CUC In Thailand: Lights In The World

Over the past two weeks our team has done a lot, seen a lot, eaten a lot, felt a lot and most importantly, they have learned a lot. They have learned how to communicate in a new language. They have practiced new customs in a foreign culture. They have tried new, strange and sometimes, spicy foods. They have painted and wired student dormitories and learned how to build a house out of dirt. They have seen the Hmong way of slaughtering a pig and know just how strong Hmong whiskey is (given to us as honored guests). They have observed a different religion and have seen how it is a huge part of the culture. They have seen just how beautiful and different God's creation can be in a different country and they have had numerous instances where all they could do was praise Him for it. The list goes on and on.

Yesterday and today they learned that it is important to take time to rest and reflect. Even missionaries get to take time off and have fun. Since coming here we have had wonderful opportunities to think and talk about our experiences and reflect on God's goodness. Looking at his creation in the ocean during the day and in the stars at night tends to have that effect on you.

After a relaxing day on the beach or in the pool, we had a pretty special evening. Before leaving Chiang Mai, P Dang took me to a store where I could buy a special gift for our team. If you have ever seen the movie Tangled, you will know what I mean buy floating lanterns. We had 30 of them to send off, so we walked down the beach to the darkest part of the beach where Jamie had a brief devotion on Light and us being the light of Christ in the world. We closed our evening by singing the doxology as we watched the lanterns. Watching them float off into the sky was incredibly beautiful and was a great reminder to us of how the light of Christ came to this dark world to remove the darkness of sin and give us life and light eternal.