MY EYES WERE BIGGER THAN MY STOMACH

Remember how I said we've just had our friends Jason and Paulina Smith here to visit?  Well, I asked Jason if he'd be a guest blogger and share some of his thoughts about their trip.  

Thanks Jason.  When I read what you wrote I was sincerely humbled by your kind words. 

Here's what he had to say:

In the weeks leading up to our planned trip to Thailand, my expectations of experiencing a defining moment were growing. It sounds sensationalised – but that’s how I felt. It is a rare occasion for Paulina and I to leave our 3 boys with trusted grandparents, take a week out of our otherwise compressed schedules, travel to an unknown culture through 24 hours of flight time and transit, and defer other opportunities to be there. Why wouldn’t we posture ourselves for something significant to happen?

As the rubber smoked on the landing gear of our budget Airbus A320, and the humidity and torrential rains of Chiang Mai welcomed us forward, it felt like my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I wasn’t to know the full impact of what we were about to see, experience and feel – and days after our return I am still digesting it all!  Whilst I am not just referring to the physical indulgence of the culinary pleasures Thailand has to offer, there was certainly that also. We ate more pork sticks, green curry, pad Thai, sticky rice and sweet roti than my training diet really could afford. The food was great, but the ‘excess baggage” we were nearly charged coming home, was a little embarrassing.
More significantly, but not surprising, was the inspiration we found in doing family life with the Crosses. Having already journeyed some time at home in Australia with this remarkable couple, and with already a heartfelt admiration for their enduring integrity, this week revealed to us a whole new level of maturity and resilience on show. I felt personally challenged and incredibly excited to see a ‘peer’ family surrendered so fully to their life assignment, and truly serving God. The way David and Andie balance the competing tensions of compassionate ministry, tireless service, determined parenting and personal submission revealed both God’s sovereign grace and their internal fortitude. It’s rare to have this much admiration and respect for your own peers, as these feelings are more often reserved for those who are greater in years to you.
To get a glimpse into the world of ZOE and be exposed to the tragedies and some individual stories of those who have suffered through human trafficking, was at times too much to bear. In the quietness of the evenings, when the cogs of reflection could turn undistracted from the events of the day, it was deeply impacting to ‘unpack’ what we learned. The trading of human souls and the abuse that flows from this constitutes a global crisis that demands attention. I feel like the raw emotion of what we saw is still largely ‘unprocessed’ in my heart and remains something for us yet to reconcile with God and ‘knowing’ people like the Crosses. The burden to play some part in bringing relief and protection to the little ones who are victims of these heinous activities, is definitely one of the keepsakes we bring home from our trip.
The other remarkable experience where our eyes were pried wide open was in discovering and appreciating the journeys of how the different missionary’s lives have converged and united for the ZOE assignment. Story after story of otherwise ‘normal’ western routine, captured by careers, comfortable in suburbia, serving in churches and all loving Jesus…and then at some point having their lives ‘arrested’ and enlisted into the mission of saving children in Thailand. As Carol Hart, cofounder of ZOE, passionately reminisced of the time she heard God’s call to her: “Hear my Cries, Love my children”. Each family represented on the ZOE team were in their own distinct and unique ways a personal affront to the life of mediocrity I feel I can sometimes slip into.
The people we met – those of ZOE, the Thai staff, and the children themselves – are remarkable examples of the very rare blend of attributes that makes one truly significant. It’s the equal portions of humility and intense resolve that keep them positioned and effective.
In Thailand, we rode elephants, visited remote villages, attended church outreaches, shared at the ZOE business school, walked the night markets and unnaturally got twisted out of shape by well-meaning Thai masseurs. They were all welcomed experiences with memorable aspects. None of them could be described as ‘defining’. However, hearing God’s voice with a Thai accent and discovering the articulate and strategic vision of ZOE to reach hurting children certainly had the life impact we were expecting.
What remains for our family is the decision of how we rise to the challenge that has been presented to us. What do we do with what we have seen? Our eyes are not blind, and our hearts are not shielded any longer. The richness of the experience compels us to change. Each person stands to make a unique contribution – not one effort being exactly the same. Different assignments; different missions; but equal obedience.

God, please don’t narrow my eyes, enlarge my stomach!

Is there an issue, or cause, that has been brought to your attention lately?
What's being placed in front of you right now which demands a response? Please share!

Evergreen Short Term Team

We have team here at the moment from Evergreen Baptist Church in the USA. 

I only got to meet the team for the first time last night which is kind-of sad since they seem like a really nice bunch of people and they leave tomorrow.  I am hoping to get back out to ZOE tonight, with our kids, to see them one final time before their departure.

I find it encouraging to learn what 'short term teamers' get out of their trip as well as hearing how some of them get to be here. 

When I meet these teams, it reminds me also of our journey to get to be here and the amazing way that God orchestrates situations, bringing everything together for His purpose. 

I was honored to sit with Pam Noritake at the traditional Thai dinner restaurant last night.  It was so wonderful to share some conversations with her and also enjoy a couple of laughs.  Despite coming from totally different parts of the world, we actually had quite a lot in common.
Here's what Pam recently wrote about just a day after being here in Thailand:

We’ve only been in Thailand for slightly over 24 hours and God has already revealed what breaks his heart.  As short term missionaries, we blow in, blow up and blow out...but to see what breaks God’s heart will stay with us for a lifetime.  Our desire is to share this “burden” with you our family, friends and supporters so we can understand more of who He is and why we’re here.

 Last night as we were adjusting to our jet-lag, we saw a child on the streets who had fallen victim of a beggar’s ring where the child was drugged until she was unconscious.  As this child is lying on her “mom’s” lap, the woman was actively asking for money and portraying herself as being homeless. As we walked passed them and rounded the corner to where we’re staying, we saw a little boy with his sibling also on the streets with their mother.  This second scene was different.  This truly homeless mom was taking care of her children and not asking for money.  The poor and vulnerable have a real need here in Thailand and yet there are those who will use this need to fulfill their own greed.

Seeing what breaks God’s heart first hand gives us such a better understanding how to fight human trafficking.  He commands us in Matthew 12:29 to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” We want to help those who have fallen victim to human trafficking so that they may find rest in Jesus. This fight is vast and dangerous…being here, seeing with our own eyes can be overwhelming. This “burden” is not impossible with God.  He promises in the same breath in the following verse:  “for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Our team is here to do all we can that is humanly possible and then God will do what is impossible!

I want to say a big "thank-you" to the Evergreen team.  Thanks for your encouragement to the missionaries, willingness to serve and for your commitment to keep Thailand in your heart and prayers.  Bless you guys!
Andie :) 


And I thought I re-post this old video of a short term team here about a year ago.  I can't believe how little Tobi and Eli look! 

Camp Update- By Jessica Dodd

Jessica Dodd, (ZOE Children’s Ministry Director) and the Kidz Ministry team are the backbone of the camp program run throughout the ZOE children’s school break.  I have taken this excerpt from her blog.  Have a read and see what she has to say: 

Well, we are half way through camp, and let me tell you all – it is fabulous!

I come in to ZOE an hour before Camp starts every day to get ready and the kids are waiting for me! It seems that Camp can’t start soon enough for them. They are so excited to come to camp because it’s different everyday. All of the missionaries that are involved are so talented and creative. Each of them have their own unique way of teaching the ZOE kids and engaging them in various activities.

Michelle Brekhus and Denise Tang are a fun team. Both were teachers in their previous life (before ZOE) and have a plethora of tricks up their sleeves. They are in charge of Music and Crafts for each continent taught. They teach our kids about a certain country – teach them a dance made famous in that country – have our kids listen to the music  and then finish off with a fantastic craft.

Dave Cross has renewed his role as “Craziest Camp Leader” this year. He has chosen Sports as his subject to teach. So far we have learned how to play Baseball, how to race Cars and how to play Golf. With stations that rotate every 10 minutes or so, our kids are exposed to so many different activities. I can literally hear their screams from one activity to the next! Dave and his wife Andrea are also crucial in helping decorate our camp room.

We turned the grassy area at ZOE in to a mini golf course
and used blue pipe to make three different sized golf clubs.

Ron and Cissy Boyer (the newest couple to our ZOE family) are a gift from God above. They love our kids and are passionate about being a part of this camp experience. Ron leads Games with our kids, focusing on the different games that kids play from around the world. Our kids enjoy learning new games. Ron is a big kid himself and our kids are drawn to him. Cissy, his wife, teaches our kids cooking every Thursday. Cissy and her family had restaurants for 16 years so she comes with experience. The kids love love love cooking day with Cissy. They’ve baked Apple Pies, they have made Cheese Quesadillas, Homemade Salsa, and decorated Gingerbread men.

Grace and Milk (2 of our staff here at ZOE) are also such a great help. Grace has helped me plan Camp from the start and is responsible for many of the great ideas. She is very creative and has a passion for children. Milk is our resident teacher here at ZOE and oversees Reading Time with our ZOE kids.

I know that this sounds like a ton of fun, and it is, but I don’t want to forget to tell you about what this camp is really about – getting missions into the hearts of our kids. Every morning I take a hour or so and teach them about what the Bible says about missions – telling others about Jesus. We talk about different missionaries from all over the world, their struggles and their triumphs. The kids take time every day in prayer, praying over these countries and their people who need to hear about God.

A golf "warm-up" activity. I'm not sure who had more fun, Dave or the kids!

Simple Pleasures

You know those months when there seems to be a thousand things that have happened and you sit back and think …. my goodness there has been a lot on!

Well that sums up many of the months at the ZOE Children’s Home!

New children have been rescued, new ZOE parents have been hired, the water filtration system has been completed, our pig farm is coming along nicely (and I have helped eat a few of them too –yum!), plus hosting guests that have come to ZOE, conducting training for the staff … the list goes on!

Recently ZOE initiated a child sponsorship program to allow people to partner with the Children’s Home and assist us as we care for the orphans and children who were rescued from or at risk of human trafficking.   I have the privilege of getting together with each of the kids and asking them how they are feeling, what special moments they have enjoyed over the past couple of months and finding out any highlights or accolades that they have achieved.

For me this process has become such a wonderful time of encouragement.  The overwhelming things that stand out to me as I sit and listen to the children talk and reflect on how they felt about the last few months, is how happy they are!  For many of the kids, the thing they said they were proud of was being able to hand wash their own clothes, or being good at helping clean their room or family area.  They take such pride in their home, they take such joy in completing tasks that benefit those around them and they celebrate each other’s achievement along the way.

Coming from Australia and having been bombarded over the years with advertising to make us think we need to spend money on gismos that make us feel better, stands in contrast with living in Northern Thailand and not seeing any television or viewing advertisements!

What has happened for me is that I have begun to take more pleasure in the ‘simple’ joys of life.  I’m trying not to be worried about getting the next thing, but learning (very slowly) to be content with what I have and to keep looking for someone else to help, who really could just use a bit of a hand.

As I look over my notes from the interviews, most of the kids are not happy because of what they have, but they are excited about what they can do.

We feel blessed to be here.

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to those that have been supporting our family in the work we are doing at the ZOE Children’s Home.  All the ZOE kids are experiencing the joy of being in a home that is safe and we are privileged to be working alongside the staff here to make ZOE a fun place to be!

I hope you also find some joy and pleasure in some of the ‘simpler’ things in life.

David

Guest Blogger: Marlane Cross

We said goodbye to “Nanny and Grandy” today at the airport.  

Thank you for visiting us and for celebrating Christmas here in Thailand.

Here’s what Dave’s mum had to say about her trip:

What a joy for Darryl and I to have almost the whole month of December with David, Andrea, Tobiah, Eliana and Spencer in Thailand.

The first 10 days was spent at the Juniper Tree –a respite/holiday venue for missionary families.

This was a special time of blessing as we shared in the journeys  of other workers in Asia, as they served in Laos, Cambodia, Korea, India and China.  Three of the families had come to Chiang Mai to await the birth of their next baby.

Whilst seeing our family again, visiting their home and learning more about the work at ZOE was the major reason for the journey, we also came to celebrate three birthdays; Eliana’s, mine and, the most important birthday of them all, Jesus.  

The children had participated in the lead up to Christmas day with a daily portion of the narrative and a treat from their advent calendars. At last the final pocket was empty.  On Christmas morning, David reminded us that God had given us the greatest gift of all in His son.  Now it was our turn to share the love by giving and receiving presents. What fun that was!

A couple of days before Christmas some of the ZOE team were able to distribute a gift (that was provided by an overseas donor) of 2000 pairs of shoes.   The ZOE children loved to receive these new shoes and were just as excited to help with the distribution as they gave shoes to children in surrounding children’s homes and schools.    (We’ll blog more about this soon)

In some ways it has seemed surreal celebrating Christmas in Thailand. All the shops are open, even a friend of David and Andrea’s had 4 examinations for her teaching course on the 25th.   Some of the hotels and shopping centers are playing Christmas carols, advertising special lunches and displaying decorated tree and snowmen!  Although it is winter here, I think the snowmen would melt very quickly in the 28-32 degree heat!

Despite this display of western commercialism, the fact remains that Jesus is the reason for the season. We, who have accepted the gift of God’s Son, celebrate with thankful hearts and stand in awe of His great love that is poured out for all humanity.

                Marlane

Saying 'goodbye' at the airport.

Feel The Power ~ by Dave

It’s a funny thing electricity.  It has become a part of my life that I take it for granted.  If I walk into a dark room, I flick the switch and “click”, the light goes on.  

The new ZOE Children’s Home is a great place.  The home is settled in amongst the mountains.  Though we have electricity, we are at the end of the line.  ZOE had the lines extended into the area where our children’s home is located.

The disadvantage of being at the end of the line is that if there is a power outage at any point on the line….we lose power.   During the current wet season (still 30 degrees -but with rain), this has occurred a number of times.   

All of a sudden the heavens open and the volume of water that falls in the space of an hour is quite unbelievable.  As soon as there is one of these significant downpours (in Australia we would call  it ‘flash flooding’) then we lose power.

When we lose power, we have been able to run some of our services with the use of a generator but often have to reschedule things. Generally when the electricity goes out it is just for 4 to 6 hours, however, last Wednesday night the electricity went down and it was not back on by the morning. So when I went to work at ZOE on Thursday there was still no electricity.  It was then that I realised just how used to having power at my disposal I had become.  

We were making a promotional video for the upcoming ZOE Children’s Camp on Thursday, so when I needed some more light for one of the shots, as the room was too dark, I automatically went and got a lamp and plugged it in! Some time later I was in need of a coffee so I put the coffee and sugar in my cup, and then went to the water heater and filled my cup with lukewarm/cold water!  Ahhh that’s right, water heaters and lamps use electricity!!!  

You may remember our last camp.  We run camp when the ZOE kids are on school holidays. The theme for the October camp is SPY KIDS.  So one advantage of not having any lighting was that it created the prefect ‘spy’ ambience as we filmed.

We filmed it with my Flip video recorder (donated by Ben), and edited in a couple of hours…. I had to get it edited before my laptop battery ran out!

(video below)

Camp is shaping up well!  I will write more about it as it evolves.

On the home front, we are thoroughly enjoying having Mel (Andie’s sister) stay with us.  Andrea apologizes for her lack of blogging. As you can imagine, she has been busy showing her sister the sites of Chiang Mai and doing A LOT OF TALKING!  Stay tuned- she promises she’ll write more soon.

David

SAME, SAME

Guest Blogger: Mel Hynes

Spending 2 weeks in Thailand with the Cross family has been such an amazing privilege which I will treasure for years to come. I have experienced a great mix of both playing the “tourist” as well as pretending to be a local, from a visit to the elephants to watching a local high school volleyball game. 

So I arrived last Friday night curious and a little unsure as to how different their new life in Thailand would be. I was quite amazed at first, at how familiar it all felt to me but of course I continued to enjoy finding all the things that were quite different to the Aussie way!

One of the quirky highlights of my holiday would have to be the way the Thai people would look from Andie to me then point and say “SAME SAME!” They seemed to find a lot of humor in the fact that we looked similar and would often repeat this over and over.

These words got me thinking. While there have been a lot of unusual, unique and wonderful things I have discovered while being in Thailand (hot banana waffles for instance), I have also had the privilege of experiencing a lot of “SAME SAME” while I have been here which I would like to share with you.

The Crossies have definitely made their house a ‘home’ just as their house was always a ‘home’ in Australia. I have loved feeling this same warmth, love and spirit of their new home while I have been living here. I had wondered how I would cope with missing my own family while I visited but this definitely felt like I was in a home away from home.

‘Friends’ also spring to my mind when I think “SAME SAME”. The Crossies new friends that I have met while being here seem really beautiful not unlike their close Australian friends.  Sharing Tobi’s 5th birthday celebrations alongside these new friends was a great opportunity to see how God has provided and will continue to provide for this special family.

And my experience of “SAME SAME” does not end here. The issues of daily family life were also very similar to my own life with young children... squabbles, cuddles, tears, kinder drop offs, pickups and lots of lots of wiping up spilt messes from the floor!!! What a treat to have an opportunity to live with the Crossies and see that while so many things may have changed when they moved, they continue to foster an intentional, loving, God-filled, happy family life with their three beautiful children. 

I’ve saved the best “SAME SAME” for last…heart. Over the years I have had lots of great chats with Dave and Andie about values, beliefs, aspirations, growth, challenges, direction and God’s overwhelming love.  This trip allowed me the opportunity to be able to share my heart and listen to theirs, something that I have painfully missed over the past 8 months.  I feel so very blessed to have had this time with my incredible sister, brother-in law and gorgeous little nephews and niece. 

I started this by saying that this experience has been one, which I will treasure for years to come, and I really meant it.  I have enjoyed seeing the differences, I have loved experiencing the SAME SAME, and I now appreciate that I will not go home the same. Change is part of all of our lives and while it can be very painful I’ve just had a lesson in how it can also bring great joy!

Luv you guys, thanks for everything!

Smiles, Mel

AND YES ANDIE, YOUR COFFEES ARE THE GREATEST IN ALL THE WORLD!

Guest Blogger: Gary Lewis

"LIVING STONES"

Throughout history and in many cultures, stones and rocks have been used as markers. Markers of significance used to identify a location for direction along a journey, as a place of remembrance or even as a place of worship. The Bible is pocketed with many such markers.

Last week Maree and I had the great privilege of visiting our daughter Andrea, her husband David and their three children Tobiah, Eliana and Spencer in Thailand. This trip was significant not just because it was our first overseas experience, but also because we were their first visitors from Australia.

I have long found that the use of stones and pebbles to also be significant in my life as a symbol of remembrance, and so I was determined to make sure that as far as possible I would collect a pebble at many points along the way. 

For example: this stone was found at the place of the Mae Elephant Camp where we witnessed elephants being bathed by their trainers in the river … where we fed then bananas … where we saw them playing soccer … where we saw them painting … where Maree was cuddled by an elephant’s trunk and where we rode on the back of an elephant! What a wonderful experience to remember. It was also the place where Tobi and Eli held a snake around their necks.

The next pebble was found at the spot where we stopped to fix a rear-wheel blowout. Dave could not locate the key to the spare wheel and so he called one of the other missionaries who came to pick us all up. It was hot – and neither Dave or Andie knew the name of the road we were on or the locality. (They actually identify locations by ‘landmarks’ interestingly!) We were approached by some soldiers who seemed amused at these westerners’ plight. We used various objects as safety markers on the (fortunately not so busy) road as many Tuk-Tuks,  Songthaews and motor scooters passed by — their drivers and passengers seemed also intrigued as we stood on the side of the road.

The third pebble was picked up at the site of new ZOE Children's Home construction site. After we had visited the current ZOE premises the day before and saw first hand some of the work being done for the sake of these precious children; this pebble holds great significance —symbolising not just the construction of a new building, but the expansion of a wonderful ministry ‘…to the least of these …’

These rocks / pebbles / stones — whatever term you prefer (as well as the others I collected) are also symbolic of Dave, Andie and their children. As the Apostle Peter says‘…living stones …’ (1 Peter 2:5-11) ‘being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood … as aliens and strangers … that they may see your good deeds and glorify God …’

Maree and I were blessed over and again by the beauty and colour of the land – its fruit and its flowers and the friendliness and politeness of the people. But most significant of all by the privilege of sharing this marker in time with the Cross family.

Gary Lewis