House Father Ajan Mong grillin' Thai style.

Caution: Men at Grill!

                                                       



I unknowingly posted this quote on April Fool's day (thanks for pointing that out Jodie!). It is seriously difficult to keep track of days here, we just don't have the seasonal changes like in the US.

Some good friends shared insightful thoughts regarding this quote and it got me thinking, especially in light of the upcoming elections and general madness that seems to grip our home country.  But I've also been thinking about Thailand, as I live and work in this country that we love, which like my home country, has it's share of good and evil, light and darkness, beauty and brokenness.

I am a Christian, trying to live what I believe is a Christian life: a life proclaiming, exalting and rejoicing in life---because I believe it is God's good gift. Proclaiming the preciousness and infinite value of each and every life, refusing to scale value based on functionality, race, gender, or any other identifying characteristic. Things that give life and enrich life, are the things that I am for, because God is for them.  All the things that steal, kill, or destroy life I am against, and so is God.

Our college student, Pring, giving me a lesson in Ping Pong.

Many of us have not been told about a God like that.  Usually the God we are told about is busy fiercely forbidding as many enjoyable experiences as he can; he's not going to incredible lengths to fill us with life in all of its fullness.  He is portrayed as an angry God, bitterly disappointed in people, and resenting any pleasures they find which are not in line with his arbitrary rules.

 As I survey the political landscape in my home country, I realize that it's very difficult to engage your time and energy, and most importantly your heart, when your sources of hope are so poor (no offense to any followers of the present candidates, but you have more faith than I do if you are confident that any of those people are going to do much to heal the brokenness in America).  

We need a source of hope worth believing in, one worth engaging our whole lives in, as we give to this seemingly hopeless effort to heal the world.  

Easter weekend get-away with our friends of the Thai-Mien church. And a surprise birthday celebration they put on for Audrey.

Audrey's cake: Birthday celebrations (First of like 7!) :)

That is the distinctly good news which I, as a Christian, am tasked with proclaiming: I know Someone worth believing in, Someone worth engaging your whole life for, even if the situation looks hopeless (hint: He is not a politician or business man).  

And choosing to follow His way of life doesn't require a particular sexual orientation, political affiliation, or even full belief.  Any new venture usually begins with an uncertain step.  The invitation is to all who are weary, discontent, discouraged, or fed up. 

Do you want life?  Do you want more from life?  Have you given up on being truly happy?  Have you grown discouraged trying to make the world a better place?  Then what do we have to lose in trying a new way of life?  

Let's not disengage and grow cynical and bitter---come join the mess and struggle that is life under a new Guide!  

Easter trip to with our Thai friends to the mountains---water fall swimming!

Hobbiton? or just a really cool bridge to our cabin.

Grilling some of the Chickens I raised---one chicken weighed 10 lbs---look at that big guy!

   

View from our new neighborhood, rice fields!  Beautiful view and we love getting to know our Thai neighbors.

The shocking discovery for most of us (myself included) is finding out just how much I enjoy entering into the mess and scuttle, and maybe more importantly, how I am changed in the process. 

We have been doing a lot of celebrating here lately.  We celebrated the official government approval for all of our family-style orphan homes.  We celebrated Audrey's 28th birthday (several times) and my Mom's 39th birthday, right Mom? :)  We celebrated the death of death, in the life of Jesus at Easter. 

A BIG day for Faithful Heart!  All of our family-style orphan homes are officially approved by the government!  These are our house parents--the daily care-givers and love-givers to our Faithful Heart children.

  






How do we celebrate so much in the midst of political craziness and in light of very present, and very real evils like sex trafficking?  

Two reasons to celebrate in the midst of brokenness:

First, because we see how we are being changed.  If your faith or religion or spirituality isn't changing you---transforming you into the person you want and ought to be, why not consider another?  

Second, because we see how others are being transformed.  This exposes the lie that if you can't change everything, then no change matters.  Exactly how much is one life worth?  If my paltry, little effort of engagement can prevent one little girl from being trafficked in Thailand, exactly what is that worth? 

Your life matters in ways you can't begin to imagine, at least until you begin to comprehend the infinite value of a single life, a life whom you could impact. 

Easter Sunday at our International Church--great message from dad! Easter Baby and my beautiful wife!

My faith is not a set of beliefs or rules. It is the astonishing news that the good God who made our good world, came to rescue us (just read the news if your aren't sure if we need saving). Things went badly, but He came to give life---right here, right now.  He is still giving life (just ask those of us who are trying to follow His way).  

The invitation is open to all. Not just an invitation to go to heaven when you die, but an invitation to come join the most unlikely conspiracy you could ever imagine to heal the world, starting now. 

Through turning from wrong to right, forgiveness, and sacrificial love: transformed individuals, transforming the world.  "Blessed are you if you hunger for things to be right, for you shall be satisfied."  

Christianity is not primarily a set of opinions about God, but an allegiance to a Master, a living Person we follow; someone worth hoping in. 

Audrey's birthday celebrations usually last about a week---so many people love her!

Our sweet German friend is a midwife.  While she checked Audrey and the baby, Selma and I took selfies! Selma and I  don't speak the same language, except that of fun and love :)

Baby Pound is getting bigger and stronger all the time. We sometimes lie in bed at night and watch little ninja kicks bump from inside Audrey's belly.  All the cute kids we get to hang out with make us more and more excited to meet our son.  Audrey has been so healthy, we are just grateful.  Thank you for your many generous and thoughtful gifts!  

May God give you strength and help to transform your discontent into the change you wish to see in the world.  The invitation to engage and join in, to be healed and to heal, still stands. Welcome to the struggle---and to life!  

We feel incredibly rich to have you as friends.  Thank you for your encouragement, comments, love and for just being you.  

Love you guys,
Matt & Audrey