Kevin Austin at Lakeside, Thailand, and other Exciting Places

Recently the UN released a study on the world’s children. It documents that in 2002, 150 million girls and 73 million boys experienced forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual violence; between 100 and 140 million girls and women have undergone some form of female genital mutilation; of the 218 million of children who were working in 2004, 5.7 million were in forced or bonded labor in 2000; 1.8 million in prostitution and pornography; and 1.2 million were victims of trafficking.

What can be done about these horrible statistics?

Christ’s love compels us to do something. I would suggest three things:

1. Pray. Prayer often gets a bad rap: “If nothing else, pray.� Well, prayer is more powerful than that! Pray is powerful. Prayer changes things. Walter Brueggemann writes that when we pray we create whole new worlds. We need to pray against this demonic evil. We need to pray, imagining new worlds of joy and peace for our children. God listens, cares and answers our prayers.

2. Work on two fronts: a) rescuing those already caught and, b) proactively attacking the systems that create this and other tragedies. The first is rescuing those already caught. We need gifted courageous people to work on the front lines rescuing, bringing healing and loving those who have already been abused. Not everyone can or should do this. It’s heartbreaking, dangerous work. But there are people who are gifted and called to do this work and the rest of us should support them in every way we can.

3. The second front is proactively attacking the systems that create this tragedy. Let’s be honest. The main issue here is sin followed closely by corrupt systems put into operation because of sin and the enemy. Evangelism attacks the root of the problem. Education and social justice function as twin arms on the body of the Kingdom of God sweeping in.

Specifically, this is what I think:

• We must proclaim the Kingdom of God in everything we do and are.
• We need to recruit, train and support front line workers through organizations like Free Burma Rangers, Partners, etc.
• We should continue to strengthen our social justice and educational missions.
• We need to challenge the American and International Churches to do more in this area.
• The Free Methodist Church needs to create a task force to study and strategize and then act. We also need a declaration in our Book of Discipline speaking out against this tragedy and rallying us all around the issue.

What do you think? Send me a comment.

Should missionaries participate in the corruption in their country of residence (like paying bribes)?  What about buying illegal software when you can’t find legal software?  Can missionaries be involved in some form of politics?  How do you write a good support letter?  These are just a few of the questions being asked at www.mypromis.org.   Check it out.  Read, be informed, wonder, contribute.  We need to reach the world for Christ and there are many perplexing issues.  We can sort this out together.  See the link on the side bar called “FM Missions Chat”.

 

In the past we have had special financial needs.  I’ve let them be known and have never been disappointed with the response.  Thank you for supporting the ministry here in Thailand.

• Christian Education for our leaders is a big challenge here in Thailand. The Christian population is less than 1% so there are few resources for training.  Bible School is not an option for most of our poor leaders.  But Biblical, theological training is crucial.  We would like to establish a “Leadership Developmentâ€? program to oversee and help fund our leaders to receive the training that they need.  Currently we have two people involved in YWAM(Youth with a Mission) who need financial support.  Additionally we have two young men who want to attend Bible School somewhere.  Would you or your church consider partnering with us financially in this area?
• We have a great opportunity through Women’s Ministries International (WMI) to impact the church here in Thailand.  WMI has approved support for Umporn, the assistant pastor at Somsuk Church in Bangkok.  Please pray for Umporn and consider giving to support her work through your local Free Methodist Church.  In 2005 WMI was instrumental in launching one of our young leaders (Jiw) into ministry.
• We have a critical need at this time for automotive repair.  Superintendent Art Chutong’s much used van is 10+ years old and is in need of a complete engine overhaul.   Additionally, our vehicle here in Chiang Mai will need to be replaced soon as well.  Would your church consider taking on a vehicle project?
• We can use short term or long term missionaries to help with teaching English and building projects.   There are many areas where you may help.
• Grace International School here in Chiang Mai is always looking for qualified, called teachers to come teach.  Grace is a vital ministry assisting missionaries through providing quality education for missionary children K-12.

We were stopped at the red light. Cars and motorcycles; trucks and buses. The time clock next to the light was ticking down in bright green. We all knew how much time we had.

She was in the back of a pickup. Twelve years old? She looked cold in the early morning light. Her younger brother wiggled next to her. Where had she come from? Where was she going? She looked around as if she were seeing things for the first time. Maybe she was from the mountains going shopping for supplies with her family. . . The countdown was 59 seconds.

A young boy was walking from car to car, strings of sweet smelling jasmine to sell. I see him at this same intersection day after day; night after night. Dirty tee-shirt and worn jeans; jasmine perfectly white on the string. Why isn’t he in school? Where is his mother? The countdown was 31 seconds.

A newly washed Mercedes in front; a dirty truck behind. The temple on the mountain in the distance glowed gold under a clear blue sky. The countdown was 19 seconds.

Time seemed to stop. The crush of humanity rushing to stand still with the clock counting down. Down to zero. Down to eternity. Down to a hope sung loud and clear by creation all around us. Down to a grace springing up for all to see. Down to an existence on earth – living or dying; heaven or hell. But does the jasmine boy hear the songs of hope? Does the pickup girl see the grace? What about the business man in his Mercedes in front of me? What about the teenagers weaving to the front of the line on their motorcycles? What about me trapped in the car with the light ticking down?

Eventually the clock ticked down to zero. The motorcycles roared into the distance. The jasmine boy stood on the roadside waiting for the next red light. The pickup with the girl turned and I lost sight of her. I drove on thinking of the faces and lives of just a few caught by the light with time ticking down.

Time ticking down.

 Note:  Look for this article in an upcoming issue of Light and Life Magazine!