The blessing of dirty dishes

We live next to a music school and on Saturday mornings the sounds of the piano or electric guitar can be heard.  The owner invited our kids over to spend time at their home/ music school to visit with other children.

Today Jack spotted a couple kids outside and asked if they could go over.  Although we share a fence, the enterance is on the road behind us.  I let Jack ride his bike over and once he had permission to stay, I took Callie to the fence and lifted her over.  A woman came running over, "Where are you from?!"

Before I continue, let me paint a picture for you: I was in one of Ken's t-shirts (that had been smeared with cinnamon from baking), yoga pants, my hair was piled on top of my head, I was sporting my glasses, and had batter on my hands because I was in the process of making bread.  I was a hot mess (it was 90 degrees outside;)

I smiled and and told her, "America."  I learned that she is Thai, but married a Westerner and lived in America for over a dozen years.  She moved back here in the Spring and felt lonely, didn't really know anyone, missed the U.S. and her son, (age 6) wanted to move back home.  She said that Christmas-time didn't feel the same, so I invited her to a Christmas pageant that we would be attending.  She said, "Yes! You know about God?  I am Buddhist but I want to know and I want to teach my son, but I don't know anything about it.  I know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday."

Shocked, and elated, I quickly agreed to teach her and invited her over. She hugged me (this is not common here!)  I wanted to cry and here's why:  I prayed just 2 days ago that God would give me someone who wanted to hear the Gospel.  We've shared with many people here and although they are kind and polite, they want nothing to do with the Gospel.  But now, someone is ASKING ME TO TEACH HER ABOUT THE LORD!!!

Her son came over to play and I went back to baking and cooking because we had invited a family over for dinner.  A bit later there was a knock at the door.  Callie's new Thai friend (who doesn't speak English) was smiling through the window.  My heart felt full.  The Lord is literally bringing people to our home!!

Soon after, my new friend was at the door to collect her son.  She sat and visited with me for a while and I invited her to stay for dinner. She said, "Really?"  I nodded.  She stood up, hugged me and began crying.  I don't remember what she said exactly, but she thanked me.

As I cooked she talked with me about how homesick she was, even though this is her country, she had been away so long that it no longer felt like home here.  While she talked with Ken about education and I made a dash for the bathroom to throw some make up on, but in my contacts, and do something with the mop of hair on my head, but there was no time to change my clothes).  I also sent a text to our friends to let them know we'd have extra company for dinner.

The couple that came are wonderful believers and he, though American, was raised here.  So he understood the way she felt.  Isn't that awesome that the Lord brought them?  His timing is perfect!  When it came time to eat, we gathered around to pray. Our new friend called her son over to explain what was about to happen, "We are going to pray to the God now."

Dinner and fellowship was such fun.  Our new friend kept saying, "Who can believe this?  I take my son to music class for the first time and here I am!"  I smiled, "God had a different plan for you today."  When it came time to leave she said, "For the first time in 6 months, I am happy to live here, thank you.  Maybe God want me here today."

After everyone left and the kids were in bed, I stared at the dishes with thankfulness.  Most every plate, cup and pot I had were dirty, but I was thankful because it meant our home was full of people.  I searched for the right word to describe the feeling: joy.  I felt filled with joy.

With dishes done, I sat and realized, "This is what I am here to do."  It's the same thing I did in the states. We have only been here a little less than 3 months, but I felt so scattered: trying to find a church, and plug in to a ministry or outreach, but knowing my primary ministry was to be home, teaching and discipling our children.  But look!  God let me stay home and do just that, AND He brought people to us.  I am just in awe of Him today.

Thank you to all of you who pray for us.  God gave us the right home- not because of the size or layout, but because of the people around it that He is bringing in!  Please keep praying.  I truly hope I am able to teach and share with our new friend and pray that the Lord will continue to equip us to accomplish the work He has for us here.