Going Back to Thai Church

This was my experience going back to my Thai church here in Chiang Mai called, "Light of Sansai Church" (คริสตจักรส่องสว่าง). I only understood bits and pieces...welcome back to Thailand, Mydur! :) Most people don't think it's much of a struggle for a Hmong person such as myself to learn Thai. What they don't know is that I have to learn Thai just like every Westerner...the only thing that gives me an advantage is that the Hmong language contains 8 tones, of which 5 of those are already in the Thai language (praise God!). 


So this is the routine--it's Sunday school with Pastor Bunsoem Sankhamphae (Xibfwb Zaam Nug Yaaj), then it's worship, special songs, offering, communion, prayer for children, sermon, then eating afterwards (my favorite part! [the teaching would be my favorite part if I understood more]). One of the things I miss the most about being in the States is the worship and teaching. At least I would understand just about 100% of that. Seeing that I'm lacking in this area, I would have to spend extra individual devotion time with God (which is always nice, but I have to intentionally make time for it or else it won't happen). *Sigh* The life of a missionary :) God is good.


One thing I've realized by being over here is that my spiritual walk with God can feel dry if I'm not intentionally (and consistently) putting forth effort into our relationship. Usually, I would find inspiration from a book, sermon, someone, or something and it would keep me going for a while--like getting energy from food to keep going everyday. Of course, our daily bread is the Word of God but I also find it quite helpful to see how it is explained and applied in various ways through the different and creative personalities of God's children--ordinary people who use their extraordinary God-given gifts of teaching to edify the Body of Christ. When I read about great people like Billy Graham or Elisabeth Elliott, I can see that they are constantly quoting someone or finding their inspiration from somewhere. Recent things that have sparked my energy are:


Jaeson Ma's speech on prayer at Newsong Irvine Church
Paul David Washer's "Shocking Message" on entering the Kingdom (Matthew 7)
Chip Ingram's "Facing the Future with Confidence" lecture series


Great stuff! If you guys check it out, let me know what you think! ;) 

May God be with you, encourage you, and use you right where you are! 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength." -Ephesians 1:18,19

On My Way - Journey to Thailand

Believers, Unite!

This past Monday, the day after the 4th of July, some friends and I got together for old times' sake. We had all been involved with a not-yet-official organization called Unity--the gathering of youth from various denominations to praise and worship God together. In the past, we have hosted and coordinated a fellowship day, a 3-day camp, and an outreach effort at the Hmong New Year of 2008 in doing skits, praise and worship, and manning our own booth distributing free water.

Anyway, I haven't seen these guys in what seems like FOREVER. So, my sister, Goldshoua, and I dropped by Charlotte on Monday for a quick hangout. Well, I'll tell you one thing--it wasn't quick (lol) but it was definitely worth the 2-hour trip. I was so incredibly encouraged by these guys that it was sad to bid them farewell! :(

From left to right: Joseph Vang, Johnny Kue, Mydur Xiong (me), Ben Vang, Goldshoua Xiong (my sister), Josh Vang

We watched the movie, The Last Airbender, that night and it was just absolutely...uh, well, let's just say we had more fun tearing it apart afterwards! :) We laughed and laughed till our pizza-filled bellies hurt. The rest of the night consisted of exchanging prayer requests, spirit-filled conversations, and a few games of banana grams (it's so fun, I think I'm addicted to that now).

What really touched me that night was how each person in their own unique way contributed well to the fellowship that night. As we exchanged prayer requests, instead of running down a bulleted list, we carefully discussed why our hearts were burdened for such things--and with that, every person offered what was heavy on their heart about it as well. For instance, topics of battling lust, self-esteem in appearance, finding one's calling in life, one's role in edifying the body of Christ as the Church, cultural issues in the Asian vs. Western mindset and how that plays a role in ministry...*sigh* it was all very filling to the soul. :) I love how God works; and I am incredibly blessed and honored to constantly hear about it through the testimonies of His children. That night, though we were all a part of different denominations (Methodist, C&MA, Trinity), we were able to build one another up and encourage one another according to God's command in Ephesians 4:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I am continually being reminded that we are the future leaders of our generation (1 Timothy 4:12)--and praise God, I see many already picking up that torch and starting on this race that is marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).

Unity is an essential issue right now for the Hmong, both in Thailand and the U.S...please keep us constantly in your prayers. Thanks...

The Original Belief of the Hmong--Christianity?

So…I have heard two separate accounts about how the Hmong used to believe in God and worship Him alone. The first was when Pastor Somboon (Kaub) mentioned it to me in the summer of 2008. He mentioned a meeting of many witch doctors that got together and talked about how, in the past, the Hmong indeed worshipped one deity, the one true God, but have now turned aside from Him and unto idols that were given to us by other cultures. The second account was when one of the deacons at my church, Chaneng (Tsav Neej), mentioned how, before the great fall of the Hmong in the war against the Chinese, they worshipped one God and through Him, were successful in battle. However, just like Samson, they were deceived by the beautiful Chinese women and fell away in their faith. They were given over to the worship of meaningless idols, animism, and ancestral spirits. Coincidence? Or truth?

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ--the End Times

I had this dream in Thailand--sometime before my return to the United States in late March. It was in a unique sense, prophetic; I am still trying to figure out the real meaning behind it.

I was walking with a new friend and we came across a forest that seemed more like a battlefield. There were dead bodies lying everywhere...demons and humans were in the middle of combat! Everywhere we looked, the demons seemed to be winning as they beat down every human who crossed their path. "What is this?" My new friend asked. "What's going on here?" "It must be the end times," I answered her, being surprised that those words had escaped my lips at that moment. "Jesus is coming, and the demons know that their time is short. Therefore, they are trying to do all they can before He comes back." I looked up and saw a fenced off area where the demons seemed to be carrying people into captivity. Just then, I saw my father and one of the deacons from my home church approach the gate of the prison. "What are you guys doing?!" I yelled at them. "Don't go in there! You're going to get yourselves killed!" My father answered, "We have to go in there. We have no choice!" I was getting ready to say more when I saw my mother in the corner of my eye with a bushel of twigs, their ends puffing up in smoke. I immediately turned my attention to her. "What?! Mom, what are you doing here?" She goes, "Well, I have to go rescue the captives. If we don't set the captives free, how else are they going to get out?" she asked me. I groaned, knowing that what she said was true, yet I knew she would have to risk her life for such a cause. My mother and one of the women from the church rushed in as my father and the deacon from before came charging out carrying someone on a stretcher.

And then I woke up.

Watched by Angels

When I arrived at the Greyhound station in Milwaukee, I had some time to just sit and think while waiting for Josh Thao, the youth president of TCC Milwaukee, to come pick me up. I sat down and started going through my goodie bags packed by Dora and Pua (you guys are awesome! Thanks^^). Spotting a bag of gummy bears, I pulled it out and thought to myself, Gosh, I really don’t like gummy bears…God, if it’s pleasing to You, let me bless someone tonight with these. Initially, I had thought that I would just give them to someone at the pastor’s house that I would be staying at, perhaps Josh or one of his brothers. Yet, being inspired by Jaeson Ma’s 365 Days of Love project, I secretly asked God to provide an opportunity to do so right then and there at the bus station.

After praying that prayer, I looked up and saw a little girl. She was a toddler and she was crying for her mother’s attention. I stared at them, then looked back down at my bag of gummy bears. Hmm…do I really want to do this? I thought to myself. Then again, who could turn down such an offer? I mean, it’s only a bag of gummy bears! :) What have I to be afraid of, right? So I walked on over and said, “A friend packed these gummy bears for me but I don’t really like them. You can give them to your daughter…I mean, I saw her crying and…” “THANKS!” was the mother’s reply. “That’s very kind of you!” “Oh, it’s no problem,” I said with a smile. “I just didn’t want to waste them.” I went and sat back down. Within a few minutes, the mother and her friend beside her walked back over and thanked me again...and again. They must have really appreciated it.

Another couple of minutes passed by and a man who sat a couple of seats away from me asked if he could use my phone. He said that his minutes were almost out. Being empowered by the gummy bear incident, I almost yelled, “Sure!!” being confident that I was shining like a bright star for God that night. However, this man, while using my phone, kept staring at it suspiciously. He asked to use it several times, and I allowed him to every time. Yet…I kept a close eye on him. Oh God, please don’t let him steal my phone. Please don’t let him steal my phone! I’m traveling and if I have no way of contacting people, I don’t know what I’d do without it! The man gave it back to me and said that he couldn’t contact his ride. He said that she only lived close by…Feeling sorry for the guy, I said that perhaps, if my ride would let, we could drop him off if she wasn’t too far from the station. I then thought, Oh my goodness, Mydur! What are you doing? You don’t know him! You can’t trust him! I then again secretly prayed a prayer that God would keep me, His child, safe and under His care in all circumstances. It was at this time that Josh arrived. I had asked Josh and he said it was fine to drop this man off. However, the man confessed that he didn’t know where her house was. And to that, the only thing I could say was, “Well, I hope you can reach her. I wish we could help. Good luck!” I smiled. I sincerely meant that but I was also relieved that God had taken that responsibility off my shoulders.

As I walked out, I wasn’t sure if I did the right thing or not. Yet, when I passed through sliding doors, a man who sat close-by looked up at me, looked away, and smiled. He had been watching me the whole time. I don't know why, but I smiled too and left with a good feeling.

Psalm 91:1
"For He will order His angels to protect you in all you do"

Give Your Coat Away

The other day on my way back from Milwaukee, I encountered interesting experiences with those on the plane.



The first was with a scientist. It seemed like she wanted to start a conversation with me sometime during the plane flight. However, I was consumed with the book I was reading at that moment entitled, How to Cast Out Demons . I am almost positive that in the corner of my eye, I saw her lean forward to look at the title of the book, made a face, and resumed her normal position. I felt a small blow to my faith at that moment, kind of almost embarrassed that I was publicly reading about such a topic. Yet, a smile crept across my face as I realized that nothing was wrong with what I was reading about. What can people do to me? I am simply equipping myself with the knowledge necessary to perform my job well...right? :) Hey, I don't say anything to those who are reading vampire romance novels. If they have the freedom to do that, why can't I do my own thing?



Second, I had the opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love but failed. My next plane was unusually cold--the staff said something was wrong with the air conditioning system and it was difficult for them to do anything about it. Well, there came a point where it was FREEZING and I grabbed my sweater (always be prepared just in case!). It was then that I noticed the man next to me. He was an African-American in what seemed like his late twenties to early thirties. He broke out into goosebumps and quickly pulled his arms underneath the shelter of his thin red t-shirt. Suddenly, I heard, "Give your coat to him." I thought "...What? You must be joking!" Then I heard it again. "Give your coat to him. How many layers do you have on?" "Three," I answered. I wore a thin tank underneath a white polo tee with the blue knit sweater on top. "How many does he have?" I glanced at the man and reluctantly answered, "One...but God, I don't think you know how cold it is! I get so cold so easily...I mean, it's his fault that he didn't bring a coat of his own!" A few moments passed by, and as it got warmer, I took off my coat and then offered it to the man. He said, "No, it's okay. It's warmer now. I'll be fine." Then I heard God say, Now you offer him the coat? Ouch! That hurt but I needed to hear it. What if that was an angel in disguise? Or what if it was Jesus himself?

Luke 3:11
And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none

Matthew 25:45
"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'