...it has been a very busy few days, but A LOT has been accomplished in the short amount of time!
Tuesday morning, Stephen, Tim, David, & I left for Nong Kio, which is the village we stayed at during the 2009 trip. On the way there, we stopped at a Lahu Training Center, where they teach Bible to people who range from church leaders to those who haven't attended any school. Stephen's forwarding agent from the states, Derek Voorhees, was there teaching! It was such a God-thing that Tim, David, & I were able to meet him here in Thailand...on Monday afternoon Stephen told us that Derek came on a last-minute mission trip to Chiang Mai & he was working on setting up a time for us to meet him. We were able to have lunch with him & get to know him for a brief while. He will be coming to Stephen & Mary's Friday, so I will be able to get to know him more then.
When we got to Nong Kio, it was just as I remembered it...except for a new gas station! Pulling into Yasa's house, where we stayed in 2009, felt just like returning to a second (or third) home. It was such a great moment!
We were able to sit & visit with Yasa for awhile before going to a Chinese village, which we also went to in 2009. We first went to a children's hostel, which is a place for parents to pay to take their children while the parents go to a bigger city to work, kind of similar to an orphanage except that the children still have one or two parents. We then went to a Christian church & school in the same village. The church is where we held a day clinic in 2009. On that trip they were working on a multi-story building for more class space. It is now finished & they were holding class there that night. Children come every night from 5-8 to learn Bible & other classes. They currently have around 700 students! We were visiting as the students were coming in & it was so great just to be able to sit & watch all of them playing with each other & staring at us trying to figure out who we were :) We also went up to the top of the new building & looked out over the village. It was so beautiful!
After returning to Yasa's we had supper before going to the church for services. The church & people were just as I remembered. The singing, praise, & worship were so beautiful! There were several little kids that kept coming up to me & just staring trying to figure out who I was. After awhile, they warmed up & kept running up to me & smiling & laughing like it was a game! They are SO cute!
Wednesday we drove back to Chiang Mai & rested in the afternoon. We had a Korean barbecue Wednesday night before going to the Night Bazaar. Tim & David hadn't been there yet, so I went with them to show them around. They were very overwhelmed for their first visit! We only had a little less than an hour to walk around, but they got some good deals in that short amount of time! It was fun to watch someone experience it for the first time & finally feel like I knew somewhat of what I was doing here in Thailand :)
Today, Thursday, we spent the morning finishing up some last minute things before Tim & David left. This afternoon, Stephen, Mary, & I took them to Doi Suthep, the Buddhist temple on the mountain, before taking them to the airport.
It's now 8:00pm here & I'm getting close to being ready for bed! Hopefully, I will catch up on sleep tonight because Stephen said we are taking a break in the morning! It's a holiday here tomorrow, so Johnny & Isaac don't have school, so we all get a break!
My list of things to get done on this trip has almost doubled in the past couple days, but I should get it all accomplished before returning home.
The more time that passes as I am here & preparing to move back here, the more it is evident that as Ephesians 2:10 says, "God has prepared in advance..." Looking back over the past few years, I can see how God has worked through every detail to get me to the place I am today. Even when I tried to do things my way & on my own, He always got me back on the right track to lead me here. God is good! I just need to remind myself everyday that it's much easier & quicker to follow Him than try to do things on my own :)
Serving Him,
Alicia
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Medical Mission Trip Update
Well, the week is over. It was once again an amazing experience! To read all about it, go to http://www.accmission.blogspot.com/ .
I am now spending the rest of the month in Thailand at the Bethlehem Gospel Center with Stephen & Mary. I will leave Chiang Mai on March 4th & be back in the states on March 5th.
I am using this time to further build my relationship with Stephen, Mary, & their family, & with Stephen's ministry, Asians for Christ. I am also trying to learn more about the culture, living in Thailand, & the language! Tim Doggett & David Upchurch, the Executive Director & President of the Board of ACMI, are here this week to also build a relationship with Stephen, to learn about his ministry here, & to help me work out some of the details of my moving here long-term.
We spent all of today discussing missions in general, Stephen's ministry, ACMI, my ministry here, God's purpose in all of this, & how all of this can come together & work together. It was a great day of learning & growing together!
We will be going to a couple villages outside of Chiang Mai Tuesday & Wednesday. I won't have internet access then, so check back in a couple days :)
Serving Him,
Alicia
I am now spending the rest of the month in Thailand at the Bethlehem Gospel Center with Stephen & Mary. I will leave Chiang Mai on March 4th & be back in the states on March 5th.
I am using this time to further build my relationship with Stephen, Mary, & their family, & with Stephen's ministry, Asians for Christ. I am also trying to learn more about the culture, living in Thailand, & the language! Tim Doggett & David Upchurch, the Executive Director & President of the Board of ACMI, are here this week to also build a relationship with Stephen, to learn about his ministry here, & to help me work out some of the details of my moving here long-term.
We spent all of today discussing missions in general, Stephen's ministry, ACMI, my ministry here, God's purpose in all of this, & how all of this can come together & work together. It was a great day of learning & growing together!
We will be going to a couple villages outside of Chiang Mai Tuesday & Wednesday. I won't have internet access then, so check back in a couple days :)
Serving Him,
Alicia
Friday, February 4, 2011
Almost There...
We are now sitting in the airport in Seoul, Korea! The longest part of the trip, the 14 hour flight from Chicago to Seoul went well! There were lots of movies, TV shows, & games to keep us occupied! And, of course, great hospitality & service! I was only able to sleep about an hour on the flight, so with the 2.5 hours I slept before we left, I've had a total of 3.5 hours of sleep since I woke up Wednesday morning! I thought for sure I would finally be able to sleep on the flight, but that didn't happen. When we get to Chiang Mai it will be 10:30pm there, so we should be able to go to bed then. I'm SO looking forward to that!
Thanks so much for all your prayers! We have had no trouble at all so far!
Check back here & at http://www.accmission.blogspot.com/ for more updates during the week!
Serving Him,
Alicia
Thanks so much for all your prayers! We have had no trouble at all so far!
Check back here & at http://www.accmission.blogspot.com/ for more updates during the week!
Serving Him,
Alicia
Thursday, February 3, 2011
In 5 Short Hours...
We will be leaving for the airport!
Because of the blizzard that went through here & being sick and/or snowed in since Sunday, I've had plenty of time to get things done, organized, & packed. So why am I still up 5 hours before we leave? I forgot to put some CDs of different workshops from the National Missionary Convention on my ipod! Normally, I would say forget it, but since I've got about 18 hours to kill flying to Thailand & 18 hours home, I figured this would be a great time to learn some important stuff :)
I don't think I would have fallen asleep anyway because I am SO excited to be in Thailand! It felt like the time was never going to get here! I can't wait to see the sights, smell the smells, hear the noises, meet up with our old friends, meet new friends, share the experience with my Mom & the rest of the team, minister to the Thai people whose paths we cross, share the Gospel with them, & most of all, witness God working in the many ways that He does!
This week I have once again witnessed God at work in preparing me for this trip. Starting last weekend, the flu hit my family. It went through everyone, except me. At the end of the week, I was feeling very relieved that I didn't get sick. Then, Sunday came & it hit me. I spent all of Monday in bed & thought, "OK...I can do everything I need to in 2 days." Then, Tuesday came & Wednesday...I still can't breathe well, but with strength & focus I can say only came from God, I got everything done that I needed to! Besides being sick, a blizzard came through here...starting on Monday & ending Wednesday morning! Normally, I would be worrying non-stop about this...Would our travel plans change? How would we re-arrange everything? Will we be able to do the same amount of work in Thailand? But, I told myself not to worry...it has been obvious from the start of preparing for this trip that God wants us in Thailand. He is in control. And tomorrow, we leave as scheduled!
The thing about doing what God calls you to do, is Satan hates it. He will try any way he can to get you to not do it, to lose focus, or to throw you of course. It's spiritual warfare & it's happening all the time...like being sick when you've got to get ready to leave the country for a month or having a blizzard days before you fly out. But, Satan's not winning this one. Everyday I commited to staying focused on what God wants me to do & putting Him first in my thoughts & actions; to not allow these attempts from Satan to shift my focus or cause me unnecessary worry and overtake what He has called me to do.
So, tomorrow we leave...as scheduled...to do the work God has prepared in advance for us to do. Praise God!
Check back for more updates from Thailand :)
Serving Him,
Alicia
Because of the blizzard that went through here & being sick and/or snowed in since Sunday, I've had plenty of time to get things done, organized, & packed. So why am I still up 5 hours before we leave? I forgot to put some CDs of different workshops from the National Missionary Convention on my ipod! Normally, I would say forget it, but since I've got about 18 hours to kill flying to Thailand & 18 hours home, I figured this would be a great time to learn some important stuff :)
I don't think I would have fallen asleep anyway because I am SO excited to be in Thailand! It felt like the time was never going to get here! I can't wait to see the sights, smell the smells, hear the noises, meet up with our old friends, meet new friends, share the experience with my Mom & the rest of the team, minister to the Thai people whose paths we cross, share the Gospel with them, & most of all, witness God working in the many ways that He does!
This week I have once again witnessed God at work in preparing me for this trip. Starting last weekend, the flu hit my family. It went through everyone, except me. At the end of the week, I was feeling very relieved that I didn't get sick. Then, Sunday came & it hit me. I spent all of Monday in bed & thought, "OK...I can do everything I need to in 2 days." Then, Tuesday came & Wednesday...I still can't breathe well, but with strength & focus I can say only came from God, I got everything done that I needed to! Besides being sick, a blizzard came through here...starting on Monday & ending Wednesday morning! Normally, I would be worrying non-stop about this...Would our travel plans change? How would we re-arrange everything? Will we be able to do the same amount of work in Thailand? But, I told myself not to worry...it has been obvious from the start of preparing for this trip that God wants us in Thailand. He is in control. And tomorrow, we leave as scheduled!
The thing about doing what God calls you to do, is Satan hates it. He will try any way he can to get you to not do it, to lose focus, or to throw you of course. It's spiritual warfare & it's happening all the time...like being sick when you've got to get ready to leave the country for a month or having a blizzard days before you fly out. But, Satan's not winning this one. Everyday I commited to staying focused on what God wants me to do & putting Him first in my thoughts & actions; to not allow these attempts from Satan to shift my focus or cause me unnecessary worry and overtake what He has called me to do.
So, tomorrow we leave...as scheduled...to do the work God has prepared in advance for us to do. Praise God!
Check back for more updates from Thailand :)
Serving Him,
Alicia
Monday, January 31, 2011
It's Almost Time...
I leave for Thailand with the ACC Mission Team THIS Thursday!!!
The time up until now has flown by as we've been preparing for this trip, but it still feels like it's forever away...I'm not quite sure how that works!
I have many feelings about this trip...I'm excited, anxious, uncertain, hopeful, amazed, awed, & most of all, I'm humbled. That God would use me to show His love & spread His Word to His people continues to blow my mind! He could do it all himself, but He chooses to use me, to use us.
This trip has already blessed me in many ways. I have been able to share with many people the passion & calling God has given me to do what I'm about to do. I have witnessed over & over how He provides for our every need. I am continually amazed & in awe of all that God will do for you if you just allow Him to. He already has set a plan for each & every person, that if we would just surrender our own selfish wants & fully depend on Him, it will be done.
There have been many times throughout the past year that I have felt so overwhelmed with what I think I should accomplish in Thailand & with what I think others assume I will be able to do there. Every time I feel this way, I have been reminded that it's not my work I'm doing. God called us to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I can't make someone's choice for them to believe & to follow Christ. All I can do & all that God has called me to do is to tell them, to give them the opportunity to know the Truth, & to teach them. He does all the work in their hearts & minds.
I have much comfort & hope in the last line, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." No matter where I go or what I'm doing, God will be with me every step of the way. He has gone before us & prepared the hearts & minds of the Thai people whose paths we will cross on this trip. He will be with us every second of the trip. And He will continue to be there after we leave.
Thank you all for your continued support & prayers!
Serving Him,
Alicia
The time up until now has flown by as we've been preparing for this trip, but it still feels like it's forever away...I'm not quite sure how that works!
I have many feelings about this trip...I'm excited, anxious, uncertain, hopeful, amazed, awed, & most of all, I'm humbled. That God would use me to show His love & spread His Word to His people continues to blow my mind! He could do it all himself, but He chooses to use me, to use us.
This trip has already blessed me in many ways. I have been able to share with many people the passion & calling God has given me to do what I'm about to do. I have witnessed over & over how He provides for our every need. I am continually amazed & in awe of all that God will do for you if you just allow Him to. He already has set a plan for each & every person, that if we would just surrender our own selfish wants & fully depend on Him, it will be done.
There have been many times throughout the past year that I have felt so overwhelmed with what I think I should accomplish in Thailand & with what I think others assume I will be able to do there. Every time I feel this way, I have been reminded that it's not my work I'm doing. God called us to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I can't make someone's choice for them to believe & to follow Christ. All I can do & all that God has called me to do is to tell them, to give them the opportunity to know the Truth, & to teach them. He does all the work in their hearts & minds.
I have much comfort & hope in the last line, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." No matter where I go or what I'm doing, God will be with me every step of the way. He has gone before us & prepared the hearts & minds of the Thai people whose paths we will cross on this trip. He will be with us every second of the trip. And He will continue to be there after we leave.
Thank you all for your continued support & prayers!
Serving Him,
Alicia
Monday, January 10, 2011
Newsletter
I have completed the first installment of my newsletter! If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive my newsletters & updates, please send me an e-mail at ajcrabtree07@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Alicia
Thanks!
Alicia
Saturday, January 8, 2011
HUGE Update
Hello Everyone!
It has been incredibly too long since I've updated my blog, so this might be a lot of information :) God has been doing some amazing things in my life since I updated last!
First, He put me in contact with a missionary sending organization, ACM International (http://www.acminternational.com/). Before this, I was trying to figure out everything being a missionary entails by myself, which was extremely overwhelming. (Believe me, I tried for several months before I realized I couldn't do this on my own & needed help!) So, REALLY long story short...I went through ACM's application process & was accepted as a full member on November 9, 2010! Being a part of ACM, I have already learned SO much, made many connections, & have much more support than I would have on my own, (along with many other great things).
These last several months have been incredibly important in shaping who I'm becoming. God has shown me over & over how He has a plan already laid out for me & that He will provide all that I need. All I have to do is submit to His will, which is harder than it sounds some days, but I am constantly working on it.
Before connecting with ACM, my original plan was to stay in Thailand in February when I go back with the ACC Mission Team. I have since decided to change this plan, rather God has changed my timing as I lean on His ways & not my own. I will still be going back to Thailand with the Mission Team on February 3rd, but will only be staying until March 5th. I am coming back because there are more training courses I want to take & I need to make sure I have all my support raised before I stay in Thailand full-time. I am hoping to be there full-time late summer/early fall of this year. I am still going to be living with Stephen & Mary Wongratanamajcha & working with their ministry, Asians for Christ. I will be providing some health care & working with Women's & Children's Ministries.
It has been incredibly too long since I've updated my blog, so this might be a lot of information :) God has been doing some amazing things in my life since I updated last!
First, He put me in contact with a missionary sending organization, ACM International (http://www.acminternational.com/). Before this, I was trying to figure out everything being a missionary entails by myself, which was extremely overwhelming. (Believe me, I tried for several months before I realized I couldn't do this on my own & needed help!) So, REALLY long story short...I went through ACM's application process & was accepted as a full member on November 9, 2010! Being a part of ACM, I have already learned SO much, made many connections, & have much more support than I would have on my own, (along with many other great things).
These last several months have been incredibly important in shaping who I'm becoming. God has shown me over & over how He has a plan already laid out for me & that He will provide all that I need. All I have to do is submit to His will, which is harder than it sounds some days, but I am constantly working on it.
Before connecting with ACM, my original plan was to stay in Thailand in February when I go back with the ACC Mission Team. I have since decided to change this plan, rather God has changed my timing as I lean on His ways & not my own. I will still be going back to Thailand with the Mission Team on February 3rd, but will only be staying until March 5th. I am coming back because there are more training courses I want to take & I need to make sure I have all my support raised before I stay in Thailand full-time. I am hoping to be there full-time late summer/early fall of this year. I am still going to be living with Stephen & Mary Wongratanamajcha & working with their ministry, Asians for Christ. I will be providing some health care & working with Women's & Children's Ministries.
Another new "development" is that my mom is going to be my Forwarding Agent! I am very excited she decided to help me in this role because I knew she would do the best job at it :) And it helps her to be a part of my ministry. For those who don't know what a Forwarding Agent is, she will be receiving & keeping track of all my funds, sending out receipts, & basically, keeping me on top of things :)
From now on, I am going to try to be more consistent in keeping you all up-to-date on where I'm at in this journey God has called me on & what He teaches me through this.
As I wrap this up, I want to ask you to be in prayer with me on the following:
* For the ACC Mission Team as we prepare to return to Thailand & our safety on the trip
* For Stephen & Mary and the others in Thailand as they prepare for our arrival & work there
* For safety, peace, & reassurance of our families while we are gone
*For the hearts of those whose paths we will cross in Thailand, that they will be open to the word of God
* For my willingness & openness to be continually molded & shaped by God to be prepared to serve in Thailand
* For those who already have and those who will partner with me in my ministry, both financially & in prayer
* That God's will would continue to be done & His Kingdom continue to spread to reach the ends of the earth
Serving Him,
Alicia
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