North Thailand STM - An abundant supply of God's grace

Praise the Lord. In June 2023, I could start a two-week short-term mission at CCEC. During the stay with local co-workers and students, we enjoyed the abundant supply of God's grace in the rain and sweat: the weather wasn't too hot, the mosquitoes were manageable, and even the geckos' calls became the accompaniment of summer nights.

At CCEC, "from morning till night, songs of praise never cease; from the wilderness to the mountains, praise never stops." Every day, we began our morning routine at 5:30 with songs like "The Holy City," "The Beauty of Earth," and "You raise me up." At the beginning of classes, we start with worship and praise to God, learning to sing English hymns, performing skits based on the Bible, and connecting God's living Word with English lessons. By the end of the two weeks, the students were all singing "Step by step, following Jesus," and "You are, you are the only God"... When evening arrived at 7 o'clock, the strumming of guitars broke the silence. The shy and reserved dormitory residents became lively while eating, singing, and jumping to unfamiliar Thai praise songs. We were also infected by their enthusiasm, bouncing and singing along, bowing our heads in prayer: praying for the successful trip of Teacher Ma to the United States, for the recovery of Teacher Sabine from illness, for a student's family renovation, for another student's mother to lighten her workload, and even for the chickens in the dormitory to lay more eggs. Every prayer, big or small, was shared with our Heavenly Father.

Here, the service to over 400 students and the care for more than 30 dormitory residents by the local workers showed me that God's hand guided each of them. They live a life of constant prayer, gentle humility, and devout service, imparting wisdom through teaching and nurturing. Behind all this was the abundant presence of Jesus Christ in their lives. "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1) They embodied the beauty and goodness of God. When the chef prepared meals for us and the students every day, when the driver took us out for walks, when the host provided warmth to our home, and when the teachers taught us about proper attire and behavior according to local customs, we were surrounded by rich and abundant love every day.

Although Pastor Ho, who began the work on this land 40 years ago, has returned to his heavenly home, and Teacher Ma was in the United States during our trip, the cross established at CCEC and the Bible verses visible on the walls, in the smiles of Wen Yi, Wen Ze, Wen Qing, Sabine, Song Yang, Mei Xian, and En Yue each day, in the moments of singing praise with the children at night, and when we looked up and saw the brightest star in the sky, I knew that God's witnesses were always here.

"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:20-21) Thank God for leading each one of us on His path, never leaving us nor forsaking us.

Austin Chinese Church - Cecile Yu

06.20.2023