We Have Now Arived in Chaing Mai

Tuesday, January 2, 2001

Dear Friends,

Well after many hours of long travel we have now arived in Chaing Mai.  The weather is wonderful and Dad has already blessed us so much in our time of orientation and conversing with Him and each other. The one thing that I can ask is that in these next few days we need great speed and lack of complications in travel to reach our destinations and be able to do the business that we need to.  We hopefully,if visas come in correctly,will pull out by the 4th.  During our journey we will be making several stops in some cities but these will only be for nights stay.  We will need to hang low for those first two days but it should be probably some of the most beautiful travel that I have ever experienced.  We even will probably get to ride a few speed boats. (rumors say V8 engines straped on cardboard)  A man's dream....  It should be quite a wonderful trip.  Thailand at this time is very warm and L. should probably be the same.  So shorts and t-shirts and probably even a little tan. :-)  We are also going to be traveling much of the way with a few brothers from a meno. club.  They have just recently come from cambodia doing some of the same work so it will be great having their experience.  There is much need here that is already waying on me heavily.  So much darkness but already He has given us many appointments but mainly encouraging those that are likeminded.  Yarp against the antisentiments that we will be facing that they would be blinded at our passings and that all would go accordingly.  Thank you all for your notes already of encouragement and know that we are safe in His hands.  It may be a little while before we are in contact again so be patient maybe over a week.  Be fervant.

Much love,

Christopher

ITS GOOD TO BE BACK IN THAILAND!!!

Wednesday, January 10, 2001

ITS GOOD TO BE BACK IN THAILAND!!!   I have to say Lao is probably one of the most beautiful untouched places I have ever been in my life.  I would suggest to anyone of you to take a trip there if you don't mind the sometimes troublesome uncomfortable travel.  It is definately not greyhound or southwest airlines but the scenery sure beats anything I have ever seen.  The mountains are gentle with plenty of greenery that engulfs the whole landscape and the rivers have just a beautiful ruggedness about them that has been unmatched by anything that I have ever been on.   Rocks just seem to jut out and in the mornings a fog hovers the land that gives land a fairytell feel.  But you gotta live with cramped spaces and long busrides.  Most buses won't leave until there is an overload of people.  That sometimes means people hanging on back on top and in the middle row.  Their a friendly bunch.  The people are amazingly friendly though.  The kids still chased every bus that we were in and yelled hellos and oks. Westerners are still an uncommon thing, especially in the north where we were at.  In all this beaty but the depravity of these people Dad was doing amazing things.  More and more for me being in His presence is not only a must but a desire that aches within me. Alone time can be very minimal because of the hours that we are putting in over here.  We usually stay up no later than 9:30 and are usually always up earlier than 7:00.  You definately get a lot out of your day but because of our low profile that we are trying to maintain we try not to be outside and visual much.  So that makes all of us guys around each other a lot.  It has been good but after a 6-8 hour bus ride over potholes that are more like craters you can get a little irritated.  Especially when everything is covered thickly by dust.  But Dad was evident and present at all times.  The need is great here.  So many that don't know and so little that are laboring or that can labor in this country.  He protected us in every way and came through excellent on timing of travel and literature.  We had no problems with the authorities and even ate with a few in a couple of cities :-)  He does funny things like that.  Be interceding continually for the people of these countries and this land and less and less for us.  We are redeemed and we have His promises.  They do not and they so need it.  Yarp that we would continue to lay our lives down to be slaves to all men for the goal that they may know Him in the way and even more abundantly that we have known Him.  I love you all and know that my thoughts are on you often.  I'll probably get to write more once we make it to chaing mai tonight and stay there in the next few days.  Then we will take off for VN.  It will be good to debrief and then reorientate.  Keep in touch.

SABADEE (goodbye in lao)  easy huh

Christopher

Heading to V-land

Thursday, January 11, 2001

Well, we have been debriefed and reorientated for new lands and new travels.  I can't believe all that we are getting to do and to experience and the significance for this short term for our stay in southeast Asia.  One little thought that was shared with us today is a vision for one of the cities in the north of V.  actually for the whole northern V.  This land is a land that is pretty much floating on the water with over 30 million people that are just packed up in it.  The rivers and the ocean are a major part of that life.  So in that the vision is that the tide would rise.  The tide of "glorifying" our dad, (Or as a sister of mine shared also means to reveal Him).  To reveal Him means to make His name known.  His story known.  His forgiveness known.  All those things bring in the tide.  And with that every boat, every delta, every aspect of the land is changed.  They have to rise.  Or they sink.  Their anchors of their own strength sink their ships.  They must disconnect from the shores.  And they must find a new anchor and we hope and yarp that anchor would be JC.  So yarp!! Yarp that the flood would come in.  That the Father of Creation would send His rain and send His floods and that the people of V. would glorify Him!  Not the worthless idols that are just cold stone but the One. The most high.  The King of Kings.  Emmanuel.  Dad with us.  The one that even if a war breaks out against or armies attack we can still be confident. What Joy, Freedom, Peace, Hope, Love.  To know the Maker.  I have to say I am full and I hope some of that fullness would just spill over and add to the flood.  WoOoEeEe!!

Well, here is the game plan.  We fly to the south of V tomorrow to S-gon.  There we will only have a few days and will probably do some work but will also pack up for the north.  I can't tell you much about that because we don't discuss that info until tommorow. What I do know about is that once we get to the north we will catch a train out of the capital there then do some exploration/recon of some sights around there. Then on wed. (our time tues/early wed. your time) we will have our work day.  So definately be thinking about us then.  The significance of this is that we are the first team ever atleast with our company to ever do this type of work in the North.  The cordinator even thinks really the first for any org. So that is really awesome.  Frontiersmen.  The other crazy thing is that we will be reaching these destinations by motorbike!!!  M-work has definately changed.  So yarp for our safety and our speed that we may do the work that needs to be done and I think we'll probably slip in a little fun while we do it. I love you all and thanks for your notes.  Things here are so good.

Thanks for the cover.

Christopher

P.S.  Way to be sooners

We Have Safely Arrived

Wednesday, January 17, 2001

We have safely arrived once again by His provision in Hanoi of North V.  It has been a crazy trip here in this country but we have definately seen His presence.  As of now i'm in the lead with 3 wrecks on a motorbike.  One was when I was stopped and pulled on the gas when I meant to pull on the breaks so my bike went in the ditch.  No injury No damage.  my second wreck was when a little young lady decided to turn left with no previous warning.  I didn't hit her hardly at all but my wheel clipped her back one and sent me tumbling.  (you would understand why I would be so close to do this if you have ever rented a motorbike in Saigon) INSANE!!!!  Then my last wreck was one today.  Probably my worst.  Plowed a poor old man who didn't know what hit him.  He also if you would believe it, turned left without any warning. This one was quite humorous since I had a sure large load of business material on me and on top of that they really wanted to make a buck off me.  The old man was milking it pretty bad and initially wanted 300 dollars US for the damages.  His review mirror, and head light were broken so $300 was out of the question.  We settled on a way lower amount that was still in the scam catagory but I took it for not wanting to mess with the police and that also we needed to get out of dodge.  I was also thank-ful that after getting everything back in order I went in to check on the man and he was giggling and smiling pretty profusely but once he saw me he went back to milking.  So please join with me in yarping for this guy.  It was a pretty humbling experience.  Dusty and Adam come in second place with two wrecks but their's definately have more story quality.  I hope the parents don't mind this humor but we couldn't make fun of it if they were extremly serious but this is the first time we have really had to slow down and reflect.  Adam's first was on a dirt road run in Thailand.  No big spill.  Dusty's first was in Saigon when he went through two road dividers to get on another road and must have hit his fit or something but he just kinda plopped over.  THe funny thing is that the road he got on had some fresh new tar on it so he got covered pretty good.  But if you know Dusty he is just like a little school boy personality wise. Nothing gets to him.  And that is what he looked like. A little boy who had gotten in a big mess.  Then both of their second one was with each other.  Probably the worst.  Actually pretty bad.  Adam got some good rasberries and such but sucked it up quite well.  We took him to the clinic and he was cleaned up and checked out and everything was ok.  Dad was quickly gracious and Adam was back on a bike in a few days. We needed him so that was a huge blessing.  Lastly I have to say Congo's in Thailand was the best.  We were traveling down the road and had to make a U turn to head back the way we came.  Congo got on the side left medium and somehow fell off his bike.  But the funny thing was from our perspective we saw him one moment and the next he was gone.  He fell off the road in to some folage and disapeared.  It was so thick that we could not see him.  WHERE DID CONGO GO?  well the ditch was actually a large ditch about six or seven feet down and congo was at the bottom of it.  He was not injured except for some few cuts and scraps but if you know that boy he took them as war scars and bore them proudly all the way back to our guesthouse.  So as Adam put it Congo's was definately the funniest, Adam's was the worst, and mine was the saddest.  and remembering dusty come out of that tar will make me smile and laugh for a long time.

After our nights stay tonight in Hanoi we are headed to Thailand to meet up with the rest of our team and refocus for the last and probably most strenuous part of our leg.  Please yarp for strength and continual unity during that time.  We could be doing some serious hiking and we definately know that the area will be the largest and the opposition will probably be the strongest.  No motorbikes though!!! Sorry I have to quote adam again.  He refers to the bikes as a thorn in the flesh that has finally been removed.  They have been fun but man its good to get away from them.  I hopefully can do a lot less damage on my own two feet.  Don't hold it against me.

PLEASE!! one last request.  Remember to yarp for the people.  Remember once again that we are redeemed. We have been washed and have the protection of our Dad.  I hope you have seen that as visually as we have.  He has been with us.  He has gone before us and he has kept us focused.  So yarp for the nations. Like this place there are so many old cathol. churches and even some plus signs but the doors are all boarded.  There is not even a remnant of the goodnews. But they were once His.  They were created to be His and some have even heard some news.  But now they need to hear more than ever.  The kingdom of Dad is here. Let us yarp even more fervantly.

Much love to all my family in the Son Joshua.

Christopher

Leaving Big Country

Wednesday, January 24, 2001

I don't have much time to write because we are getting out and about a bit before we get out of country, but I wanted to tell all of you that I am back in the capital city of the region that we are in. The Father definately had some different changes of plans which made things very interesting but I want to wait and write in a place where I can speak more freely.  He has definately helped us overcome and done some very miraculous things.  Things that can not be described by coincidence but only by His divine intervention.  I will tell all of you much about those things in a few days.  We are know flying back to Thailand in a few short hours so be yarping over the rest of our travels.  But also be yarping about a young frenchmen named Eric.  The poor guy got stuck with us five in a dorm room and Dad is really speaking to him.  Yarp that even though no decision may be made before we leave that He will continue to work diligently in Eric's heart.  I love you all and I want to make one last request.  Trust Dad with your life. Over and Over He has shown His provision and faithfulness to us.  Know that He protects, loves and provides.  I will see you all very soon.

Much love,

Christopher

Good News, Good News, Christ Died For Me!!!

Friday, January 26, 2001

I first want to thank you all for your constant prayers through this time overseas.  The guys and I are still in Thailand taking some time to debrief and recooperate from our travels.  The security is really now no longer a issue, because Thailand is open, so feel free to e-mail whatever you feel.  We also have some time on our hands so we all wouldn't mind to hear what is going on in your neck of the woods.

I wish I could really communicate all that God has taught me on this trip, but many of those things are still being worked out, further solidified, and are now rolling over into other areas of my life.  He really knows us to well.  He can get right up and bless us in ways that make our hearts leap, and in the same instance humble us and get inside, tearing, and shredding away flesh.  All in grace, all in mercy, all from a Father that is slow to anger and abounding in love.  Lately I have been trying to understand what it means to worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; and to tremble before him, like Psalm 96:9 commands us to do.  How can I fear the hand that feeds my soul?  How can I fear one who bestows grace, love, and mercy.  Maybe I have a wrong concept of Him.  One of the guys on this trip expressed it like this.  "I don't like God, I am scared of Him.  But if God is Jesus then I want to know Him"  My quotation is a little off but the concept is still there.  C.S. Lewis and the Bible relate God as a Lion. Lion's aren't an animal you want to have around as pets.  If they get hungry enough they'll eat ya.  I still don't understand this fully, but one thing the Lord really brought to mind was a place that I have visited in Southeast Asia called Tiger Leaping Gorge.  At the base of this Gorge there is a certain section of these swelling strong currents and massive pounding falls. Just the sprays from many of the falls leap 40 feet up into the air.  No one has ever made it down that section of the river.  No one.  This reminds me of God.  A constant surging of immeasurable force moving the hemispheres ravishing through mountains.  Just Awesome...  You can stand at the base of this river and your being aches immeasurebly more compared when you look over a high cliff or encounter a near death experience.  You constantly fear the power of this river.  You tremble, shake, want to stay away.  But right next to it is a small platform.  A platform with railings.  Your close enough to the river to feel the sprays but far enough away that you feel completely safe.  Safety like Salvation.  A helmet that protects as Ephesians speaks of it.  It's an awesome assurance. A peace that is without understanding, that gaurds the heart and mind and that is simple unexplanable.

This has been just a inadequate description of how God has overwhelmingly been near during our time over here.  I've felt His presence, and walked in that presence.  And many times have felt the spray of the river.  He says in Psalm 67 that he makes His face shine upon us and blesses us so that we may be a blessing to the nations and take His news of Salvation to them.  So they may rejoice and be glad.  So we've gone in those hopes with that purpose in mind.  And He has been with us. Whether it was a short mumbled pray for direction to a village, then a stirring of dust in the distance that brought forth a woman who gave us direction.  Or it was the strength when the body just seemed it couldn't go on.  Or even the time when we were fully loaded (over 250 pieces of material that was almost gaping out of our 5 backpacks) and walked straight through a bus station that every other persons belongings had been fully checked.  To the skeptic we might also say what about the time when we looked for about an hour in the cold at dusk for a lone bus that could maybe take us out of the rural areas to a town.  We looked, looked, looked, "you recieve not because you ask not" we prayed, and no doubt 15 seconds later it came.  It was free!!!  and it took us to one of the local market towns, dropped us off, then another bus was there right when we got our things out of the van.  This bus was going to the city that we needed.  It was completely empty.  The driver wiped off the dust of three seats and then we were off.  In the dark through and over huge mountain passes and cliffs.  I wanted to pinch the driver to see if he was real.  Ok, so you still don't understand.  Just recently we honestly almost ran completely out of local currency.  Had barely enough to maybe stay another night in the town let alone rent any buses to get to the areas we needed to go.  No big deal right.  Wrong.  We landed in this land during a time of New Year (it's like Christmas in the states) at this time we didn't know the full extent of this. All we knew was that we didn't understand why two of the banks that were open in town didn't exchange money and the one that could was closed (they have banks in this land but there not all for the same purposes, we didn't know this either)  So ok, no big deal, right? We go to the major city about 1 hr. away and we exchange some money.  It's a big city something has to be open.  Well, nothing was.  We were able to get a little there but not so much.  So we looked, I got frustrated.  We were wasting a day, time needed to spread the good news.  What in the world is going on. I was pretty upset.  With myself and with God.  Then He shows up in just the right time.  Just right there when we have wrenched our hands and lacked faith and so quickly forget His previous faithfulness.  We arrive at the bus station because we have to go to the capital city of the province (another 2 1/2 hours away) because there is definately places to exchange there.  We even get a ticket.  Were waiting and out of no where comes a red headed lady asking where were headed.  American.  Likeminded.  (Believers stick out overhere)  She is even willing to exchange some money. What a blessing.  He has higher plans.  "You guys are where?"  "How long are you staying? Oh,  well we can only exchange just a little bit of money with you guys because we aren't sure what all will be open in Kun." "banks and stuff might not be open even in Kunming," we ask.  "oh ya everything closes down around here for new years"  EVERYTHING? for how long.  out here atleast for a week.  Soooooo that means banks and also means bus routes.  That means if we hadn't met this God sent family we would have been stuck.  Missed a flight, and out of money.  God your our Savior.  Go get the stuff and the other guys. GO GO GO.  Everyone made it to the big city and we caught the last bus out of town.  Made it early by no more that 10 minutes. In 10 minutes we would have been stuck, out of money, and in an area that very few people speak English. Providence.  His presence once again when we doubt and He is there to reassure that He is in control. Complete control.  So why did all this happen?  Well, maybe to strengthen our faith.  Grow us up.  Help us put our trust in Him.  Or maybe, just maybe, the same God that pulled me, ME!, out of the poor depths of miry clay is the same God who is searching after a 35 year-old Frenchman named Eric who got put in our dorm room.  Put in the dorm room with 5 willing witnesses. He and us both met with God.  We shared much and he listened very openly and I think much connection was made.

So this is just the stories of 4-5 days in one country.  Just the tangible ones.  It in no way expresses the inner things that were taught or the battles that took place in the heavenlies.  Or the two other times that we definately stepped off the rode unbeknownst to us when a military truck or police would come around the corner.  They probably wouldn't have liked where we were at so much.  All this to say. My God is real.  The same God that created my ears hears.  The same God that created my mouth speaks, and the same God who created my longings longs for His name to be exalted because He is the only thing unshakable, stable, in a word full of unstables.  So join me know in exalting His name.  Rejoicing in His presence and another wonderful time of doing missions when dying is gain.  Trust in God.  Trust in His Son. He is our example and more than that He is , like we sang tonight, our All in All.

I love you all very dearly, and look forward to seeing you back in the states.  IT's GOOD TO BE ALIVE WALKING WITH EMMANUEL!!

much love,

Christopher