When It's Time to Fight

We recently attended an Anzac Day dawn service.  As our pastor spoke (an ex-soldier) he shared a story about how a mate of his, a few years older than him, had been sent off to the Vietnam war.  
Still too young to go himself, he reflected on the moment when his friend threw himself over a land mine to protect his mates.  A sacrifice made and an example of the "Anzac spirit" which has been shown so many times since that First World War so many years ago.

He explained that although war is never wanted, there are times where we all need someone to rise up and protect us... to defend and stand up for what's right.  
There are times when a fight is needed to bring peace and justice.  
I personally don't really like thinking about war.  I don't even like hearing my children argue! I can't imagine what it is like for a mother, wife or sibling who loses their loved one at war.  
To a non-confrontational person like me, I'd rather just pretend that issues aren't there and hope that they go away by themselves.  

I love peace.  I love it when our house is peaceful.  
I love it when everyone is happy and getting along.

But what about when something unjust happens?
What about when I know that children as young as my own are being sold as slaves?
When kids are forced to work or sell their bodies or beg for money?
What then?
What about if something happens to one of my own children?
When these things happen, then… then… there is a battle!  
Then, it's time to fight.  
A fight for what's right!
Recently there's been times when the battles have been raging around me.  Really close.
During these times... when it's time to fight, there's some weapons I've found handy to have close by.

• Firstly my Bible.  It's full of the promises of God.  Its pages guide me, sustain me, encourage me, calm me, reassure me and speak peace into situations.

• Prayer.  My 24 hour hot-line.  Any time, any place.  I call out and He listens.
• Battle songs.  I plug my ear phones in and stomp around.  Claiming victory, peace, healing.  Sometimes when there is nothing else in me left to pray, I just hum or sing the promises of God.  Ultimately the battle is His and it's already been won.     

Here's a few of the "battle songs" playing on my i-pod right now.

If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.  

If it's time for you to fight for a relationship, a child, a resolution, a  financial breakthrough or any other issue you're facing right now then get your weapons out and stand your ground.

Open Up Our Eyes

"Stronger is the one who fights for us.  He will never fail."

"Our God is fighting for us always.  We are not alone."

Whom Shall I Fear?

"I know who goes before me.  I know who stands behind.  The God of Angel Armies is always by my side."

In Jesus' Name

"God is fighting for us, God is on our side"

Victor's Crown

"You are always fighting for us.  Heaven's angles all around."

"You're my help and my defender. You're my Saviour and my friend."

Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

An Adventure

If you didn't get to see this when we were back in Australia last year then....

Come on an adventure with us!

PS

If you couldn't catch all the words to that song "Human" by Natalie Grant, I have pasted them below:

Every life has a choice

To rise up to fill the void

Every heart has a mission

And we are called to be human

We gotta do better than this 

'cause we only got

One chance to make a difference

We gotta do better than this 
'cause we only got

One life that we've been given

A little love, a little kindness

A little light in this time of darkness

It'll be what makes us different

It'll be what makes us human

I'm human, you're human, we are human

We are marked with His image

And we are scarred with indifference

Maybe now we should listen

Hear the cry of God's children

We gotta do better than this 
'cause we only got

One chance to make a difference

We gotta do better than this 
'cause we only got

One life that we've been given

A little love, a little kindness

A little light in this time of darkness

It'll be what makes the difference

It'll be what makes us human

I'm human, you're human, we are

We are human

I'm human, you're human, we are

We are human

Gotta do better than this 
'cause I only got

One chance to make a difference

Gotta do better than this 
'cause I'm only just one
I'm human, you're human, we are

We are human

I'm human, you're human, we are

We are human

It'll be what makes the difference

It'll be what makes us human

Never EVER Too Young!

I sat at my computer feeling disheartened today. With close to 200 emails that needed attending to, whether to just be deleted or replied to; I just didn't know where to begin. 

I had a small window of opportunity while my youngest two had a "rest" {yeah, right} and the outcome ended up being fairy unsuccessful. 

As I sat staring at the screen, cursor hovering over the emails that needed the most urgent attention, my eyes fell upon an unopened email in my mailbox from a high school student back in Australia.
I opened it and began reading with interest:
We would like to say a huge thank-you for all the support you gave us as we ran the 'Love Life, Love ZOE' campaign.  This fundraiser has now reached it's conclusion, and we have received an impressive response. As well as raising money, we have also managed to raise an awareness of Human Trafficking in homegroups, and inspire students to continue fighting modern day slavery (through buying Fair Trade etc.).
We would like to say a huge thank-you for all the support you gave us as we ran the 'Love Life, Love ZOE' campaign.
Know that our prayers are with you, and we hope the money we have raised will make a difference in the lives of the children. Please use it where ever you feel led. We would love to see the money continuing your work at ZOE's and helping to rescue more children from human trafficking. (To see actual amount, see attached photo- we're clearly very excited about it!! )
We hope and pray the money will be able to touch many lives and make a huge difference :)
God bless you all, and keep up the good work!

 

Here's to a group of teenagers that will NOT be told they're too young to make a difference!  By the way the final amount they raised for the ZOE Children's Homes was a whopping $7459, just incase you missed the big signs they're holding up!  AMAZING!

What an extraordinary testament to their character and persistence. 

I love seeing and hearing examples of a generation who knows how to fight for what's right!
Flashing back, our visit to this school, on our last trip back to Australia, was the last 'event' that we had booked to speak at. We had left Spencer (our 2 year-old) at Dave's parent's house vomiting and we were leaving to fly back to Thailand the following day. 

After a month of appointments, speaking engagements, business meetings and catch-ups, Dave was particularly exhausted by this stage and I was praying hard for God's strength and energy for him as he spoke to the audience of a few hundred youth. 

After the presentation a couple of the girls approached us with their teacher and were eager to talk about how they could do some fundraising for ZOE. It was so inspiring to see their enthusiasm and passion.
After a few weeks of being back in Thailand, we received an email explaining how a small group of students had launched, what would be, a phenomenal fundraiser for ZOE.
Here's what they did:

At their weekly worship/prayer meeting at school, they committed their time to praying for the ZOE Children's Home.  

The meeting was advertised as "People Snatchers and a God who catches". It also advertised a free lunch (great tactic, I thought, for any hungry teens).  At the meeting, two students led an opening bracket of praise and prayer, followed by another student who spoke about her vision. They then showed a powerful 'anti - trafficking' DVD clip and then served each student that came a cup of warm rice to eat. (That was the 'free' lunch and was arranged to enable students to identify with others among the world's poor who have to make a range of difficult choices in order to merely survive). 

One of the students who has actually visited ZOE then talked about the ZOE Children's Home and gave a compelling talk to the other 60 - 70 students at the meeting. They also showed the "ZOE" promotional clip and broke up into smaller groups to pray for the children at ZOE's as well as the wider issue of orphans and human trafficking. 

They then went on to compete as home-rooms to see which group could collect the most 2 dollar coins= fundraising tubes and end up as the winning group!  What a great competition!

Thanks Maranatha!  You are just AMAZING!!!

I would also like to mention another school who, for the second year, collected two-dollar coins in the ZOE fundraising tubes.  Flinders Christian Community College outdid their huge effort from 2010 by raising {drumroll please} a massive $2257 this year!
And, I am talking about Prep- Grade 2 students now! WOW!

Don't you think their teachers are doing an incredible job of instilling in to these young minds and hearts how to show love and compassion for other children... children they've never even met?  Well, I do.  These two stories have left me with nothing else to say other than quoting these two verses:

Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."John 13:34 NIV

What do you think?  Have you got a word of encouragement for these children and teens?  If so, leave a comment and I'll be sure to pass it on.

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! 

Finishing Strong

Tobi's first day of school.

Tobi's last day of Prep

Our little boy Tobi, 5 years old, just finished Prep last week.  
Many of you may remember when he was born and it really has gone very quickly.

Thinking back to First Term (August last year) Dave and I wondered whether we’d made the right choice putting him in school as opposed to holding him back another year.  Would he cope being the youngest?  Would he adjust after so many changes?  
We had moved countries 7 months prior, visited Australia a few months earlier, moved him from a kindergarten that he loved and relocated ‘home’ again just the week before school commenced!

There he was, the smallest fish in the deepest of oceans and for the most part of that term, I would imagine that he probably felt very much out of his depth.  

From the start, there was the issue of left-handedness and now that ‘formal’ handwriting had begun, this proved very challenging for him.  There was also new teachers, new friends and a whole new way of life to cope with. 

You know, I think, deep-water experiences have the potential to either drown us or make us very strong swimmers!

And, as a parent, you just do your best.  You try to be supportive and understanding.  And, like in swimming, there are times where, as the stronger swimmer, your job is solely to keep your child afloat.

At other times, when they seem to be doing okay, you just stand on the side of the pool and you yell encouragement at the top of your voice.  But then there are also times when it’s just too much for them to keep swimming and so you wrap them up in a big fluffy towel and you pin their arms down and you just hug them so firmly that they know that everything is going to be okay, no matter what…

This week however, we watched as our little boy whose arms had been flapping and head had been bobbing just to stay afloat, finish his school year with strength, determination, strong strokes, a huge smile on his face and as someone who had conquered so many of his challenges and now has his eyes set on the next event… going in to Grade 1!

Last Monday I visited Tobi’s classroom to watch his class play and see the grade each receive an award from their teacher.  There was the art award, acting award, show and tell award… you get the picture, well I was so shocked when Tobi got his award for penmanship and for having the neatest handwriting that I almost forgot to click the button on the camera poised in my hand.  What a great lesson in never giving up!  I remember Tobi commenting to me mid year that he preferred the week-long standardised test-taking as opposed to doing handwriting!  But despite this, he would come home and color and draw and write and ask me to help him… and it finally paid off!  I couldn’t have been more proud.

Then on Wednesday, it was the elementary school concert.  Well after arriving early and securing front row seats, we were once again blown away by our boy.  He sung and danced his little heart out that morning and we sat there again just flawed!   It’s moments like this that you say, “Thank you God.  You brought him through.  You care about this little one more than I ever humanly could but I thank you for placing him in our family and choosing us to be his parents.  Please give us wisdom and strength as we raise all three of our precious children”.

We are really looking forward to coming back to Australia in a little over three weeks time.  We can’t wait to share with you some more of the stories that impact us here, that keep us on our knees in prayer and that increase our faith. 

We also can’t wait to hear what’s been happening in your life!  I can’t even begin to imagine how much all the little ones have grown in our absence as well as getting to meet many new little friends for the first time (so many of you have been busy growing your families this past year!)

I’ve attached a short movie of Tobi’s songs to finish… enjoy!

From one very proud and very biased mother LOL! 

PS You may've noticed the patch on Tobi's face... he fell off our swing set the weekend before his last week of school... a trip to the hospital but thankfully no stitches required!

PPS Just FYI, no, the uniform didn’t change mid- year, they have a mix and match uniform at Grace with a choice of navy or tan coloured shorts/ skirt as well as about 5 different coloured t-shirts.

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!

Dave@Hospital (For His Birthday)

Okay, now that I have your attention I will begin by saying, that the photo above was just a set-up, but it’s true ... we did go to hospital for Dave’s birthday!

Confused?  Well, remember Dave’s recent post, Simple Pleasures?  He wrote (about the ZOE children) ...

“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”.

Dave and I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  And asking, how do we encourage this type of thinking in our own three children?

So, this year, in an attempt to be consuming less and giving more; we decided to celebrate Dave’s birthday by using the money that we could’ve spent on presents, or going out somewhere, to buy ‘goodies’ and make bags to give away to sick children at one of the government hospitals here in Chiang mai.

After doing a big shop at Makro (like Cash and Carry) the other night, we set about stuffing bags full of treats and toys ready to hand out today.

Below is a video of our kids explaining how to make the bags- yes, it was a very organized process!

And so today we set off with forty something bags and 6 teddy bears (for the children in an intensive care unit).

What a joy it was to see the children’s little faces light up as we came around handing out the bags.  Even the parents of babies, or sleeping children sat up eagerly awaiting the arrival of their bag of treats.

There was no preparing our children for the hospital situation we took them to. Even as an adult, it was an overwhelming scenario to enter, but they did it! 

Mission accomplished!

And so at dinner tonight, when we asked our children to reflect on their day, they answered, “We were so proud of what we did to cheer up the children at the hospital today”.  

And you know what? We couldn’t be more proud either.  

Happy New Year!

Check out the short video below showing our rendition of the Wiggles, 

“Rock-a-bye Your Bear” performed on New Years Day 2011 at 

ZOE Children’s Home.

We’re four hours behind you all in Australia, but we’re in the New Year now and it feels GOOD!
The ZOE family spent New Years morning celebrating the start to 2011 with a time of thanksgiving followed by a talent show. After initially refusing the invitation to perform in the show, Dave managed to convince us all to get up and do something and, it was actually turned out to be a lot of fun.
We’ve nearly been here 12 months and so we thought it was about time we shared with the ZOE kids a little bit of Aussie culture... a song EVERY child in Australia knows... from a group born and bred Down Under... so we choose to perform as the Wiggles and sing Rock-a-bye Your Bear!
Watch our debut performance below... and then underneath there are some photos of the ZOE family performing their dances, skits and songs. Enjoy!

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION1

You could be forgiven for thinking that we we’ve been living in a war zone for the past few weeks (and I’m not referring to the sibling rivalry).
As the sun sets over Chiang Mai, the nightly explosions of fire crackers and fireworks begins! This is wonderful if you want to gaze out your bedroom window and watch the free show every night, however it has made getting to sleep a little bit harder with all the extra commotion!
The explosions have been so loud at times that it seemed like they were hitting our house. And then one night we realised that they were!! We looked out to see that a smoldering cracker, thrown from a house behind us, had landed on our deck roof! There are no restrictions here which makes it fun and a little scary all at the same time!
Thankfully, our kids have become so used to loud noises that by the time Loi Krathong (the Thai festival of lights) actually began, they enjoyed the amazing fireworks displays and neighbourhood crackers immensely. At one stage we even gathered with some of the missionaries in a clearing, near our house, and Dave got to let off his first fire cracker!! It was so loud but Eli slept peacefully through the whole thing in her car seat (car windows and doors all open).
Tobi had gone for a sleep over but Dave, Eli, Spencer and I ventured in to the Sunday walking market for some dinner and to see hundreds of lanterns being let off.
It is such a pretty festival and the sky looked like nothing I have ever see before- amazing!

This festival reminds me of the verse in Matthew 5:16....

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

And so...
Lights: We’ve seen plenty of these lately. Above is a photo of Dave and I letting a lantern go in our drive-way! As I said- there are no restrictions in Thailand!!
Camera: The last few days, we have not put our camera down. There’s been so much to see and do and we are enjoying being a part of all Thailand has to offer.
Action: Keep shining and sharing the love of God in a country where approximately 94 percent of the population is Buddhist and 5 percent is Muslim.