THE VISION

God is so good. For a time, I am now assisting in another mission organization, Asia Center Foundation. This is another step in God's plans and purposes. I am thankful that He trusts me with this vision for young children and their families. The vision that He gave me nearly 20 years ago, is really going to all nations.

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"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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." Matthew 28:18-20



(I am starting a new blog page for this new venture)

PRAYERS ANSWERED

Thanks for the prayers, keep them coming. I started my new job/mission yesterday with Asia Center Foundation (www.asiacenterfoundation.org). It is fantastic, I'll be doing all the things God has been preparing me for the last few years - education, social work, ministry, and missions. They even have a place for me to stay temporarily, a nice room and bath, etc.

The Director also used the ACE program with her son, so I'll be able to also teach the staff English. And I get paid and I get health insurance. How many paid missionary opportunities do you find?

God is faithful, even when we are unfaithful. I give Him all the glory.

Jerry is away on vacation in Pattaya, so I'll probably wait till he gets back before I move. He was getting tired of his 'big' sister. So everything worked out, God engineered everything.

'...WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL.'

ABC MISSION SCHOOL

October 12, 2009

I believe that my assignment with Jerry is about over. I have been here for over 4 months, since June 3, 2009. My assignment was to help Jerry start a school. I believe that God has done that. When I came they were meeting outside, under a carport, among garbage, flies, and dogs. I don't believe that a situation like this should be accepted because 'they are use to living that way', meaning the Burmese people. I knew God wanted more for these children, that He loved them just that much. I have been doing what God sent me here to do, showing them the love of Jesus Christ - teaching them songs and Bible verses (John 3:16), setting up an established curriculum, lesson plans, modeling God's love, involving parents, and establishing a permanent site to hold classes.

I am interviewing with another mission with a similar vision for early child education and Burmese families. I'm praying that this is the direction God wants me to go. But if not I will go where God leads, raising money to return, or maybe going to another mission in another country. But I would really like to work with this other mission here in Phuket. It's all about timing - I have to extend my visa by 10/18, and Jerry has given me about a month to get another place to stay, or he will provide me with a ticket back to the U.S.

Jerry is very protective of his program and the children.

So I'll just dust my feet off and go where God sends me next.

I am depending on the sufficiency of God,and prayers and support from the Saints.


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October 11, 2009

• Went to camp – did a short class – Assembly (prayer, song, scripture); went over the basics with my class (ABCs, 123, colors, days of the week, shapes, etc.); body awareness (songs ‘hokey pokey’, etc.); then blocks and snacks.
• Cell group 11-12noon – Lesson on Evangelism
• Jerry picked me up and we went back to camp to paint. I started painting my classroom, blue like Jerry’s room, plus I want to trim it in yellow. I was heartened by the girls helping me paint. They were so sweet, but I told Jerry afterwards that it looked like it was painted by 10-12 year olds and a senior citizen. But we got it together, to God be the glory.
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October 5, 2009
We had two days at the camp, along with occasional days going out working on the building.

Yesterday I also attended a cell group meeting, in the home of an ACF staff person, Kuzhali and her husband. Jerry did not attend, he was recovering from food poisoning, plus he said this was my thing. There were two other couples there, and we had a good time. It has been so long since I have had an opportunity to talk with like minded Christians, in English. Usually on Sundays I tune in to my church, New Birth in Atlanta, online. Afterwards we went to one of the couples’ house for a bar-b-que. They live high up on a mountain overlooking the bay, islands and the U.S. fleet. It was a nice group of people, I enjoyed myself. When we left there Kuzhali and her husband stopped by a tower that was even higher up the mountain and we had a 360 degree view of the island. It was beautiful.

On Monday, Richard and Catherine came by to visit. They had called, they were in the area, and wanted to come by. I had called Catherine a few days before to see how she was, and her family in the Philippines, if they had been affected by the weather and all that has been going on. Richard said they were all fine.

I just want to show the love of Christ to all I meet, Christian and non-Christians, as Jesus directs (plus I get a little lonely sometimes). Maybe if I stay here and get my own place, I’ll have more freedom to do this work that Jesus has given.

"...because a great door for effective work has opened for me, and there are many who oppose me." I Corinthians 16:9
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Highlights of September:
• Finished building
• Worked on foundation – repairing leaks, hauling sand and cement.
• Met with two mission groups – Asia Center Foundation and S.H.E. – S.H.E. agreed to allow mothers in the labor camp to make paper flowers and get paid.
• S.H.E. women came out to camp, 9/25/09, were able to talk to mothers and show them how to make the flowers. The mothers were a little reluctant, possibly due to long standing animosity between Burmese and Thai people. But the Thai never gave up, they considered it evangelizing.
• Visited other pre schools for Burmese children.
• Got an extension on my visa till 10/18/09
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I have also been studying the history of Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand, because I believe that it is important to learn about the context of the situation where we work in order to provide the children with a holistic education. There appears to be some animosity between the two countries, although Thailand, unlike the U.S. and some western countries, does recognize the Myanmar Republic.

Someone stated that the Burmese people are treated like the slaves were treated in the U.S. They are restricted to the camps, they are worked hard, in fact it appears that many of the construction and dirty jobs are done by Burmese. I have heard negative comments about the Burmese from various people, even foreigners.

The Thai people have the inside jobs, for the most part. This is especially evident in stores. There are often 2-3 clerks in the isles of stores, mostly stocking shelves. At the Super Cheap store there are also several people at the doors as you leave. I’ve since learned that it is probably a security issue. Plus I doubt if they have a high unemployment rate.

For instance, we were leaving the parking garage in Patong last week, and as we were leaving this guy in a uniform moved aside a barrier so we could get out. I commented to Jerry, ‘why do they have a barrier just so this guy could move it out of the way’. I see now that it was a job.

In addition, on most streets every other building has a store or restaurant on the ground floor. A lot of the houses are what is called ‘shop houses’. These are town houses of 2 or more floors, with the bottom floor looking like a garage that is used for a ‘shop’. Everyone seems to be trying to make some money. Then in addition to the many restaurants, there are people selling foods from 3-wheel motorcycles, like Jerry has. Just driving down the street, smelling all that food is so tempting, but I am careful not to eat food sold on the streets.

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A lot of the information that I found was from Wikipedia, plus I found some U.S. grants for Burmese refugees on grants.gov. Sadly there were no grants for Burmese in labor camps, where we are located, at least not that I have found so far. There were services directed to certain refugee camps to provide health care, education, processing (Id’s), and relocation of refugees.

I was directed to a U.S. contact for immigration issues of Burmese, this was for those in labor camps, but I never got a response.

One of the mission organizations that I talked with works with ‘legal’ Burmese children with the knowledge of the government of Phuket. They can provide education and a building, but the children still cannot go to public school.

The camp where we are located has children and families who are not legal. The children cannot leave the camp, and the parents can only leave to go to work. We were told that if they are stopped by the police that could be fined and possibly sent back to Burma. The children cannot go to school, no one can go to the public hospitals, or are eligible for any Thai social services. They can attend the Catholic Mission hospital, but although it is cheaper than other hospitals, it is still considered expensive for the families. There are two pregnant women in the camp, and neither has received prenatal care or plans to go to the hospital to have their babies.

IN NEW CLASSROOM

THE BUILDING AND FLOORS ARE IN. I'VE STARTED SETTING UP MY CLASSROOM AND DEVELOPING A SCHEDULE FOR THE CHILDREN. THEY ARE LEARNING, SLOWLY, BUT THEY WILL COME AROUND. I HAVE A CURRICULUM THAT I FOLLOW, PLUS EARLY CHILDHOOD STANDARDS BASED ON A MASS. STUDY/PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE EVERYTHING, OR ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT I'VE LEARNED IN CLASSROOMS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REPAIR THE FOUNDATION IN MY CLASSROOM, BECAUSE OF GAPS AROUND THE EDGES, WATER WAS GETTING IN WHEN IT RAINED. I WAS HAULING DIRT, GRAVEL AND MIXING CEMENT. I DON'T THINK JERRY THOUGHT I COULD DO IT, I DIDN'T THINK I COULD DO IT. BUT I'M LEARNING THAT I CAN DO ALL THINGS...

JERRY IS ALSO DOING A GOOD JOB WITH HIS OLDER STUDENTS. HE HAS STARTED THEM ON MULTIPLICATION. WHICH IS PRETTY GOOD CONSIDERING THE CHILDREN ONLY HAVE A LITTLE ENGLISH. JERRY IS A GOOD TEACHER.

I AM STILL PRAYING ABOUT THE SPEAKING ENGLISH PROGRAM FOR ALL THE STUDENTS. I KNOW THAT IN GOD'S TIMING, IT WILL BE DONE.

WE JUST LEFT MEETING WITH TWO OTHER MISSION GROUPS (9/23/09). I LEARNED ABOUT THESE GROUPS THROUGH A CHAIN OF EVENTS STARTED BY CONTACT WITH ANOTHER MINISTER IN THAILAND. THE FIRST ORGANIZATION, ASIA CENTER FOUNDATION, TOOK US TO LOOK AT ANOTHER OF THEIR PRESCHOOLS, THIS ONE FOR BURMESE. I HAD MET WITH THEM LAST WEEK ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH THEIR STAFF ENGLISH, USING THE A.C.E. SPEAKING ENGLISH PROGRAM. SHE ALSO TOLD ME OF A BURMESE PASTOR, THAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR, (THIS WAS AMAZING)WHO MAY BE ABLE TO HELP ME START A CLASS IN THIS FISHING CAMP, THAT IS ON THE RIVER, NOT FAR FROM WHERE JERRY LIVES. SHE ALSO TOOK US BY HER HOUSE WHERE SHE HAS A CELL GROUP MEETING ON SUNDAY AND THEN BY HER HUSBAND'S COFFEE HOUSE, REALLY HIGH END, WITH A SPA, EXERCISE AND MEETING ROOMS.

THE SECOND ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH EX-BAR GIRLS, S.H.E.. I GOT ALOT OF INFO ON HOW THEY EVANGELIZE AND EMPOWER THESE GIRLS. THEY MAKE JEWLRY, CANDIES, COOKIES, ETC. AND THE GIRLS ARE PAID A WAGE. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW I COULD HELP THE YOUNG MOTHERS IN OUR CAMP, AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN MAKE THESE LITTLE PAPER ROSES, THEY WILL COME AND SHOW THEM HOW, AND THEY WILL PAY THEM.

WE ALSO DISCUSSED SOME OF THE HEALTH ISSUES OF THE BURMESE PEOPLE IN THE LABOR CAMPS. THEY CAN ATTEND THIS CATHOLIC MISSION HOSPITAL, ESPECIALLY THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS, BUT IT COSTS THEM MORE THAN A MONTH'S WAGES. I'M TRUSTING GOD IN THIS AREA TOO.

SO I'M ALL PUMPED UP, GOD HAS SHOWN HIMSELF FAITHFUL, HE HAS ANSWERED SEVERAL PRAYERS, IN JUST ONE DAY.

ANOTHER PRAYER, IS PROVISION FOR THE VISION. JERRY SAID THAT HE CAN'T CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ME, FOOD AND 'VISA RUNS', ETC.. HE TOLD ME THAT IF I DO NOT GET A JOB BY THE TIME MY VISA RUNS OUT, I WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO THE STATES.

THIS BATTLE IS NOT MINE, THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS.

I'M PRAISING HIM IN ADVANCE....

I am still here in Thailand. God is good. We ask for your continued prayers for us, the children and families we serve.

Also, as you can see from the pictures, they have not finished the classroom building, they should have it completed, prayerfully, this weekend, 9/4-6/2009.


I am primarily working with the babies and toddlers (0-7 y.o.), and their moms, using the Creative Curriculum. In addition, I am still teaching them songs and Bible verses, covered in prayer, that they may understand and come to know Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory.

As you have probably heard in the news, there is much going on in Burma (Myanmar), with refugees in China, and also refugees in Thailand, along with the Burmese in labor camps such as the one where we are. And so I also ask for prayers for them and that our eyes will be open to God's Will and His leading in this area.






In His Service,
Wilma J. Johnson, MSW, Ed.D.

It's a rainy day in Phuket, we'll have to cancel school, can't go up the muddy hill on a motorcycle. I know the children will be disappointed because we were up there yesterday checking out the building, and most of the children ran down to meet us although it was not a regular school day. So they spent the time crawling over the tri-motorcycle and trying on my helmut.

Four of my little ones, sat in my classroom with their little book sachels, waiting for class to begin. They didn't understand like the older ones that we were not there for class. One of my favorite little boys, I won't call him 'bad', puntai, he is about 4 years old, crawled up the wall, and in and out the window opening of the unfinished building. I tried to tell him in words and sign that he would fall and hurt his head. He seemed to understand me better than any of the other little ones. He shook his head, and tried even greater feats. Of course he did eventually fall, but tried to act as if he were not hurt. He is a character. He is always trying to make some sort of weapon, fights with the others boys, pushes the girls, and does the opposite of whatever I suggest. He usually spends the first part of class time running around doing his own thing. I've learned to ignore him, because eventually he will rejoin us and participate.

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August 22, 2009

The men in the camp, mostly fathers, started on the building. I wasn't able to go, I didn't know they planned to start at 6a, so Jerry went without me. They really needed my input, although they probably wouldn't have wanted it, because they put up the structure, the walls and roof, before the floor/foundation. They completed 3 sides, and most of the roof. It looks ok, but is not sturdy. They plan to complete it on their next day off, about 2 weeks.

August 16, 2009 - We have decided to not use the shipping containers for now, cost about $1,300. It was found that instead constructing a building with two classrooms, one for older students and one for pre-schoolers, would be cheaper. The manager of the labor camp, who had previously allowed us to use a portion of land in the camp, also stated that he would have his workers help build it, free. Favor - praise God. The builders that Jerry has working around his house have also agreed to help, for free, plus get discounts on materials.



God is Good.

(Pre-school background)

I had started a pre-school in Atlanta over a year ago at Living the Word, Church of God. It was great, I researched curriculums (Creative Curriculum), looked online for classroom set ups, dreamed and prayed about it for weeks. Finally set it up after doing a needs assessment, etc. I was so happy with the set up. But had no students. I eventually took it down, it was a sad day, in a way. I gave most of the resources and materials to Bishop Sellers and his wife (retired Church of God Pastor), who were setting up a school in South Africa. I shipped several boxes to them last year before they left for their trip, I also, originally wanted to go with them, but I had no money. I used what little I had,at the time, to ship the materials to them. Later, when I was moving out of my house, I gave alot of the larger school and homeschool items away, to other homeschoolers and others on Freecycle yahoo group.

I wasn't overly sad, but I would never have thought that one day I would be setting up a pre-school, coop, in Phuket Thailand.

"All things work together for good for those who love God and have been called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28 (paraphrased)

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2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. August 3

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August 12, 2009 - Daily Promises Blue Letter Bible August 11, 2009 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6) Our Lord is mighty beyond imagining. His power and strength are above measure. None may stand against the weight of His arm. And He will protect us, His people, to everlasting.

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Great week - it was promised that we should have the school building completed by 8/22 - all Glory to God -August 9

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Great day at the camp school, 30 people, which included children, young mothers and their babies. We now start with 'assembly' - prayer and songs. They are learning 'Yes Jesus Loves me', with signs. Please pray for continued success, getting the Word out, getting the educational resources we need, and health care for the children and young mothers, Amen - August 2


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We got approval to erect classrooms at the camp for the children and their parents. This is major for us, because it only happened through God. We plan to use a trailer/container for the classrooms, pray for us...July 31

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God's Grace is Sufficient... I will praise Him in the midst of the storm. -Jesus is the 4th Man in my fiery furnace. -His strength is made perfect in my weakness. -I never would have felt His strength unless I had got to the point that I realized my weakness. -I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me. July 19

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SERMON THIS MORNING ON THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD (New Birth, online)- DANIEL 3, 1THESSALONIANS 5:23, 24 , Psalm 34:4,6, 19 - I GOT A TESTIMONY ABOUT GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, Bishop said, "There are those who have attended your funeral, but you are still here, you h...ave overcome adversity". I have great potential for great praise, God has shown Himself Great in my life, I've been through the storm. I can't hold my peace, I praise Him.July 19

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Great day - I'm going to Malaysia tomorrow night to get another extension on my visa - 'Visa Run' - Pray for me. The last time I went to Burma for the extension, and it was a great trip, but I only got a 15 day extension. This is suppose to be 30-60 days. (I got 90 days, which surprised everyone) So I'm going for it, I don't know how much longer the LORD is going to have me here, but I want to be ready.July 18

Jerry's original interpreter, has left, she didn't like me much because she said I had no money,and gave me a hard time. She was a successful business woman, I will not give her name. But she just disappeared, stopped coming, and never called. This was after I returned from my Malaysia visa trip. She was surprised that I got a 90 day visa, I had used her contacts for the trip, and she thought I would get 30 days at the most. So, we went from seeing her every day to nothing. She decided everything connected with the school. From which mothers got formula, and which children should get goody bags. This was based on her whims, not Christian principles, which she did not agree with. I never got angry with her, no matter what she said to me or about me. When she told a child they couldn't have a goodie bag because she had something against the child's mother, I would give them one anyway. Jerry doesn't even understand why she left,but the parents at the camp are happy, they say they never liked her, because she did not like them. But I am still praying for her. God can save anybody. The seed has been planted. I talked to her about Jesus Christ's love for her, and I think Jerry has too. It's in God's hands. What we really need is a Burmese interpretor,that's my prayer now. I believe that we need to give the children bilingual training, not just teach them English.

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Wonderful day at the ABC day school in Phuket. My students loved the puzzels I brought. I am still praying and seeking help with the ESL Christian curriculum. But I am learning that I teach Jesus Christ, and depend on the Power of God to get the Word out, His Word - to teach and show the children, and their parents, that Jesus Christ loves them. July 17

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Has not been to the camp for a few days, I missed my students. I have something new for them next time, some puzzels I found at a book store, they'll love 'em. July 14

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Your destiny is as a Prophet. A prophecy can come as a dream, by painstaking writing, as an inner impression, a visualization, or vision, even take off from an earlier passage of Scripture. The prophet gives the message a literary or oratory shape, but the prophet doesn't create the message itself. That comes from the One who spoke through the prophets ...

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It has rained really hard for the last two days, it was more than a 'Georgia thunder storm'. I'm getting an idea of what they mean by the monsoon season. But God is good, I slept through most of it. July 12
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Great trip to Burma (Mynamar). It was basically a van trip, 5 hours to the border, passport checked, then a 20 min boat trip to Burma, they stamped our passports, 20 min back to Thailand, then lunch at a small local restaurant (which looked like som...eone's home), then back to Phuket. Met some interesting people on the van, some were US 'expats'. I wasn't scared, but didn't know what to expect. God was in control..July 9

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Kathryn Lyria Susan- mom this is awesome. I miss you but know you are right where God wants you to be. So stay strong...and ill see u one day!!! Love u mucho!

Yes, I am where God wants me for now. What's next I do not know, but I trust Him and I know He will direct my path. Africa, Jamaica, Peace Corps? I don't know, but I do know it will be more than I can ask or imagine. He is just that good. I have grown so much in Him since I've been here.

Yes, I also know I will see you again one day, on this side or the other side of Glory.

And yes, I am strong in Him = STRONG WOMAN IN GOD.

I have done a good job in raising my children, as He wanted them to go, and I have to trust that they will one day return to God's path. But I know He has written my name in the Book of Life, and I got a few check marks beside my name, and jewels in my crown as a Mom.
July 13

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I was reminded today that God loves me very much - as sure as God is God and I am who I am, I will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision that God has for me. I AM WHO HE SAYS I AM, even as I go through the valley experience. July 6

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Fantastic day - just completed 2 days at the ABC Day school, taught the students two new songs - He's a Big God and Jesus Loves Me, both with hand movements (hope I did it right). They are learning the ABC song. I try to add as much as I can to music, children seem to learn faster that way and they are more interested. We sing and play circle games, too, they love it.

Afterwards stopped at a nursery and Jerry got some pots for his ...plants outside and I bought two orchids, 40 bahts each (about $1.76 each).

Jerry found a space near the camp, on the camp grounds actually, that he can use free for classes. July 5

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This morning a friend took me to the international school where I filled out an application and gave them copies of my documents. I now must send in copies of my transcrips. The human resource person, Michael (who is Thai, but born and raised in Ne...w York), gave me a tour of the school, which is huge, and well managed. They are also up to date, technology wise. I would love to work there. Thank you Jesus! (they did not call me about the job, I applied at two other schools after this. But they never called me back, am I too old? Everyone is looking at me funny. Jerry prayed about one of the later jobs I applied for, copied my transcripts and resume for me, and stated I was getting this job. I felt funny, because it seemed that he was determined that he would help me get the job. I felt 'funny' because I have learned that God always the glory. I believe that God wants me to choose, a regular school and paycheck, or trusting Him in ministry and missions).July 1

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Today resting and working on the internet. Jerry went to check on the transportation to the camp. Tomorrow I am going to the international school to apply for a English teacher position. Yesterday applied at the ECC (English teacher for adults). Please pray for favor.June 30 at 6:03pm

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I went to New Birth online today, it was so good. He talked about the mind of Christ, think like God. Dream dreams - He said everyday he prays for each of his family members individually - 'God's Kingdom come and His Will be done in their ...lives' - I pray the same thing in my children's lives, in my life, too. People may hate you, there will always be haters, who don't dream or think like God thinks. But dream...June 28

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! (60th)

JUNE 15, 2009 PHUKET, THAILAND

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It' my birthday, I'm having a party, I got presents, I'm so grateful... I spent the day mostly inside. I didn't see Jerry. We are not scheduled to go to the camp today, Nancy, our interpreter, went to Bangkok on business, she is our ride because Jerry only has two motocycles, and we can't carry the school supplies on them.

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My parents sent money, I got lots of Happy Birthday Greetings, and I am happy. Some one sent me this birthday wish of Celene's song "Because you loved me..." I am where I am because God loved me, and He will take care of me.

Pre-school project

June 14, 2009- Today was my 3rd day visiting the work camp. I am now officially working with the little ones, 3-7 years old. They do not speak English, some speak Thai and some speak a Burmese dialect. Nancy, who is American -Thai, helps me as I teach them their Alphabet and numbers. Most of these little one are so eager to learn, it really touches my heart. I plan to get this ESL program for little children at the end of the month.

This is a A.C. E. Christian ESL program, and it will allow me to not only teach them English, but also teach them about Christ, which is the whole point. Right? We are also trying to determine how we can help the mothers, through a cottage industry project. Continue to pray for us...

Today is Friday - end of another week in Phuket, Thailand. It is sometimes a fight to stay focused and not give in to despair...

Positioning in the Will of God

The Spirit has really been moving today in my life. In addition to the previous post, I receive this prophecy which also talks about positioning myself in the Will of God.....

What Next?

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17)
What Next? My Utmost for His Highest Oswald Chambers - June 8, 2009 - "Determine to know more than others. If you do not cut the moorings, God will have to break them by a storm and send you out. Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and you will get your eyes open. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the smooth waters just inside the harbour bar, full of delight, but always moored; you have to get out through the harbour bar into the great deeps of God and begin to know for yourself, begin to have spiritual discernment."

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This is exactly what God has done with me. My house was forclosed, I was evicted from the apartment I then moved into because I was not making enough money, because of little pay from substituting, and then I was paying my Chapter 13 fees, trying to do right and pay off my bills, but I had no money to live on. I ended up staying with one of my daughters, much to the dismay of her house mates. It was an uncomfortable situation.

'But all things work together for good for those who love

God and have been called according to His purposes.'

(Romans 8:28 paraphrased)

So now I have been cut loose from all that is familiar. I had originally planned to go to Kenya and check out this PACE missionary educational facility outside of Nairobi. For some reason that did not work out. I decided to come to Thailand, after much prayer and seeking God's Will. I am now in a place working with people who look nothing like me, do not speak English, except my brother, Jerry and his Thai friend who helps interpret. I must walk a fine line between not acting like I know it all, not antagonizing my brother, and acting humble, while acknowledging what God has done in me. This experience has taught me humility, and I am being led to a closer walk with God than I ever dreamed possible.

I am in -

"...the great deeps of God and begin to know for yourself,

begin to have spiritual discernment."

I am here in Thailand, Phuket. I left Monday, Georgia Time, and arrived here Wednesday, Thailand time, I lost a day. Because it took so long, I am not really jet lagged, just tired, but my brother has not let me really rest. But he was prepared for me and has really made me feel at home. He has a four story town house,and has given me two floors, which includes a bedroom, office, bathroom, and kitchen. The trip took 26 hours total. It didn't seem so long, I was so tired from getting ready for the trip, plus working two jobs, I needed the rest and down time.
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I flew from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, where I walked pushing a cart with my luggage, from the domestic terminal to the international terminal, it wasn't too far. When I reached the terminal, the first thing I saw was the Asian terminal. Everywhere I looked I saw 100s of Asian people. I was the only American or African American person there. People looked at me as if to figure out why I was there. I finally found the correct ticket coundter, and got in this long line. I knew the family behind me was talking about me, they were talking up a storm, but would not meet my eye. I was a little disconcerted when I got to the counter and the agent did not speak English. He looked over my trip, talked to someone else, and finally gave me a boarding pass and checked my luggage without charging me extra for the weight. I had already paid $40 for my two checked bags. I took my bags for x-ray, left them, and then went through security. The most difficult part of security was taking my laptop out of my carry on bag each time, I think I did this for a total of 4 times - in Georgia, LAX, Taiwan, and finally in Malayasia where I had a 6 hour layover. It wasn't bad, I slept, walked around the airport, and bought a weird hot dog, that I don't know what was in it.

ARRIVAL IN THAILAND

I arrived in Phuket Thailand June 3, 2009. I actually left Georgia June 1, 2009. Thailand is 11 hours ahead of Georgia, USA.