Thankful for... these young people too!

Our main role over these past 10 years in Thailand has been to support and encourage Karen young people to be faithful and committed followers of Jesus. However, we have also had the privilege to host three BMS Action Teams - in 2007/8, 2010/11, and 2013/14.

Our 2007-08 Action Team in Musikee: Mike, Sarah, Dave and Katie

I am so thankful for the opportunity that Lizz and I have had to work alongside these teams. Each 6 month placement was busy - from meeting each team at the airport, orientating them to Thailand, introducing them to their weekly schedules, liasing with local leaders, dealing with various issues as they arose, to finally debriefing each team and saying emotional goodbyes.

Our 2010-11 Action Team in the countryside: Peter, Sarah, Hannah and Ross

Every team is different, and every individual unique - but one of the highlights of our experience with all three teams was the time we spent together in Bible study and prayer. It was great to see each young person being challenged by God in an unfamiliar and sometimes hostile environment, and watching them emerge with a stronger, more mature faith. And the best thing is that this process isn't done yet. We hear regularly from our ex-Action Teams, and we do our best to meet up when we're in the UK - we even had a wedding invitation a few weeks ago!

Our 2013-14 Action Team at Siloam: Hannah, Sarah, Rosie and Hannah

There's so much more I could say about the Action Teams - the way that they interacted so well with our kids, for example, having lots of fun together and becoming big brothers and sisters for those 6 months. Or the way we saw each Team develop great relationships with local young people in their schools, hostels and churches. Or the way that, through their hard work and perseverance, they made a valuable contribution to the local churches - and set an example for others to follow. In fact, it was spending time with Action Teamers that inspired some of the Karen young people into mission themselves.

So, for these reasons and more, I am thankful for the Action Teams.

Thankful for... these young people

As I write, 14 young Karen missionaries are travelling south from Chiang Mai, on their way to a 3 week mission trip in Cambodia. They are some of the most impressive young people I have ever met.

With the Mission to Cambodia Team just before departure

This is the first 'international' mission trip that the Thai Karen Baptist Youth have ever done - so these young people are stepping into the unknown! For most of them, when they cross the border early tomorrow morning into Cambodia, it will be the first time in their lives that they have left Thailand.

Reading Acts 13:1-3 with the team. A wonderful privilege to be involved in this 'sending' (Photo: Lu Hawley)

I am so thankful for the privilege of working alongside these young people over the past few years. Their faith has inspired me; their courage has challenged me; their passion for God and his gospel has continually impressed me. I stand humbled before their willingness to follow God's call to cross-cultural mission, to share the good news of fullness of life in Christ with all the world's peoples.

Please pray for the Team as they travel overnight, and as they spend the next few weeks working alongside Cambodian church planters in rural areas of northern Cambodia.

Saying goodbyes

This June we will be leaving Thailand to return to the UK. I (Pete) will be starting a 3 year ministerial training course at Spurgeon's College, London, in September. During this time, we will be based as a family in Birmingham, where Abigail, Jacob and Chloe will be going to school. After nearly 10 years in Thailand, this is a big change - and right now our life is a whirl of preparing to leave, packing boxes and farewell meals.

Goodbyes are never easy...

This isn't a fun time - in fact, these goodbyes are probably the hardest thing we have done here. But I was encouraged today by speaking to a friend, who reminded me to keep an attitude of thankfulness in the midst of the sadness and sense of loss.

Not an easy road - but there is a way through.

Without denying the difficult reality of these days, I can still thank God for all the amazing experiences we have had over the past 10 years - including driving on 'roads' like the one in the picture above!

I can thank God for the incredible opportunities we have had to live, work and minister in such diverse places as Bangkok, Musikee and Chiang Mai.

And, especially, I can thank God for all the wonderful and inspirational people we have had the privilege to meet and count as friends. They have truly transformed my outlook on so many things - and they have taught me so much about what it means to faithfully follow Jesus in all areas of life.

One of our favourite places in Thailand - with some of our closest friends.

As part of the leaving process, I'm going to use this blog to explain some of the aspects of our life here in Thailand that I am most thankful for. So look out for those over the coming few weeks!