It's Good Friday. I love passion week. I love thinking about Jesus. Lent season this year has me contemplating how the story of my Master's sacrifice shapes me. So today I am reading to the kids at the breakfast table the last 7 statements of Jesus before His death. All these statements are beautiful and challenging. Amidst statements like "Woman, here is your son," "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" and "It is finished," the phrase "I'm Thirsty" in John 19:27 perhaps lags behind in significance. Of course he was thirsty. I have never been crucified, but I have a feeling it gives one cotton mouth at least as much as running a few miles. Yet this morning this phrase "I'm thirsty" would not keep quiet. "I'm thirsty." It's still ringing in my ears.
Suddenly, Jesus' previous statements of thirst came to me. John 4:13 (to the Samaritan woman at the well) "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again; But anyone who drinks the water that I give will never thirst-- not ever. The water I give will be a spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." John 6:33 "Jesus answered: 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. John 7:37 "On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took His stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me in this way."
And finally John 19:28, "Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, 'I'm thirsty.'"
The one who is the spring of life for the dry empty cistern of every man and woman became a dry well. He who created every source of water for our physical existence as humans became parched. The Answer to all our water rationing, water conservation programs, global warming, irrigation needs became thirsty.
Today we humbly celebrate what Martin Luther called "the great exchange." My sin (thirst) for His life (water). I am so thankful.
21.3.08
7.3.08
I Can See Their Faces
Today 3 of my nieces, 3 of my nephews, my sister-in-law, and my brother will climb aboard a China Airlines airplane at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to fly to Japan or Tawian, I am not really sure, and then go to Los Angeles and on to Amarillo, Texas. In Amarillo, their grandparents will probably pick them up and take them to their home. They will unpack their bags and then they will rest. Rest. Rest after a month of packing up everything they own in 25 or so bags and giving away the remainder of the “stuff.” Rest after closing down the accounts. Rest after handing off the responsibilities. But it is more than that. What they truly will be resting from is the unpleasant task of saying goodbye to everyone and everything that has been home for the past 16 plus years.
I can see each one of their faces as they climb on board the plane. You see there is something rather dramatic about getting on a plane like this. You will understand this if you have ever packed up all your things and boarded a plane with a one-way ticket. The responsibilities of packing and the requirements of getting to the place where you can actually take that taxi ride to the airport keep many feelings at bay. But then you hand off the bags to the agent and there is little left to do but walk down the concourse, enter the cabin, find your seat, and fasten your seatbelt (I know, I know this is not really true for people with 6 kids or for those of us traveling with children under 6).
These faces boarding the plane are treasures to me, and Jesus has given me something beautiful as I watch them climb aboard.
I see Tracy first. My beautiful sister-in-law. In her face I see so many moments of almost hating Thailand. Times of missing home and family so much you could taste it. I see times of almost buying this ticket for the return trip before it was time. Yet now that this trip has come, stepping on to this plane and leaving a place and people you have truly loved and learned to love is perhaps the hardest thing she has ever done.
Next I see Brently. The oldest. I see one who has so much of Thailand in her. It will take her many years to understand everything about who she is because she ran around those concrete floors as a two year old. Now at fourteen (I hope she is not fifteen yet cause then I will feel really old) she plays her guitar in front of large Thai audiences and knows how they will react. There is knowledge of Thailand deep within her that a visitor to Thailand like me will never comprehend.
Then I see Asher. Quite the opposite of Brently. Two years old. Barring some return to Thailand in the future (which I am not opposed to), he may have no memories of Thailand. Yet, some place deep inside of him will be forever Thai.
I see Jake. Jake will miss Thailand deeply because it is “home” more so than because it is Thailand. This thought brings quite a few tears and would overwhelm me if I were not confident that the things that made Thailand home to Jake are getting on the airplane with him. Yet Jake will know more deeply, at least more than we who medicate our empty feelings with bits and pieces of our cultures, that his home is truly somewhere else. Why is it that I can so easily picture Jake at the end of everything climbing on to Jesus’ lap and sighing deeply? Home! I also wonder if it will be Jake that the Thais miss the most. Why? Innocence. The innocence that is lacking in this country makes Jakes presence that much more desirable. Thailand will miss Jake. Thailand will miss all of ‘em.
I see Braid. I see her walk confidently on the plane. Surrounded by brothers and sisters. If she trips as she enters the cabin door, she will have seven people scurrying to help her up. In Braid, I see the future of this family. I see that whatever is ahead will be faced together. In the challenge of this return trip, no one is alone. Especially not Braid.
I see Josiah with his frizzy afro. A few passengers behind him will have to ask him to flatten his hair out so they can watch the movie. Si is my nephew who can catch a pass like a pro-bowl receiver at age ten. In passing I would teach him a new football skill, and he would go home and practice until he had it perfect and could show me the goods. Passion. That is one thing this child is not lacking in is passion. He may have some bumps in the road missing things the way they were. At times he will probably have some difficulty communicating all that he feels and some of the pain that goes with saying goodbye to Thailand. Yet, passion will drive him to become and enjoy the days ahead. The passion he takes from Thailand may drive him back here some day, or maybe somewhere else. One thing is for sure, he will keep at it with great passion until he gets it right.
And of course I see Breck. Two or three Thais will comment on her beautiful and unique curly hair as she gets on the plane. Someone may even pat her hair or stroke her arm in an effort to experience with their hands this Western white skin and curly blond hair. This will not be uncommon. Each of these kids has had their hair and faces and arms stroked by strangers more times than any of them want to count. What onlookers will not, no cannot understand is the depth and complexity of this wonderful child. Of course she is beautiful. God chose for some reason to make all of Russ and Tracy’s kids beautiful (we who are, shall we say, less beautiful understand this full well). Most people will never see all the parts of this girl who can speak two languages like a native speaker, understand peoples of various cultures, exist in living situations at times much less than convenient, and dance like a ballerina. There is more. That is the point. For both Brently and Breck, most of us will only get to see the tip of the iceberg that below the surface goes for hundreds of miles deep. And as she gets on that plane, some of these unique parts of her will be going under the surface, at least for a little while. Hmmm. I believe God will bless the people who get the chance to know the depth of these two ladies. Perhaps Jesus is preparing two men for this great adventure. I am confident these will be no ordinary men.
Oh yeah, Russ will get on the plane too. How can I write this? I can’t even see the screen. Maybe I need to head in another direction.
Yesterday Brett Farve decided to retire. I love Brett Farve. One of ESPN’s sports writers commented on why he was going to miss Brett:
“I'll miss the picks (that refers to Brett’s throws that ended up as interceptions for you non-football slang people). I'll miss them even more than the touchdowns, though he holds the all-time records for both. For it was in failure that we saw how much Favre wanted to win. He wanted to win so badly he was willing to lose. Not just lose. He was willing to be the goat for a shot at being the hero. So many quarterbacks are poor timid souls who've known neither victory nor defeat. Game managers. Not our man. He knew defeat 288 times. There is something poetic about his last pass as a professional ending up in an interception.
Brett Farve has the record for most touchdowns and the record for most interceptions. That kills me. There is something in me that shrieks “noooo” to this statistic. My lazy, mediocre, sit on the couch self resists this statistic. This statistic screams that I will never get anywhere without the pain of failure. I will never get anywhere without taking the leap.
Russ knows the pain of failure. Whole families have been baptized only to leave their newfound freedom. Disciples have been trained only to return to their brokenness. Months spent helping drunks dry out have been wiped out by a bottle of whisky. Orphans given the chance at new life and a “family” that cares for them have chosen rebellion and loneliness over dealing with their “stuff.” Word after word and testimony after testimony have fallen upon deaf ear after deaf ear. I could go on, but it probably would not bless him or me. Oh, and here I have mainly mentioned the “noble” failures where he was trying to do something good for others. Truthfully, I could make a long list of his more ignoble failures and the times when the only cause for failure was stupidity, pride, or brokenness. Yet, can anyone say, “Man, Russ and Tracy…Why didn’t you take some risks while you were in Thailand? Why didn’t you get off the couch and try something”
It still amazes me that 16 years ago Russ got on a plane and came to Thailand. I am sure he would tell you that boarding that first plane had a lot more to do with youthful naivety than bravery. Yet I have walked the streets of Bangkok with this guy as he tried and tried again to tell people about Jesus. I have never seen anyone with greater passion about sharing the beauty of Christ in such darkness. Through his willingness to get off the couch, to quit playing video games, to get on the plane, what has Jesus done?
· A church of Thai people who love Jesus and deeply understand that “it is not by works as if any man should boast” but by grace that we are saved in Jesus Christ.
· Handed out free tickets for Thais to see the “Passion of the Christ” when it was showing in the movie theaters of Thailand (did I mention he was dressed up as Jesus when he handed out the tickets) and then preached in the movie theaters after the movie was over and then again when “The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe” came to town.
· Worshipped all over Thailand. In every part of the country praise songs in Thai with Thai people singing praises and adoration have honored King Jesus.
· Witnessed of the kindness of Jesus in all parts of Thailand to literally ten thousands of peoples.
· Lived out the beauty of family and of a loving husband and wife relationship in a place where these ideals are quite unknown.
· Pulled orphans off the streets and helped them find families.
I can see each one of their faces as they climb on board the plane. You see there is something rather dramatic about getting on a plane like this. You will understand this if you have ever packed up all your things and boarded a plane with a one-way ticket. The responsibilities of packing and the requirements of getting to the place where you can actually take that taxi ride to the airport keep many feelings at bay. But then you hand off the bags to the agent and there is little left to do but walk down the concourse, enter the cabin, find your seat, and fasten your seatbelt (I know, I know this is not really true for people with 6 kids or for those of us traveling with children under 6).
These faces boarding the plane are treasures to me, and Jesus has given me something beautiful as I watch them climb aboard.
I see Tracy first. My beautiful sister-in-law. In her face I see so many moments of almost hating Thailand. Times of missing home and family so much you could taste it. I see times of almost buying this ticket for the return trip before it was time. Yet now that this trip has come, stepping on to this plane and leaving a place and people you have truly loved and learned to love is perhaps the hardest thing she has ever done.
Next I see Brently. The oldest. I see one who has so much of Thailand in her. It will take her many years to understand everything about who she is because she ran around those concrete floors as a two year old. Now at fourteen (I hope she is not fifteen yet cause then I will feel really old) she plays her guitar in front of large Thai audiences and knows how they will react. There is knowledge of Thailand deep within her that a visitor to Thailand like me will never comprehend.
Then I see Asher. Quite the opposite of Brently. Two years old. Barring some return to Thailand in the future (which I am not opposed to), he may have no memories of Thailand. Yet, some place deep inside of him will be forever Thai.
I see Jake. Jake will miss Thailand deeply because it is “home” more so than because it is Thailand. This thought brings quite a few tears and would overwhelm me if I were not confident that the things that made Thailand home to Jake are getting on the airplane with him. Yet Jake will know more deeply, at least more than we who medicate our empty feelings with bits and pieces of our cultures, that his home is truly somewhere else. Why is it that I can so easily picture Jake at the end of everything climbing on to Jesus’ lap and sighing deeply? Home! I also wonder if it will be Jake that the Thais miss the most. Why? Innocence. The innocence that is lacking in this country makes Jakes presence that much more desirable. Thailand will miss Jake. Thailand will miss all of ‘em.
I see Braid. I see her walk confidently on the plane. Surrounded by brothers and sisters. If she trips as she enters the cabin door, she will have seven people scurrying to help her up. In Braid, I see the future of this family. I see that whatever is ahead will be faced together. In the challenge of this return trip, no one is alone. Especially not Braid.
I see Josiah with his frizzy afro. A few passengers behind him will have to ask him to flatten his hair out so they can watch the movie. Si is my nephew who can catch a pass like a pro-bowl receiver at age ten. In passing I would teach him a new football skill, and he would go home and practice until he had it perfect and could show me the goods. Passion. That is one thing this child is not lacking in is passion. He may have some bumps in the road missing things the way they were. At times he will probably have some difficulty communicating all that he feels and some of the pain that goes with saying goodbye to Thailand. Yet, passion will drive him to become and enjoy the days ahead. The passion he takes from Thailand may drive him back here some day, or maybe somewhere else. One thing is for sure, he will keep at it with great passion until he gets it right.
And of course I see Breck. Two or three Thais will comment on her beautiful and unique curly hair as she gets on the plane. Someone may even pat her hair or stroke her arm in an effort to experience with their hands this Western white skin and curly blond hair. This will not be uncommon. Each of these kids has had their hair and faces and arms stroked by strangers more times than any of them want to count. What onlookers will not, no cannot understand is the depth and complexity of this wonderful child. Of course she is beautiful. God chose for some reason to make all of Russ and Tracy’s kids beautiful (we who are, shall we say, less beautiful understand this full well). Most people will never see all the parts of this girl who can speak two languages like a native speaker, understand peoples of various cultures, exist in living situations at times much less than convenient, and dance like a ballerina. There is more. That is the point. For both Brently and Breck, most of us will only get to see the tip of the iceberg that below the surface goes for hundreds of miles deep. And as she gets on that plane, some of these unique parts of her will be going under the surface, at least for a little while. Hmmm. I believe God will bless the people who get the chance to know the depth of these two ladies. Perhaps Jesus is preparing two men for this great adventure. I am confident these will be no ordinary men.
Oh yeah, Russ will get on the plane too. How can I write this? I can’t even see the screen. Maybe I need to head in another direction.
Yesterday Brett Farve decided to retire. I love Brett Farve. One of ESPN’s sports writers commented on why he was going to miss Brett:
“I'll miss the picks (that refers to Brett’s throws that ended up as interceptions for you non-football slang people). I'll miss them even more than the touchdowns, though he holds the all-time records for both. For it was in failure that we saw how much Favre wanted to win. He wanted to win so badly he was willing to lose. Not just lose. He was willing to be the goat for a shot at being the hero. So many quarterbacks are poor timid souls who've known neither victory nor defeat. Game managers. Not our man. He knew defeat 288 times. There is something poetic about his last pass as a professional ending up in an interception.
Brett Farve has the record for most touchdowns and the record for most interceptions. That kills me. There is something in me that shrieks “noooo” to this statistic. My lazy, mediocre, sit on the couch self resists this statistic. This statistic screams that I will never get anywhere without the pain of failure. I will never get anywhere without taking the leap.
Russ knows the pain of failure. Whole families have been baptized only to leave their newfound freedom. Disciples have been trained only to return to their brokenness. Months spent helping drunks dry out have been wiped out by a bottle of whisky. Orphans given the chance at new life and a “family” that cares for them have chosen rebellion and loneliness over dealing with their “stuff.” Word after word and testimony after testimony have fallen upon deaf ear after deaf ear. I could go on, but it probably would not bless him or me. Oh, and here I have mainly mentioned the “noble” failures where he was trying to do something good for others. Truthfully, I could make a long list of his more ignoble failures and the times when the only cause for failure was stupidity, pride, or brokenness. Yet, can anyone say, “Man, Russ and Tracy…Why didn’t you take some risks while you were in Thailand? Why didn’t you get off the couch and try something”
It still amazes me that 16 years ago Russ got on a plane and came to Thailand. I am sure he would tell you that boarding that first plane had a lot more to do with youthful naivety than bravery. Yet I have walked the streets of Bangkok with this guy as he tried and tried again to tell people about Jesus. I have never seen anyone with greater passion about sharing the beauty of Christ in such darkness. Through his willingness to get off the couch, to quit playing video games, to get on the plane, what has Jesus done?
· A church of Thai people who love Jesus and deeply understand that “it is not by works as if any man should boast” but by grace that we are saved in Jesus Christ.
· Handed out free tickets for Thais to see the “Passion of the Christ” when it was showing in the movie theaters of Thailand (did I mention he was dressed up as Jesus when he handed out the tickets) and then preached in the movie theaters after the movie was over and then again when “The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe” came to town.
· Worshipped all over Thailand. In every part of the country praise songs in Thai with Thai people singing praises and adoration have honored King Jesus.
· Witnessed of the kindness of Jesus in all parts of Thailand to literally ten thousands of peoples.
· Lived out the beauty of family and of a loving husband and wife relationship in a place where these ideals are quite unknown.
· Pulled orphans off the streets and helped them find families.
And for the last 6 months…
· Trips to Pattaya over and over again to worship in the bars and reach out to the prostitutes. The church going along with them made up of ex-prostitutes, former drunks and previous drug users
· They started a Bible study in the last six months (when most people are finishing their Bible studies) with a small group including a couple who have now said, “yes” to Jesus after having said, “no” to Him years before as students in the outreach to college students.
· Trips to Pattaya over and over again to worship in the bars and reach out to the prostitutes. The church going along with them made up of ex-prostitutes, former drunks and previous drug users
· They started a Bible study in the last six months (when most people are finishing their Bible studies) with a small group including a couple who have now said, “yes” to Jesus after having said, “no” to Him years before as students in the outreach to college students.
And the last day in their neighborhood…
· Two people in their neighborhood say yes to Jesus as Russ has parting conversations with them. Tracy says, “We had to leave so these guys we have been praying for forever would get saved.”
They never quit! Many times they wanted to, but they never to the very last day quit. Julie is fond of saying that Jesus never gets on to anyone for believing too much or trying too hard in the face of insurmountable obstacles. But there were those who walked away and preferred “game management" over risk.
· Two people in their neighborhood say yes to Jesus as Russ has parting conversations with them. Tracy says, “We had to leave so these guys we have been praying for forever would get saved.”
They never quit! Many times they wanted to, but they never to the very last day quit. Julie is fond of saying that Jesus never gets on to anyone for believing too much or trying too hard in the face of insurmountable obstacles. But there were those who walked away and preferred “game management" over risk.
I have got to stop and I think you get my point. I know this family is hardly done. Not done in America and definitely not done in Thailand. But I see their faces getting on the plane, and I honestly don’t know what else to do but write and pray. It helps with my pain. Just a little. I am about to go call him one last time before they get on the plane. They are about to board. I see their faces. Beautiful.
When they got on the plane that first time I listened to Rich Mullins’ song “The Other Side of the World.” I think I will go listen to it again:
Well the other side of the world
Is not so far away as I thought that it was
As I thought that it was so far away
But the other side of the world
Is not so far away
And the distance just dissolves into the love
Into the love
And the New Jerusalem won't be as easy to build
As I hoped it would be
As I hoped it would be easy to build
But the New Jerusalem won't be so easy to build
There's many bellies to fill and many hearts to free
Got to set them free
But I see a people who've learned to walk in faith
With mercy in their hearts
And glory on their faces
And I can see the people
And I pray it won't be long
Until Your kingdom comes
And I know that the gates of hell
Are not prone to prevail
As I thought that they were
As I once thought they were prone to prevail
But I know that the gates of Hell
They have been destined to fail
I see Satan impaled on the sword of the Word
On the sword of the Word
And I see the people who have learned to walk in faith
With mercy in their hearts
And glory on their faces
And I can see the people
And I pray it won't be long
Until Your kingdom comes
And I can see the people who have learned to walk in faith
With mercy in their hearts
And glory on their faces
And I can see the people
And I pray it won't be long
Until Your kingdom comes
The other side of the world
Please Pray For Thailand and Burma and China
18.2.08
Read This First!
Hi everyone. Lots of pics below and two blog entries. "Julie's Input" was written by none other than the beauty queen herself. There is a fan club out there always yearning to hear more from her. After this, read "Passed.." and be encouraged by our our good news on many fronts. There are many pics after these blogs as well. Don't miss any of it. Return often. Linger at will. We love you. Thanks for caring about us so deeply!
Peace of Jesus,
Brent, Julie, Ben, Kate and Jak
Peace of Jesus,
Brent, Julie, Ben, Kate and Jak
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