Austins in Thailand

I write this as I look out at my garden filled with flowers. There is a small - very small - yellow bird flitting around the green, red and white of the garden. The rainy season has just begun here in Thailand and moisture clings to everything. After 5 long, dry, and recently very hot months, the rain is falling again, sometimes with great force, sometimes with gentleness.

Sometimes, especially in March after 4 months with no rain, I start begging God for rain. I remember the green of November, the raging waterfalls and sky filled with rain. I remember the rice fields filled with water and the clean fresh air. The memory gives me hope.

For 400 years the Israelites toiled in Egypt. It was a long time of suffering. But God heard their cry and led them out of slavery. Over and over again in the story of Exodus God directs his people to remember. Remember you were once slaves. Remember, God saved you. Remember who you are, where you came from, who loves you. Remember.

Exodus is our story. Like the memory of the green of November, our memory of God’s saving actions give us hope in the troubled times. We were once slaves in Egypt. We were once dead in our sins. God saved us. God broke the power of Egypt and the power of sin. There is nothing God cannot do. It may be dry and hot - but the rain will come. We may be suffering now - but God will rescue us. Remember.

Remember.

The other day I was passing through a well known store in the Seattle area. I glanced at some clothes and slowed down. I couldn’t believe my eyes - $282 for a pair of jeans. I stopped. Picked them up. Looked for the gold thread. I couldn’t believe it.

As I looked at the other over priced clothes on the table accompanying the jeans I kept wishing that a sales person would ask to help me. I wanted to ask them why - why are these jeans worth $282? I also wanted to tell someone, anyone, that 1/3 of the world’s population lives on less than $1 a day. In other words - 282 days = one pair of jeans!

God help us!

Ending Slavery is the title of Kevin Bale’s latest book. It’s a must read. Log onto the Free the Slaves website and buy three for $30. Keep one and give the other two away. . .

2: Beavers we see when we stay with Natelle’s mother in Goldendale.

4: Fish caught fishing with Rod and Kathy Brown in Molson, Washington.

5: Number of Thai pastors soon to be ordained in Thailand at the annual conference.

35: Scheduled appointments and presentations so far for September and October. Want to add more?

425.361.5660: My phone number in the Seattle area.

27% - the amount of money pledged so far towards next years ministry. We need 100%+ by the end of December. Hit “give” above to learn more.

Don’t forget to check the blogs on the right. There are some great ones! I just added Doug Murren’s site. He’s a great guy with some powerful insights. Check it out and join the conversations. . .

You can now give electronically to us and our ministry in Thailand. . . Just look up to the top of the screen where it says, “Austins in Thailand”   Just below are four words the last of which is, “Give.”

Thanks for your support!

It’s strange to not really belong anywhere. I live in Thailand - but I’m not Thai. No matter how hard I try or for how long I try, I’ll never be Thai. I’m an American, but after being out of the country for six years now, I’m not sure what that means.

This is a bit destabilizing. It also brings some things into sharp, culture warping perspective. I’ve now been back in the United States for 2 weeks. I’m in culture shock, and I hope I don’t get over it. Here are a couple of my more recent culture shock moments:

I can’t bear to spend $3 on a latte knowing that $3 is equal to a week worth of lunches in Thailand or approximately 2 days worth of pay for the average Cambodian.

What’s up with all the stores where trees used to be? Do we need 300 Target stores in the North Seattle area?

I’m not against shopping, lattes, eating good food, etc. But the materialism will eat away at the our souls until we are hollow. Moderation is a good thing. Living simply so others may simply live is a good thing.

I don’t want to be a materialist American. I want to be a Christian like John Wesley:

Making as much as I can to give as much as I can.

Living a life of enthusiastic outreach, helping all I can.

Doing everything from a heart of love.