Genesis Moments

Sometimes it is the hardest thing to just begin something. Being an artist myself, I am all too acquainted with the tendency to put off doing something because it seems intimidating or because I just don't know where to start. It's probably why it has taken me 5 weeks to really get a grasp on the "meat" of what I am doing here.

I felt a bit unsure in some ways when I first arrived in Thailand because not only have I felt out of my element geographically and culturally, but it can be hard just to know where I should eat lunch, let alone start a conversation with a Thai person. Now I know these can seem like minimal issues, and there is always a learning curve when it comes to acclimating to new settings, but sometimes you just don't know what you don't know until you are faced with it head on. On our own, this can feel isolating, but with God and the body of Christ coming alongside us, it becomes a type of sanctification which pushes you to rely on God alone.

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

There can be a temptation to distance yourself from what is unfamiliar because it is uncomfortable, but I've learned that God loves to meet us in those spaces where we feel stretched, because it is not our own efforts on display, but God's power which multiplies our small offerings. And admitting our weaknesses and shortcomings can also play a part in pointing the glory back to God, because we would be lost without him by our sides and paving the way for us to walk in.

Being overwhelmed at the vastness of another culture's religion can put into perspective the incredible need that there is to share the gospel with them. Facing the temples and shrines and idols that are consistently surrounding us is a constant reminder of the need to go to battle in prayer and to never cease to ask the Lord for help, because oh, do we need him!

When we are stripped of what is familiar and are forced to rely on God for every need, even the small ones, we start to gain a bigger kingdom mindset. And as I have started to "begin again" in this small district of Prawet in the larger city of Bangkok, I am reminded of the ways that I first began with God.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

He first wooed me to himself at a very young age of 4-5 through my parents' love and care for me as a covenantal family. I soon began to realize that I wanted to be a part of the larger family of God because I felt so loved and cared for by my mom and dad and wanted to know the God who put that love in them, and to join the larger family they were a part of.

Growing up I usually considered my testimony of coming to know the Lord at such a young age as pretty inconsequential. But as I have entered a culture where I realized that hospitality and invitations to group events is one of the most attractive means of reaching Thai people, my perspective has changed. I realized that God has been reminding me of my Genesis moment, where I was drawn into the wonder and joy of communing and feasting with the people of God, because that is something he is going to do again, and he's going to use me to do it. It also puts the focus back on God, because only he could draw my fallen and feeble little heart to him... and how wonderful that he can do that, and that he did do that, and that he still does that!

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29–

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

And 1 Timothy 4:12–

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

This has been a groundbreaking realization for me because it has shifted how I approach missions as a whole. I see so much more how simply our presence can have an impact on someone who you also want to know the Lord. Because over time, through cooking a meal for a person and asking them about their lives at the start of knowing them, these moments become more and more saturated with the presence of God because as image bearers, we live and breathe Jesus!

To even further emphasize my point about the effectiveness of food as a ministry, it is not uncommon to greet someone in Thailand by asking them"have you eaten yet?" This truly demonstrates the deep loving care that Thai people have for one another's wellbeing that has radicalized how I approach ministry moments.

Sometimes ministry may look like simply smiling at someone you pass on the street, or visiting their stand in the market and sitting with them to eat their "Jok" (Thai breakfast).

Sometimes ministry looks like going on walks in the neighborhood with new friends to the local coffee shop where you talk for hours about the most important people and events in your lives that have shaped you into who you are today.

Sometimes ministry looks like leading "pictionary" or

"fish bowl" games at English club...

...alongside the pizza nights we host in our homes!

Sometimes ministry looks like getting to help lead a worship night and painting prayer posters.

It is a gift to get to have these precious moments with the people we meet, and a privilege to invite them into our spaces, but when it is broken down to the basics, the ministry that we are doing can be as simple as supporting the work that is already being done in the church by leading Sunday school, folding chairs, and inviting college students to hang out. All of it is good and worthy and contributes to the whole work of ushering people to the feet of Jesus, one bowl of food at a time.

What a joy it has been to get to be a part of the ministry that God is doing here! Please continue to pray for the hearts of the people here to be softened to the work of the Holy Spirit, that we would be able to go deeper with the friends we have already made, and that God would use us to attract more people to the truth of his word, to be drawn into the family of God and the body of Christ that is here.

I have some upcoming opportunities to lead art workshops with a few different groups at English Club, at a camp we are going to facilitate for our Thai friends, and with women who are a part of the Beginnings Foundation, which is a ministry serving women who have come out of the sex industry. Please pray for God's guidance in these moments, to know how to best reach the people that are in front of me (as every group and person is different) and to follow the Spirit's leading in every circumstance, as God knows what these people need more than I do.

Thank you to all those who have been covering my time here in prayer! It has been challenging at times but even more rewarding at others to see how God is already answering prayers and providing opportunities to love on the people here. I'm so grateful for the time I've already had, the unique ways that I've gotten to contribute and serve through practicing my creativity in how we facilitate events, and I'm so excited for what God is still unfolding day by day!

Sawasdee khâ!

Sarah Esther