April 9 - Elizabeth F
Do you have preconceived ideas in your mind of what Asia looks like? I know I did, and chances are, there's someplace in Asia that looks similar to the picture in your mind. Our location for this week's children's program doesn't fit any of my previous notions of Southeast Asian topography. We're in the middle of a pine forest in the mountains and it's actually cool here. Strange, huh?In addition to the change in scenery, the culture is very different from what we experienced in Yangon. The children's program needs a slightly a different approach. For those of you who have traveled with GE, think of running kids programs in South America. It requires a higher energy level to gain and keep attention but at the same time, the kids are expressive and maybe a little easier to read at first. Pray for the team as we adjust, step up the energy output, and learn to love these kids. I know they are just faces in pictures if you're not here, but God knows each of their names, their hopes and fears, their needs... and we want to see and love them as he does.Dinner was a treat. Our hosts, Hannah and Poenee, invited us to join their family at an Indian restaurant. The food was amazing, but the best part was listening to their stories. They are missionaries to the Palaung tribe that lives in the hill country of South Asia. They have traveled all over South Asia sharing the gospel with a people who are closed to outsiders, but somehow welcome them; a people who persecute Christians, but they live among them with their children. Spiritual warfare is so real for them. They will get ready to leave on a trip to a far away village and will get sick. They start their journey anyway and God miraculously heals them on the way. They have even been laughed at by other Christians because their vision for what they want to accomplish is far greater than their education, bank account, and abilities. Their faith, courage, and dedication to prayer spoke to my heart and encouraged me to keep going. Pray for them... and for us!Elizabeth F
