jim larson's thoughts

Family Video

Would Jesus use computers?

We started to make this video for a contest that we found out about just hours before the deadline. We didn't make it, but finished it anyway.

The quality is better, at least for me, if viewed directly on youtube.

Very cool church

I didn't like a couple of my more recent posts.  The 'net already has enough blogs and web sites by Christians criticizing stuff other Christians do.  To be sure, criticism itself isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Look at the way Jesus took it to the Pharisees.  But here I'd rather focus positively on living like Jesus and keep the criticism at minimum.  After all, I think a big reason that people don't live like Jesus is we really don't take the time to ask how to do it.

I teared up at the end of this video.  "If I'm not being taken advantage of, I'm not being like Jesus."  There you go.

Will the real Jesus please stand up?

Some of the commentary on my previous post, "Kingdom Coolness", reminded me of a poem by British author Steve Turner. 

This poem was written in the 1970's.  The coolness movement might call for some updates to this poem, but in deference to Steve and my need for sleep, I'll pass on attempting that myself.  You get the idea.

I do want to re-emphasize however that I'm not saying that the coolness stuff is all bad.  Much of it is quite good and I am grateful for it.  I just think we'd all agree that we need to be careful, to not let our packaging of Jesus get in the way of who He really is and how He may peronally want to confront us and the cultures we live in.

Just what is a mission trip, anyway?

Word is coming in of mission trips being canceled, even trips to Thailand, because of the H1N1 flu scare. 

Whie a mission can be a self-declared purpose, in its Christian usage it refers to being sent, not only by a church or agency, but ultimately by Jesus Himself.

Does Jesus send people on missions, only to cancel due to an unexpected possible risk?

We made our family exploratory trip to Thailand during the SARS scare of 2004.  Flight attendants all wore masks, and we had to fill out a questionnaire upon arrival, verifying that we weren't sick.  Lots of trips were cancelled that year as well.  A friend commented then, "We should be going to pray for the sick, not staying home."  

Kingdom Coolness

Over the last few years, churches have discovered coolness.

A pastor friend of mind likes to attend the cool church conferences around the country--hip, branded events with names like Q, Echo, Exponential and Orange.  Q--the ultimate coolness name--is happening right now. I saw it on my friend's Facebook page and looked at the site.  Among the presentations this year are "Justice in the Suburbs", "Ensuring Social Entrepreneur Success" and "The Spirituality of the Cell Phone".

I am all for coolness in church.  I think Jesus was incredibly cool.  It's too bad that Clint Eastwood was never given a role playing Jesus.  I can picture him, writing in the dirt, "Where's the man?", then standing up with his back to the sun, calmly eyeing the blustering Pharisees with rocks in hand for a few timeless seconds, spitting at a beetle, then another pause, and finally monotoning a raspy "He who is without sin, go ahead . . . ." 

But I'm not sure that the current focus on coolness is even close to that of Jesus, because, at least as far as I can tell from my outside vantage point, it seems more concerned with packaging Jesus in cool ways than actually being like Jesus.  Jesus was cool because he was simply genuine and unpretentious, whether letting a prostitute kiss his feet or chasing temple merchants with a whip.  The current movement seems more concerned mainly with interacting with cultural ideas and forms, both affirming and critiquing.  To be sure, I see this as a huge improvement over the church's historical tendency to either criticize or ignore most of culture outside of christendom (besides the Super Bowl), or perhaps worse, to approve or reject cultural forms based on nothing other than traditional taste.  When I was at Wheaton in the 70's, secular classical musicians were hailed in concerts at Edman Chapel while master guitarist Phil Keaggy was relegated to the gym.  In that we've come a long way.

So churches are cooler now, but is it the right kind?  Is it getting us any closer towards really making genuine disciples of all nationalities, or is it in fact simply bringing our window dressing up to date?  It's one thing to be cool because it makes for good marketing, and another because it's simply who you are, single mindedly focused on your mission. One must ask: if our focus were more on directly being like Jesus than honing our packaging, may we not only be far more cool, but far more effective?

Something's gotta change

Today Sophia, a former student, brought a 16 year-old by the house to see if she might join The Well.  Fon lives with her alcoholic, abusive dad and 11 year-old brother.  Her inner wounds became obvious within minutes of conversation.  When she was out of earshot, I exclaimed to Sophia, "She's been raped."  "Yes, that's right," Sophia replied.  Fon also gave herself a drug-induced abortion last year.

I wanted badly to just walk around the table, put my arms around Fon and tell her, "Here is a man who loves you.  Here is a man who won't hurt you."  But Thai culture isn't much for hugs, and besides it would have been a too quick in any culture, especially for someone hurt by men like this.

Fon's older sister is not far away, living with a boyfriend.  He just wants to be with her for fun, not get married.  When he told Fon's sister, she cut her left arm repeatedly.

We don't have a safe place for someone as wounded and love-starved as Fon.  The neighborhood around our main centers is too drug-infested.  I'll call Joyce at Abba House tomorrow. 

When we moved here nearly 5 years ago, Fon was 11.  Much of her hurt has happened since then.  Of course we couldn't have known her--she lives in another province.  But it made me think of how many more have been so badly hurt even in the few years since we came here; how many thousands were abused just this last week.

We can't keep letting this happen, folks.

Five things I would do

full time if I could clone myself:

1. Outreach.  Street Pastor of Sukhumvit, something like that.

2. Start a healing/recovery home for broken teen girls and young women.

3. Rural community development in Buriram or another province.

4. Build an international network that works to reduce the sex industry in Thailand.

5. Plant a non-traditional, culturally relevant urban church.

6. Start an alternative school for poor kids and young adults who have missed their opportunity to learn, if they ever had one.

7. Oversee The Well.  Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be doing that already.

Roll over, everyone!

I'm sorry for my warped sense of humor, but I ran across this ad and found it just too funny to pass up.

A different kind of hood

One of my long-time dreams has been to see more folks from urban and minority backgrounds helping out in God's plan to show His love to every family on earth.  Another dream is to do something about the desperate lack of help and opportunity for teens and young adults.  Despite laws requiring children to complete 9th grade, thousands drop out before then.  Many leave the villages for the cities, looking for work.  Here they find higher cost of living, low pay for honest jobs and nothing to do in their free time.  The girls get drawn towards karaoke bars, where they work as paid "companions", making commissions on drinks.  This gets them addicted to the alcohol-drug-party life, which in turn opens the door for prostitution.  The guys also get hooked into drinking, drugs and gambling, if for no other reason than there is nothing else to do in Bangkok.  There are almost no low-cost recreational faciilties or parks, no youth clubs or drop-in centers.  Ask 10 of these young men and women what they want to do with their life, and 9 will have no idea.  This problem is key--if we are to see fewer girls hitting the bars, we need to build opportunities for both guys and girls to head in a positive direction.  We know of no Christian ministry addressing this need.

With these two dreams I was more than pleasantly surprised when Frank Santiago, 25, showed up last January as a part of a 3-person team coming to help Prang in Buriram.  Frank, whose given name is Francisco, grew up in inner-city Philadelphia.  "I got relatives in gangs, in jail, the whole bit," he told me, not proudly.  Frank credits a good persistent mom with keeping out of that life.  He came to the Lord as a boy and grew up in a good church.

While his initial commitment was 3 months, Frank came prepared to stay for the long haul if God should say so.  At this point Frank feels that God has said so.  Seeing the directionless youth of Buriram in a way feels a lot like back in the hood, so has wasted little time in diving hard into language study while introducing timid teens to basketball and hip-hop.

After his 2 other team members leave, Frank will spend time with us in Bangkok for training and language study.  From there we'll see where God leads.  Of course we'll also be looking for more help.

Blog 2.0

Ok, I took a few months off.  We go through seasons here where things just get so chaotic that it's hard to know where your head is.  Among other things we almost always have guests in our home--not just 1 or 2, but often 5 or 6.  This week we have 10--guests, not total people, which would be 15.

It also seemed like the subject matter was getting repetitive, at least for me anyway, and it was even getting hard for me to keep track of all the different pseudonyms I was using for different students at The Well.  Finally, as I drifted from writing, I noticed that hardly anyone wrote to complain.  

At the same time, it's not like I've run out of things to say.  Over the last few months I've been considering a restart, but with a new, broader vantage point.  I intend to continue to report on lessons learned from The Well, but would like to spend more time on more general topics relating to living like Jesus. They won't be long essays, mostly just short mentions.

Here's the first:

I have been following the story of Raymond Guay, the convicted child murderer in New Hampshire, David Pinckney's family who took him because they felt God wanted them to, and the town citizens who are literally up in arms about it.  You can't find a better example of what living like Jesus is all about.  "I was a stranger and you took me in." 

There's a good article in the Concord Monitor.  The comments below are especially telling. I'm not saying that people don't have reason for concern.  But the contrast of the fear and hatred of some commenters, next to the Pinckney's love for Raymond, and trust in God for their ultimate protection is remarkable to say the least.

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John
Posts: 17

Bangkok Prostition on the Rise
Reply #17 on : Tue January 20, 2009, 20:39:34

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As a foreign teacher in Thailand I came here to help children to improve their education in a developing nation but of late I have become increasingly concerned at the massive increase in prostitution especially in the tourist areas of Bangkok. It has clearly been here a long time but recently I have been totally stunned to see the massive increase in the number of girls stretching themselves in desperation to get money by any means possible. I have witnessed thousands upon thousands of women in these areas, especially Nana and the Sukhumvit around the Arab quarter, desperate to survive.
Forget the nonsense about stereotypical crack whore - oh no, these are Tesco girls, salon workers, beauticians, florists, fat girls, older women, short women, tattooed girls, ladyboys; every walk of life, desperate for money for a multitude of reasons. But nearly always the same basic reason - desperate for money and usually not themselves but their family. The price that many young girls pay, especially from Isan, is extremely high; attempting to live out the dream of coming to Bangkok to earn money for a desperate family is just all too familiar. The credit crisis really hits home here at the bottom of the pile-so many poor suffer for gross negligence of governments and big business. The human suffering at the other end has to be seen to be believed.
I find it incredible just to see bars filled to overflowing with women of all ages and less farangs than ever, as many tourists have cancelled flights (although the numbers of Arabs and other non-Anglo Saxon groups seems to be stable). Definitely less money from tourism, even if sex-industry based, increases the need for money for others as many poor lose whatever income they had and inflation continues. The money flow slows and causes a knock on effect for so many others. The result is a deep psychological impact on women.
I reject their claims of "oh it's just a job, or just don't think about it too much". Especially in highly conservative Thai society, these girls must suffer greatly. Yes it MUST be shameful to them when others find out, whilst they attempt to keep everything a secret to everyone else. If you push these girls to speak truthfully, then all the emotion comes out -none of them really want to do this work, they just hope they will get enough to overcome whatever problem they have. But the real problem appears for the long term effects especially in standards of their mental health and social status. Once they get used to the cash for “big” money (big by their standards, real cheap by farang standards) they get locked into a cycle.
Now the answer; well there is no quick fix! A police crack down is definitely not the answer and is open to all forms of corruption in any developing nation. No it has to be a combination of cultural change and governmental initiatives. The reality is until the Thai government manages to stabilize its long term political instability, improves rights and standards for low class workers, increases their leadership to look for visionaries not just bureaucrats, and then looks at improved fiscal policies with long term job improvement schemes; the poor, most of all will suffer. Combined with no real welfare system, it’s fairly obvious where especially desperate women will end up. I therefore applaud the actions of outreach workers who at least aim to assist in the interim and I can only wish them the best as my heart is heavy when I see Thailand going backwards in this area and hope the suffering of these women will truly one day be less.

Jeremy
Posts: 17

Project Rescue
Reply #16 on : Mon May 26, 2008, 08:33:14

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Ever heard of Project Rescue? I just heard about it from a friend who went to college with the founders' daughter. Seems very similar to what servantworks is doing!

http://www.projectrescue.com/frontpage.php

Earn
Posts: 17

the latest postcard
Reply #15 on : Tue April 01, 2008, 13:12:41

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I'm Thai and support The well a ministry of servant works through my pray, money. I am really appreciated what you are doing for those who have no opportunity in their live and live in the darkness. I am still support your ministries. But one of my concern and it is bothering me a lot is the latest postcard which I just received couple weeks ago. I truely understand what happen in Thailand about women and teenager. Of course they are disrespect to their body, mind, soul and God by exchange it through sex for money. Can you use another word instead of Thailand's sex workers. It's sound harsh and it is hurtful. I understand that you want to wake people up through this postcard but I think there is some way else to do it.
One more thing, in the picture I see young innocent teen. I don't know who they are. They can be one of them who exchange their body with money or may not. But if it is, they already have a poor live and why you make it worse by put their picture openly!! What going to happen when they grow up? We are adult suppose to protect them, aren't we?

Jan
Posts: 17

Concerns
Reply #14 on : Sun March 30, 2008, 13:18:43

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Hi

My name is Jan. I'd like to thank God and you all( The Well ministry) for a wonderful work for Thai woman and children who are from dysfunctional families. I've been supporting The Well for the past 2 years, and also had a chance to visit The Well in Bangkok twice.

However, I have a concern. I have received 2 postcards of the Well Ministry. I came to my mails couple weeks ago. The first time I saw the card, I did not feel anything much. But the second time I received the same post card, there is the thought that came to my mind. I saw the picture of a mother with her two beautiful daughters. They are beautiful children. Then I read the card...Thailand sex workers! I know the intention of this postcard is good. However, I think the language is too strong. Although, it is the truth for most cases. I am concerned about these children in the picture. Unfortunately, the children have to suffer from parents' poor choices and decisions. They've already been damaged and wounded. We should try to protect them. I don't think the language is appropriate, especially when there is a picture of children on it. If they can read and understand English, I can't imagine how much damage it can do to them emotinally and psychologically.

Blessings,
Jan

alan
Posts: 17

God of this city...
Reply #13 on : Wed March 12, 2008, 11:32:09

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hey buddy,
have you heard the new song, "God of this city"?

see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk&feature=related

for u-tube version of tomlin singing it...the band Bluetree from Ireland was actually in Pattaya not too long ago, and they somehow were invited to perform in a brothel...while they were doing a 2 hr. worship set, they said God gave them this song. it is POWERful!

miss ya dude,
alan

edwin
Posts: 17

awsome comiing
Reply #12 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 20:26:18

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im with ya Jessica!
i really wanna be involved! i hate being lazy!!!

jessica
Posts: 17

hopefully coming
Reply #11 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 00:46:56

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My name is Jessica Wood my sister and I are in contact with servantworks about coming to bangkok this summer. Thanks for all your hard work and the genuine way you approach people... I lay awake at night thinking about this stuff....i really think God wakes me up so I will pay attention to his prompting for me to do something or say something for those trapped in the sex trade...i want to help and not just so that I can sleep easy..but because there is no other option..and becuase i deeply loves Christ and believe he sets people free....anyways just wanted to show encouragement and introduce myself

Edwin
Posts: 17

Re: jim larson's thoughts
Reply #10 on : Sun January 13, 2008, 13:54:02

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for "Win"

you are more than right..... those that follow Christ's really lay themselves low for other people... that is LOVE!

*hugs*

win
Posts: 17

=
Reply #9 on : Tue January 01, 2008, 03:40:30

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i'm da random...n i'm a thai gurl,,n i saw ur friends or sumone who knows u post bout wt u did in thailand..it's gd mannn...


i donno wt to say bt i never heard bout whites do stuff for helping ppl who isn't white b4


most of them jt drop sum shit here destroy enviorment...


anyway keep it

Edwin
Posts: 17

thx
Reply #8 on : Mon December 10, 2007, 20:51:12

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thank you very much for the comment, you guys are soo awsome...


i have learned a big lesson this year, that soo many ministries are sooo busy trying to "convert" people (by changing their minds) without being sensitive to their problems and not relating to them except manipulating them through emotional appeal

you guys obviously dont do that and i apoligize for my accusation at you... i was mad at the time....

i really need to pray again... and perhaps i have been looking for an emotion to motivate me and to make myself feel an emotion that will get me back to JOYfully serve the Lord

i was wrong...... emotions change....

pray for my family... please