Austins in Thailand

As I write this my new friends are on an airplane heading back to Seattle.  Nine member of First Free Methodist Church in Seattle traveled to Thailand to bless everyone they met.  They blessed the Thai Christians; they blessed the 120 Thai High School students to whom they taught English; they blessed my family; I would even say they blessed the elephants they rode on as they played tourist.

A couple of stories:  Judy O’Brien was helping some Thai teens make boxes out of Christmas cards.  Of course, the images on the cards prompted some questions.  One girl asked, “Why do Christians worship on Sunday.”  We answered by explaining about the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Then this same Thai girl asked, “Why do Christians sing with so much joy?”  Wow!  We then acted out an impromptu liberation skit with Jesus as the champion and the Thai girl as a slave of the enemy.  After she was freed from her pretend prision I asked, “Are you happy or sad to be free?”  She answered, “Happy.”  I then smiled at her and stated, “That’s why Christians sing with so much joy.”

On the last day most of the students and the team cried.  They fell in love and had their hearts broken for the “least of these.” 

First Church made a real difference.  They touched lives.  They proclaimed the truth with their actions and words.  They loved.  They will never be the same.

** See the pictures by following the link on the side bar!