jim larson's thoughts

If necessary use words

Da and her baby came home from the hospital Sunday.  Her baby's hyperbilirubinemia, dangerously high on Saturday, was normal by Sunday morning.  "My baby was healed because everyone prayed," she proclaimed.  What is most significant is that Da is not a Christian.  Not yet, that is.

St. Francis of Assisi is well known for the admonition, "Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words."  In every case I am familar with, words are necessary for people to know Jesus.  But the words that often are not needed are the explanations and solicitations that Westerners are used to associating with evangelism.  Over here we've found that it's almost enough to say, "We love you because of Jesus."  When folks see that indeed we do love them, the rest all falls into place very naturally.

So many times have I heard people say, "I'm not an evangelist."  In reality it's like saying, "I can't love anyone."  Of course those people don't mean that.  It's just that over the years we've messed up what evangelism really is.  "God loves you" can often be presented as far more a condescending belief proposition than the warm invitation of a lover.  We forget that God loses credibility if His followers don't do the same thing. Besides, loving people is fun.  Doing evangelism the way it is often viewed can be downright scary.  Somehow I don't think that was Jesus' intent.  We conduct seminars on how to do some method of leading people through a Gospel presentation, much like companies train their salespeople to find customers and close deals.  We should instead do training events on how to love others.

I expect Da will soon be a Christian.  I don't think we'll have to say much.

Getting the best

If you follow the meanderings of this page you are aware of my inconsistency.  In this case I knew it had been a while, but Matt Hook emailed me yesterday pointing out it had been over a month.  Oops.

To be honest, there are times when I just don't have the time or feel the energy to write, at least half well.  In this case, a lot of the energy loss recently came from within our organization.  When you're the leader, sometimes you feel as though not only you can't please everyone, you can't please anyone.  But of course those times produce good soul searching and character building, and are therefore necessary.  In any case, good has come of it, and we're feeling encouraged.

The other difficulty with getting behind in telling stories about what we do here is that there are so many that happen all the time that once behind I don't know where to begin.  Eventually I just have to forget about telling most of them and just move on.  I'll start with one from today.

I challenged one of our former students to read Jonah again.  She has definitely met God and it is clear He has a significant purpose for her, but has really never completely submitted herself to His lordship, other than for possibly one or two very brief periods.  I have seldom doubted the sincerity of her heart.  Her resistance comes from a past of so much hurt and brokenness that make it very difficult for her to settle down to really trust that God will take care of her.  For that reason I believe God is very patient with her, and that in time she will come around.  Meanwhile she has been fleeing from God's call.

In the process of reviewing Jonah myself, I stumbled across chapter 2 verse 8, during Jonah's prayer: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." It wasn't the first time I'd been impressed by it, but reading it was one of those lightbulb moments of seeing a deep, ancient truth as though for the first time.

We started Servantworks to say to people that living like Jesus is the best there is.  It's not about the call of duty and sacrifice.  It's about getting the best.  That verse made me think again about all the Christians I know who just like this former student, cling to other things besides Jesus Himself, and miss the best that God has for them.  

I'm not about to say that Judy and I have rid ourselves of every worthless thing, but we have indeed found that giving them up does bring a lot of incredible reward and fun. Just today Judy went to visit Da in the hospital with her brand new baby girl who is under careful observation with a bad case of hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice).  Da has hidden her pregnancy from her family, most of her friends and the baby's own father.  When she discovered she was pregnant, she said to the tiny fetus inside her, "I hope you're ready, because we're going to have a difficult life." A social service agency referred her to us, and for the last several months Da has been a member of our own family.  Today she told Judy, "I have never met a family as loving and forgiving as yours."  Of course Judy and I know our own shortcomings--all the times when we are unloving and impatient with our children and others.  We can only receive something like that with extreme gratitude, knowing that one way or another, in spite of our incompleteness, God does wonders in and through us when do dare to stop depending on worthless things.  In this case we have one more beautiful young woman who calls us Mom and Dad.  And she's an incredible cook besides.  Thai food, no less.

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sallipod
Posts: 18

n
Reply #18 on : Fri January 29, 2010, 01:48:08

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<a href=http://www.google.com> http://www.google.com </a>

John
Posts: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

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: 18

=
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