Tim's Blog

Last Teaching

It's 1:30 pm on Wednesday and while you are sleeping, I just finished teaching.  Before I tell you about that, let me tell you about our trip yesterday to the "floating market".  The team loaded a double-decker tour bus at 7:30 am and left the great city of Bangkok for the jungle.  It was amazing to get up on the main bridge looking at the whole city.  10,000,000 people live in Bangkok.

We traveled out of town stopping at a coconut plantation and I had coconut sugar (made from the flower) and got to see how each part of the coconut was used.  Then we traveled to a city where we boarded small, narrow longboats--two people wide and five seats long and began to motor up this very dirty canal to the floating market.  We found ourselves in a "sea" of other boats--some buying-- some selling--everything from designer purses to food, right out of the boats.  It was bizarre to see these old Thai ladies paddling their boats and cooking food right out in this dirty canal.  After lunch in a restaurant--not the canal, we went to an elephant farm and got to take pictures (some even road) with the elephants.

The evening included dinner with one of the regional team--too much to tell.

This morning, I taught my final session.  It was amazing to see the outpouring of response.  People are motivated to give their lives for the cause.  They are so appreciative of all that we have taught them and the help we have given them over the years.  I just had lunch with the founder and director of ON.  He is turning his post over to a National (someone who actually lives in the country that I cannot mention here).  I had the opportunity to help him work through the emotions of this transition--giving up his dream so that it can blossom.  He wants to do it but it is understandably hard.  He shared with me that he felt our meeting was a Divine appointment to help him transition to the next challenge--to reach the business sector in the above country. 

I have taken a number of pictures and will try to post them when I return.  I have to screen them for security reason.  Faces seen by certain officials could result in problems for the team.  Amazing how easy we have it in the USA!!!  Let us be bold and faithful with our opportunities.

Tim

Long Day

Yesterday was my long day.  I taught twice in the morning and then met with several teams for individual consultation.  We discussed a number of leadership principle and practical questions.  The group is like a sponge when it comes to truth.  They are so committed and have sacrificed much.  Last night we had a time of sharing where members of the group got to come to the podium and tell about God's work in their lives.  One of the teams spent 194 days in prison because of their work.  Another woman was at the conference without her husband because he is under such scrutiny that he cannot go anywhere.  These people are the real thing.

The evening last night was concluded by the National Director.  He spend time reminding this new, growing team of all the people who had helped them come to faith and become established.  He told them that the day is coming that their country will be the largest sending country in the world.  Currently, the US sends 70,000 workers to the nations.  By 2020, they plan to send 100,000 workers to the nations.  He warned them not to become proud but to remember their humble beginning so that they will continue to partner with all the world for the cause of the Gospel. 

Among the partners, he specifically thanked Hill Country Bible Church for being the first western church to believe in their vision and support them in their infancy.  Friends, we are making an eternal difference in a needy world.  Stay faithful to pray, serve, give, and love.  Jesus Christ is pleased with our work.

Now, I have to get ready to head out to the "floating market" with the team for a "fun" day.  I getting used to the Thai food!!

Why am I here?

Saturday proved to be a very significant day.  I had a meeting with the Director of CCC for all of Thailand along with Greg Smith (HCBCer) who lives with this family in Chang Mia.  The Director told the fascinating story of his conversion.  He was a Communist in the 60's and was out of town on the day that the government killed and imprisoned all the party leaders.  After escaping certain death, this law student came to faith.  He was then sent to a leper colony to help the lepers.  There he learned the secret of humility and seeing the real person behind the mask.  Now he directs the whole country and time fails me to tell you all that he has planned for this country.  (BTW, we ate lunch at the "Sizzler" think "Western").

Later the meeting for ON started.  I found out that the National Director of ON will be turning the whole movement over to national staff.  This is a huge deal.  It will be lead by "in country" teams with no support from the west.  Because HCBC has supported this movement from it's infancy and because I taught leadership principles in the very early years, they invited me to be the keynote speaker. 

Today, Bob Singleton (HCBCer) was recognized for being the "behind the scenes father" of the movement.  I watched the tears spill from his eyes as the national director thanked him for all his mentoring and teaching over the years.  After that recognition, I taught the first lesson from Nehemiah through a translator. 

Over the last two days, many who I have never met thanked me for teaching them about "Incarnational and Servant Leadership."  It has been so rewarding to see that the truths we taught several years ago in Singapore have been passed down from the original group of about 20 so that tens of thousands now apply them in various cities and villages that we will never see this side of Heaven. 

Thanks for your prayers and partnership.  I wish each of you could see the enormous impact that you have made in the world.  And so far, so good with the Thai food...

Saturday Morning In Thailand

Good morning.  I have successfully managed to grab about 6 hours sleep so should be in pretty good shape to beat the jet lag.  Got into Bangkok about 10:55 pm and took about a hour to clear customs.  Bob Singleton, my host, picked me up at the airport and got me to the hotel.  Two ladies from ON (sponsoring agency) waited up for me at the hotel to get me all set up with my registration and meals/wireless internet and schedule.  They are very gracious hosts and I know that I will be treated very well here. 

I ate a Thai breakfast (by myself) this morning.  With no one to tell me what I was eating, I hope that it all sets well.  I enjoy ethnic food, especially in the country of origin--so this will be a fun week of experimenting. 

Today I meet with the Thai country director to discuss our join venture with the Moken people after the tsunami.  Some of you are aware that we (HCBC) worked with CCC to purchase property and build homes and a church for the Moken's (Thailands boat people) after they lost everything in the tsunami.  We sent 4 teams and lots of $$$ to help out.  (I think there is a video of this on facebook--somebody please post.  The video doesn't show any HCBCers but some of the Mokens are wearning our tee shirts.)

After that, I meet with GS--National Director of ON--(sorry, but I have to be cryptic).  We will discuss the purpose of the conference and the condition of the team (several have suffered recently due to their calling).  Tonight we will have a dinner together and I will be introduced.  Teaching begins tomorrow.  Thanks for all your encouraging emails and your support.  I am exactly 12 hours ahead of you so you can stay up with this journey.  It's empowering to know so many of you are praying.  God's will!!

Getting Ready

Tomorrow morning at 7:17 am, I board a United Flight that will take me from Austin to San Francisco, then from San Francisco to Tokyo, and finally from Tokyo to Bangkok.  The purpose of my trip is to meet with a group of church leaders that are doing their ministry in a country that doesn't allow freedom of religion.  So, this trip is under the radar.  If some of my details seem cryptic, please try to read between the lines.  I will be teaching a leadership course from the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.  I have taught this study twice in Austin and also in Central Asia.  Please pray for me especially for a quick recovery from jet lag.  The trip over to Thailand is about 32 hours with the lay overs.  I will update this blog as I can.