had, and God immediately gave it back so we can go do something for US. Isn't that amazing!!! It's so worth it to just give it all away!!!!

CLARK'S COFFEE HOUSE

2010-01-30T12:24:00.000+07:00

Those of you who know Brett and I well, understand our love for coffee. It's one of our favorite things and we are SOOO excited to tell you all about our online coffee store! As you know, we're only months away from leaving the states and heading to Thailand, indefinitely. We've continued to walk by faith and God has continually proven his faithfulness month after month. We're currently living on monthly suport from many faithful supporters, and we believe God for EVERY cent we need to live on! This online store is allowing us to raise additional funds for our plane tickets, which will cost roughly $7,000.

JUSTLOVECOFFEE.com is an amazing ministry set up to help people like us (missionaries and families adopting) raise the money they need by selling something most people love! By going to our online store and purchasing a pound of coffee, you will add $5.00 to our plane ticket fund! We have zero cost involved and this ministry takes care of the product line, roasting, shipping, packaging, pricing, etc. All we do is set up our store and sell! The coffee is REALLY REALLY GOOD and the cause is even better.

SO, check out our store. Tell ALL of your friends and buy a pound of coffee. Volume is huge so we really appreciate your help in spreading the word and assisting us in directing people to our store!

http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheClarks

The Search

2010-01-28T20:45:00.000+07:00

In my quite time this morning the Lord has lead me to many scriptures that are satisfying my appetite to further understand this placement of anger in my life! I can only assume (or hope) that there are other mothers's and perhaps missionary Mom's who have experienced this. Fighting the mundane of each day to find the true treasure in why we do what we do. I have to believe God has released me to be transparent with my struggles for accountability, and with that, perhaps someone out there might find comfort in knowing I'm just another flawed -but faithful- child of God believing HIM for everything, including transforming me into a new person!

"Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" Rom 12:2

As I wrote in my previous post, one of my greatest struggles (more like a thorn in my side) is having a quick reactionary mode. Usually, it's when I'm home with the kids and we're trying to do school. Having 3 young kids at different stages of growth and development is challenging enough, but then when I carry the weight of properly educating (whatever that means) and esteeming them-I fall short. SO-in my quest for answers I'll share what our sweet Lord has revealed to me thus far:

First-I continuously doubt this calling. I have believed that I am NOT a good homeschooling mother. I have believed that my kids would be MUCH BETTER suited going to school full time (which is not even an option). I have believed that I'm messing them up and harming their character and esteem. I've believed lie after life which then causes me to flip out when they do what kids do; test, challenge and disobey (don't we ALL). The thing is-the only reason I'm in this place is because God has CALLED me here. He has put us on a journey where homeschooling was inevitable. He has designed our life to be full of challenges and testings as a PREPARATION for where He's ultimately sending us.
Today, I shift my thinking. The more lies I believe the more stuck I become and the less effective I will be. Bottom line, in the depth of who I am, I can honestly say I LOVE being home with our kids everyday. If that were to ever change I would be devastated. I LOVE the challenge of teaching them and learning about who they are. It is a gift and treasure to have this time with them and I repent for every negative thought and word I've spoken about it. I'm humbled that God trusts me with their precious lives, which is why I declare today a new day with new thinking! God's mercies are new each day, so very thankful for that!

Here are the verses I cling to this day: Galations 5:16-18

"So I say, let the Holy spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the low of moses"(NLT)

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? (The message)

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear; sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these......but the holy spirit produces this kind of fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (gal 5: 19-22)

(when you feel that little sting as you read the desires of sinful nature, take that as a BIG CLUE that the Lord is speaking to you regarding where He wants to do a mighty work!)

Today, I choose to live by the spirit. LIke anything else, I have the choice to respond in love. I have the choice to respond in kindness and gentle instruction. I have the choice to stay stuck, or release my sinful nature into the arms of a living God who waits for me to nail this "old sinful nature" to the cross. My sins have been buried and crucified with Christ, just as yours have been so I choose to walk in the freedom of the resurrection. I choose the fruit of the spirit!!

Gal 2:20-I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

PRAISES TO THE KING!