January 2009
LCMS World Mission
Betsy KarkanServing the Lord and theLCMS in
Thailand
Email:thailandtrekker@gmail.com Blog:http://thailandtrekking.blogspot.com
What does missions look like?
When I first got here to Thailand I knew thatI would be spending the first 6 months of myservice in language school, and I must confessthat I took this for granted to begin with. Inthe back of my mind I thought that my “real”work wouldn’t start until after I finished atULS. Lately I have realized just how thankfulI am for the opportunity God has given me tobe at this school at this time. There arestudents here from all over the world, andthere are many different religionsrepresented by other students and even mostof the teachers. Because of this, I have hadmany opportunities to provide a positiveChristian example and even witness to otherswho do not know about Christianity or view itas just another religious law system. To somepeople, seeing that Christians are loving,caring and friendly people is enough to makethem curious and want to know more aboutthis Jesus we have. Praise God!I’ve also been blessed to make manyvaluable relationships here as well.Learning and studying with the samepeople for 5 months tends to do thatI suppose. Just this last weekendseveral students and teachersattended the wedding of one of ourteachers from ULS to one of ourclassmates.When it comes down to basics, I’verealized that just like so many otherthings in life, missions is about valuedrelationships. As Christians, ourrelationship with Christ is the mostvaluable thing we have. Praise Godthat he uses all of us to share thatrelationship with others.
You are my friends if you do what I command. I nolonger call you servants, because a servant doesnot know his master's business. Instead, I havecalled you friends, for everything that I learnedfrom my Father I have made known to you. You didnot choose me, but I chose you and appointed youto go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then theFather will give you whatever you ask in my name.John 15: 14-16
ULS students with Jeerawat and Werner Tanner
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