Anyone up for sticky rice & mango?

There are two kinds of people in this world - those who have been to Thailand, tasted sticky rice and mango and can't get enough of it; and then those who havent tasted sticky rice and mango. It's really that simple. Trust you may be encouraged by what God has been doing in Northbound 2011 on the road from India to Thailand!

 In the blink of an eye, time has flown as we moved on from India and are already about to leave Thailand. It’s been a time of refreshing, personally, as well as for the team. We have been so blessed to take in the fullness of God’s majesty with so many opportunities to experience the splendor of His beautiful creation. Exploring the beauty of Nainital (Northern India) on horseback, a breath-taking view of the Himalayan peaks and an unforgettable day visiting the Phi Phi islands just off Phuket. And then the realisation of the greatest miracle of all - that this one True Living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, loves you and me so much that He would send His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, to pay the penalty for our sins in order to have an intimate relationship with you and me.

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8)

We ended off our time in India with a week in Varenasi followed by a week in Nainital. Our time in Varenasi was an intense time spiritually. Varenasi, which runs along the Ganges River, is largely regarded as the spiritual hub of India. We spent the majority of the time standing in the gap for the city and praying for the people who are so entrapped in idolatry. It was so sad to realise just how lost the people are. It struck me as I realised the incredible grace that God has had over my life. To be born in South Africa, a country that has traditionally been governed under Christian principles and more than that - to be born into family that loves God. The general population of Varenasi (and India for that matter) are born into generations of idolatry. They are so utterly blinded to the truth. What a privilege it was to claim these people for God! As I was reminded by my friend SG, every person is born into this world with a God-sized void. People all over the world are continuously striving to fill this void in their life (whether consciously or sub-consciously). The reality is that only God can fill this God-sized void.

We had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with Rahul and Tannie Raenie who both have ministries in Varenasi. Rahul has a ministry that focuses on working with the children who have made the Varenasi train station their home and means of life. He has so many dreams in other areas of ministry for the future.  Tannie Raenie runs the Open Hands Coffee Shop in Varenasi (our haven!) & ndash; she was our surrogate mother during our time and we were so blessed to share a meal at her home. Our time in ended off with the team surprising me with an amazing afternoon at a local hotel pool to celebrate my birthday. Something I would never have imagined in India!

At the start of the year we had no specific plans for our last week in India. And this was the case until only two days before we had to make a decision. We prayed a lot as a team regarding where God wanted us to go. After putting together the puzzle of what God showed to each individual we felt strongly in our hearts that we were being directed to Nainital in northern India. And what a week it was!

We felt that God wanted us to be refreshed in His beauty during this time. Some of us went exploring Nainital on horseback which was a wonderful afternoon. And then the highlight of Nainital was a view of the Himalayan peaks – despite the fact that the peaks were in the far distance, I felt so incredibly small!

And then we headed off to Thailand. And besides my newly discovered favorite food of sticky rice and mango, Thailand has so much more to offer! Apart from the beautiful landscape and warm sea, the people are very friendly. On arrival in Bangkok, the two Northbound teams (Red and Lime team) embarked on a challenge (something like amazing race) from Bangkok to Phuket. Elbe and myself took the easy option of a connecting flight to Phuket. However after hearing the amazing stories of both teams and how God provided for them along the way, I certainly missed out!

After the teams had regrouped after the challenge, we spent 3 days camping at Nai Yang beach (North Phuket). A wonderful time for team bonding and reflection of what God had been doing. From Nai Yang beach the Red and Lime team split to different ministry points for the remainder of our time in Thailand. I joined Red team to Thalang (Phuket) – a 15 minute hitch-hike south.

In Thalang we met up with Tobie – A South African living in Phuket. We were based at Anuban Thalang Wittaya School where we served the school by painting and helping with the children. It was a wonderful opportunity to show the love of God. We spent the mornings and afternoons working, with an extended lunch break as a respite from the heat of the day. We used this time to start a study of Acts. We have continued this study throughout our time in Thailand – God’s word is truly living and active as we have experienced during these times during which we have been both encouraged and challenged to be the church of Christ and to continue the work that we have been commissioned to.

During this time we were so encouraged by the teaching and testimony of Tobie and his wife, Mali (a Thai national). Tobie is truly an example of unconditional love and radical obedience to Christ. We also had a wonderful time getting to know Kiranee, the principle of the school. We are trusting God to work in her life is big ways! She treated us to an amazing all-you-can-eat dinner the last night in Thaland (a very special treat on a year of Global Challenge! Let’s just say that most of us rolled home)

The sad reality of Thailand is that it has become known worldwide for its sex-worker trade. We went to Phatong (known for its night life) one evening under the covering of Tobie to stand in the gap for the town and to claim the area for God. We believe that God is able to do a mighty work in this area!

And then another highlight of the year thus far – a day trip to Phi Phi island and other islands just off Phuket. Wow wow wow! It was something very special – a somewhat surreal experience. It took us a while to fully absorb what we were experiencing.

And yes, for those who are wondering, we are on a mission trip :-)

And then it was time for Red team to move on to our next ministry point in Takuapa. After an interesting 2 hour hitch-hike on the back of a fish delivery van we were met by the incredibly humble Pastor Wassan. Pastor Wassan has so many amazing stories of serving God over the years. He has been actively involved in rebuilding the coastline of Thailand after the Tsunami hit in 2004. He has build over 100 houses for those displaced after the Tsunami and continues with numerous projects as he serves God in the community of Takuapa. He pastors a small church at the Community Centre at which we were based. We helped him with a number of small jobs during our time including working in the garden of the community centre.

Pastor Wassan also treated us to an afternoon visit to James Bond Island – the blessings just keep on coming!

Our time in Takuapa was capped off with a visit to one of the villages devasted by the Tsunami as well as the Tsunami memorial. Again a surreal experience with a lot to absorb and a significant afternoon personally as I laid some important desires and dreams in my life before the Lord. What an awesome God we serve!

As I type this update, we are on a bus from Takuapa to Bangkok. We are flying out to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (7 May) for 3 days in transit to China.

We have experienced God in a very real way over the last few weeks. As David writes in Psalm 34, we have tasted and seen that God is good! And all the time God is good! More often than not we have been short on finances and God has always provided!

I am reminded of the words of John Piper that “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him”.

Are you satisfied in God? Seek Him. He is waiting for you.

Love in Christ,

Jonathan

Prayer requests:

• Finances – despite God providing for me personally, our team is still very short on finances for the year. We are really trusting God for his provision! If you feel led to contribute, please see the banking details belowJ
• China – This is a very challenging country to serve God in. Please pray for God’s protection over us
• Mali (Tobie’s wife) – After a scooter accident a few years back, she needs to go for another urgent operation. They need 300,000 Baht for this (approx. R65,000)

Banking details:

Bank:                            ABSA

Branch Details:             31 Da Gamma Road, Jeffreys Bay, 6330, South Africa

Branch Code:                 334515

Account name:              GCX-One Year

Account number:            9206958383

Reference:                     Northbound