Back in the States

Back in the U.S. (and with sushi...yum)

Greetings to everyone in Christ Jesus! It has been a while since my last update but I hope everyone is doing well in our Lord, just as I am doing well under the care of our sovereign Savior. I don't know why I continue to be surprised to see God's hand at work in my life, but truly more and more, He's showing me that with Him, "all things are possible" (Mat. 19:26).

My arrival in the U.S. has been delayed due to some political unrest in Thailand concerning the red-shirt campaign to overthrow the current prime minister. Because a lot of their protest rallies were being held in Bangkok, where my visa was being done, some government workers decided to play it safe and not come to work for a few days, being unsure of the violence level that the red-shirts were going to implement. Anyhow, I'm back safe and sound without a scratch thanks to those who have been praying for me.

I met with my church mission board, Trinity Christian Headquarters, in Sanger, CA, about upcoming plans for ministry. I am incredibly blessed to be working with such a dedicated staff who, in spite of working for and with a stubborn people group, have overcome many odds in their determination to reach our people for God's Kingdom. Key leaders that have truly inspired and encouraged me the most are Pastor Ching Zohng Her and his wife, Rebekah. You two hold such a special place in my heart and I can never thank you enough for the encouragement that you have given me through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I have also met up with many of our encouraging pastors and youth members, being incredibly blessed by their hospitality throughout Fresno, Merced, Stockton, Sacramento, and Portland. It is such an amazing privilege to travel, speak God's message as given to me through the Holy Spirit, and see many sights and people who have a heart on fire for God and to see His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Truly, the Lord is stirring up a movement among the nations, He is doing something great among the Hmong, something SO astounding, that many will not believe even if they were told (Hab 1:5). He has us in the palm of His hands (Is. 49:16).

I have also had the opportunity to visit family and friends...even my childhood neighborhood in the small town of Atwater! Only God can be so gracious to surround me with loved ones who care about me and support what the Lord is doing. It just feels strange, after a long time of intense trials, one after the other, having a strong sense of loneliness, being unsure of direction, meaning, and the purpose of my stay in Thailand, of having to enforce self-discipline and self-restraint due to a lack of monetary funds, almost starving, getting lost in a strange city, and all the while trying to maintain a peace of mind after undergoing many misunderstandings and criticisms from dear family and friends, that I think I'm finally ready to surrender everything and be used fully by God for His purposes and for His glory. I guess you could say I went through Suffering 101. Nothing says it better than 2 Cor. 12:10: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Now, I'm being incredibly spoiled with all kinds of amazing food, love, care, hospitality, people I can speak to without much difficulty, American food, sushi, pho, egg rolls, Asian bbq, mint and chocolate chip ice cream, oh my goodness...whatever I desire, God gives. And whatever I need, He provides. His faithfulness truly is amazing. But what has blessed me more than anything is to have fellowship with those whose hearts are touched by God. Now I understand what Paul was getting at when he prayed that the Church would be "encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:2-3).

There are a few more churches to go! I have yet to speak and fund-raise at the following churches on these dates:

Holy Trinity Christian Church, Hickory, NC - May 2nd
Almighty Trinity Church, Charlotte, NC - May 23rd
3 of our MN churches - May 29th
House of God, St. Paul, MN - May 30th
Wisconsin - June 5-6

My goal at the end the summer is to raise approximately $6,000 for the following needs:

Cash budget (one-time needs):

Need	Amount
Plane ticket	$1500
Motorbike	$1000
3 months savings	$1500
Visa Fees	$1000
Start-up costs for housing	$200
Total	$5200

Monthly Budget:

Need	Amount
Living expenses and utilities	$150
Work Funds	$250
Retirement
Social Security
Insurance
Taxes (motorbike, insurance, etc.)	$400+

Please pray for me:

-that I will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to speak His message, His words, from His wisdom and not my own
-to have the confidence needed to spread it boldly and without hindrance, everywhere He opens the doors for me to go
-For God's will to be done, that I may follow His leading back to Thailand in August
-to raise enough funds for the bare essentials
-to have an active prayer team who are dedicated to praying for me and other harvest workers

**And above all, please pray for the Hmong, that we may be a people united in love, with generous hearts toward the needy, hearts that are on fire for God and His work, and for the churches to wake up from their slumber and be what God has called them to be--salt and light to the world (before He removes our lamp stands from its place [Rev. 2:5]).

During my morning devotion from 2 Corinthians 1, these particular verses popped out to me:

Nws pab peb dim ntawm txojkev tuag uas txaus ntshai heev, Nws yeej yuav pab kom peb dim; thiab peb cia siab hais tias Nws tseem yuav pab peb mus lawm yav tom ntej rau qhov nej niaj hnub thov Vajtswv pab peb. Yog muaj coob leej thov Vajtswv pab peb,

1) Vajtswv yuav teb sawvdaws tej lus thov, thiab
2) Vajtswv yuav foom koob hmoov rau peb, thiab
3) yuav muaj coob leej ua Vajtswv tsaug vim Vajtswv pab peb (v. 10-11)

This can only be found in the Hmong version of the Bible. Here is a brief English translation:

He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us; we have placed our hope in Him that He will deliver us again because of your daily prayers for us. If there are many who will help pray for us, 1) God will answer your prayers, 2) God will bless us, and 3) there will be many who will rejoice in thanksgiving [because of His aid for us]

So remember, the key is to pray, pray, pray!

I also want to give a special shout out to every church that the Lord has opened up the way for me to go to, the TCC churches of Fresno, Merced, Sacramento, Stockton, and Portland. Because of their generosity, I was able to raise approximately $3,500 already (meeting more than half my budget)! I don't know about you guys, but when Hmong folks are giving money, especially that much money towards doing God's work, it's GOT to mean something! I am being touched by seeing God move through the hearts of His people in uniting us for His cause, making our hearts generous in helping ministry workers and the needy alike, as well as a sense of loyalty to the Good News of Jesus Christ that we have received as His Body, His holy Bride, the Church. Father God in heaven, let our light shine before men so that they may see our good deeds (spurred by the Holy Spirit) and praise you in heaven (Mat 5:16)! Amen.

To visit my page from Trinity Christian Headquarters' Mission Department, click here.