God has a Plan

From holding babies and changing diapers in an orphanage, to puppet shows and skits to music, Team EPIC-ER from Tennessee did it all.  We were touched by the ways God used all of us during their short stay here in Thailand.  There are so many stories that we could share about what God did over that 7 day period, but one story put us in awe and amazement at God's perfect timing.  

"God has a plan."  That was the message for the evening at Pha Dang Church.  With any good message is a personal story that goes along with the message to help bring the point home.  Our friend shared a story of a family of 7 or 8 people that was traveling together and had gotten in a car accident.  There was only one survivor.    What was God's plan?   We may not know or understand His plan, but we still believe there is one.

At the end of the message a husband and wife were brought forward to receive prayer.  We could see on their faces, expressions that spoke a thousand words.  They were lost, filled with agony and pain.  With tears streaming down their faces the pastor shared their story.

Their son had been doing drugs for some time and in order to support his habit, started stealing from the community.  Friends and neighbors were becoming outraged with this family and the parents were frustrated and angry.  The boy's mom confronted her son about his stealing and scolded him harshly.   The boy (13 years old) then went and took his own life.

Horrified, the mother questioned and blamed herself. 

How do you comfort someone that has experienced this kind of pain and grief.  What could we possibly say?

In a way like no other, God provided the words of comfort that were so desperately needed.  Lovingly encouraged by another team member, a lady from our team stepped forward to share.  She too had experienced this same pain and understood what they were going through.  She had lost a child at a young age and had experienced the same kind of grief.  Our friend shared how God is the only one that can help them through this.  It is through His word and His love that they can overcome such heartache.  

"The pain never fully leaves, but if you allow God to help you though, things will get better". 

After praying for the couple, ministry went on.  There were puppets, skits and dances set to music.  At the end of the evening, the service was closed with a song that involved a lot of dancing with arm movements. 

At the back of the room we noticed the couple.    They were jumping and dancing with everyone else.  There were no longer tears of sorrow, but joy, PURE joy.

We do not know what God's plan is in the loss of a life, but one thing we know for sure is God had a plan for that evening.  His plan was to bring comfort to a couple who had experienced excruciating tragedy.  He wanted that couple to know that He loves them, is there for them and that He will help them through. 

Thank you God, for your perfect timing and words of comfort in times of need.

Jeremiah 31:13

New International Version (NIV)

13 "Then young women will dance and be glad,

    young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

    I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

Help for the Poor

One doctor + 3 nurses + 2 volunteers = 6 hearts of GOLD!   Even though this was our first medical outreach since arriving on the field and had no idea what we were doing, we knew that God would be faithful to use us as long as we were willing.  Would the people get the message we were coming?  Would they come?  What would their needs be?  As the time approached, we knew that we had done all we could to plan and prepare for the team  and now, we would have to leave the rest to God.

When our medical team arrived early the first day, we were overwhelmed by the numbers of people already standing in line.  They were there hours before we were scheduled to open the clinic.  We scrambled to get things set up and ready so there wait would be as short as possible.

There were so many of them with a wide range of needs, but there was one child in particular that stood out that day.  This child had a rash all over his body with sores that were oozing and bleeding.  The frustration and pain was evident on his and his parents faces.   They hadn't been to a doctor.  It is too far and expensive for their family.  The child and his sister who had the same rash was forced to suffer with the constant pain and itching.   You could see the sadness on the faces of the nurses and doctor as they saw cases such as these, that were so easy to fix, yet go untreated because of location and financial inability. 

What a blessing it was that day to see our medical staff professionally calm those who were suffering and bring a smile to the faces of those who were so grateful to finally receive some medical attention.  They saw patients who were sick with the flu, had tumors, blindness, foot conditions, boils, I could go on.  Many of them they were only able to comfort with their words and give them something that would help them get a good nights sleep that they hadn't gotten in years, while others received the medication that they needed in order to receive the relief they had been so desperately needed.  The best thing of all, all of them that were willing, received the gift of prayer and a smile.    

So what happened to the boy you ask?  Two weeks later, we were ministering in the same Ahka village with a Childrens team.  The boy and his parents came forward with a testimony of God's goodness and how He had healed their two children.  There was no sign of rash on their kids and they were all beaming from ear to ear.  Was it a miracle - or medicine?  Does it matter?  God touched that boy and his family that day.  They are changed.  They LOVE God and are giving HIM all the glory...and isn't that what really matters!  THAT's why we do what we do!!!

Time

As we prepared for Team EPIC to arrive, we proceeded as usual, with very few obstacles.   Little did we know, opposition for the project had been quietly growing momentum in the village.  Just days before the team was to arrive,  a meeting of the village elders put the new church project at a halt and we were left scrambling, racing to prepare a new project for the team. It isn't difficult to find projects to do here in Thailand - there is always a need.  The problem we faced was time.  

What project could we pull together with such a short period of time?  Would there be enough funds?  What is the biggest need?  Question, questions and more questions filled our heads.  As we put the need before God, one thing became perfectly clear.  He is in control and it will all come together in a way that only He can do.

There was no time to get proper paperwork filed, or building materials for a larger project in this short of time. There is one project that had been requested, but just seemed small and insignificant.  We really had no other options.  But for the church in Pha Dang, a security wall was not small or insignificant.  In Thailand, all businesses, churches and homes are surrounded by a fence of some sort.  It is something that protects the property, establishes boundaries,  as well as makes it look and feel complete. 

The church in Pha Dang was started about 18 years ago by an 18 year old young man who used to drive his scooter 40 minutes each Sunday  in order to share the gospel to this little Ahka village lying near the hills, south of Chiang Rai.   Since then, the church was turned over to a wonderful lady, Pastor Dao.  It is now a thriving Christian community.  In the time that she has been there, Pastor Dao has raised the funds to completely repair and update the building that has been standing for many, many years, but were unable to come up with the funds to build the wall.

The TN team came with tools, funds for materials, open hearts and a willingness to serve.    As the team arrived at the church, we found the congregation were already at the site preparing the ground.   These villagers do not have much money, but they have an amazing work ethic.  This was their church, and they weren't going to sit and watch others come in and do what they could do them selves.   This community was so touched that a little church in Tennessee would care so much for them and their community, that they would fly around the world to help them.   It was beautiful to watch everyone come together and work side by side, sweating, laughing and smiling, to complete this wall.  

This wall in Pha Dang was only one of the projects that this team worked on while here in Thailand, and it only took a couple of days to build, but the memory of how God moved and touched all of our lives will remain in our hearts forever.  Thank you TEAM EPIC!!!

Nathaniel's Graduation Slideshow