Earthquakes, Airplanes, & Songkran, Oh My!
I nearly panicked
It’s been a month since the earthquake. Around 1:30 in the afternoon I was cleaning up my kitchen after lunch before heading back to work. As I was walking to wipe down the counter I lost my balance and had to brace myself on the counter. I thought to myself, “How did I just fall like that lol!” Then I quickly realized the the whole house was swaying. I went outside. I tried to find my footing by holding onto the wall but it was like trying to stand on a waterbed. I kept waiting and waiting for it to stop. It lasted around a minute but it felt like forever.
As we started getting more information we learned that a 7.7 earthquake that hit in Myanmar. About 300-400 miles away from where I am. I didn’t believe it at first. How was it so strong in Chiang Mai? It hit Bangkok quite hard as well. A building under construction fell to rubble.
Myanmar, an already impoverished country with unrest from war and genocide, incurred great devastation. My heart broke to see the pictures of it. Last I heard the death toll was over 3,000. How do you even begin to address the damage from the earthquake in a country that was already in desperate need?
It took nearly 3 hours for my nerves to finally settle. Being from CA I was expecting aftershocks. By the grace of God my house is okay and the community center is okay. All AG global workers are accounted for. Myanmar and parts of Thailand have some rebuilding to do. I pray that this is an open door for people to experience the peace and provision of God.
The very next day I left for a 4 day work retreat. I think I was a bit traumatized from my flight to Thailand because I nearly panicked on the flights to the retreat. It was two 1-hour flights to get there (same on the way back). The longest hours of my life! I was still on edge from the earthquake. I hate flying. We had to fly through storm clouds. I about cried every flight haha!
I enjoyed the retreat though. It was nice to hangout with coworkers outside of a work environment. I think we all needed the break.
Happy Songkran
Songkran is the Thai New Year. It is in April. Traditionally, you would walk around a pour water on each other’s hands to represent the cleansing of the past year and a fresh start to the new year. Culturally, it is a nationwide water fight. People all over the world come to Thailand to join the 3-day festivities. Virtually everywhere you go you will be sprayed with a water hose or squirt gun or drenched with a bucket of water. Thailand is in the year 2568. Not only am I 12-14 hours ahead of you, I am also 543 years ahead.
Would you pray for the people of Thailand to know that Jesus alone can cleanse us? Pray that they would know that in Christ the old is gone and the new has come.
It’s official
I’ve been here for about 6 months now. So much had changed while I was gone that it has taken me a while to find my place again. As I’ve been praying about what my role is I think I figured it out. I get to oversee the organization of the community center. It needs to be cleaned, organized, and set up to run more efficiently. And I get to do that! If you know me at all then you’ll know just how much I enjoy cleaning and organizing.
This will allow us to serve the kids, the church, and the community in a greater capacity. We desperately need a bigger space. Until that happens, I will make the most of the space we have now. If there’s a “down-side” it would be that I am also responsible for the budget. We do not have the funds for any upgrades or improvements. I will be responsible to do that. If you would like to sponsor a project or bring a team to help let me know!!
Some plans that I have are to:
Upgrade sports equipment: badminton net and equipment, pingpong table, soccer balls, volley balls, basketball hoop and balls, etc.
Upgrade kitchen: new burner, shelves, pots and pans, utensils, etc.
Add built-in shelves in the main room for games, books, craft supplies etc.
There’s more I’m planning to do but that should give you an idea of some of the costs. I am so excited to take on these projects. I know it will take time but it will be worth it.
Let me know if you’d like to help in any way! Keep in mind these costs are outside of my own personal budget.
Speaking of…
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Many of you responded to my last newsletter. Some of you started or re-started monthly giving or doubled your commitment or gave a very generous one-time donation. Nearly $9,000 came in last month! The monthly support increased by around $500. Thank you!
That means that I need $1,500 in monthly support. Which is down from $2,000.
You can help by sharing with your Sunday school class/life group/Bible study, missions pastor, friends and family. Let them know about what I do. The lives that are being changed here in Thailand. You can also help by making a monthly commitment if you haven’t yet, increase your giving by $5-10, ask your church if they are increasing the number of missionaries they support, etc. You can pray for the Lord to provide in ways that only He can.
To further express my gratitude for your support and to encourage you I want to share a scripture verse with you from 1 Samuel 30:23-24. David and his men had just come back from war with the Amalekites. When they returned the men that had gone out did not want to share the plunder with those who had stayed back.
This was Davids response: My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us. Who can agree to your proposal? The share of the one who goes into battle is the be the same as the share of the one who remains with the supplies. They will share equally.
As I read that I thought of each person that supports me, supplies my needs. Not everyone is called to this life, though we are all called to go. I cannot do what I do without you. You might not think you what you give is much but it is everything to me. I only have what is given to me. I am more than looking forward to sharing my reward with you. You might “remain with the supplies” but you will share equally with me in the reward of sharing the Good News in Thailand. I’ve said this countless times, there will be a long line of people to introduce you to in heaven. They will be there because you invested in me, in my calling.
If you have a chance to visit Thailand you can meet some of them this side of heaven. I promise you their faces will be etched on your heart forever.
I’m in tears as I write this. Your prayers matter. Your giving, however great or small, makes a huge eternal impact for the Kingdom. Thank you!!!!
He is risen indeed
Easter isn’t really a thing here. Sadly, even at some churches. Christmas is a huge celebration. But Easter? Not so much.
Without the resurrection Christmas doesn’t matter. It’s great that Jesus was born. Immanuel, God with us. But, if Jesus wasn’t resurrected then his birth isn’t anything to celebrate. All of Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Nothing matters if Jesus isn’t alive.
I had the opportunity to give the Easter message at church. A church that is fairly new filled with baby Christians. New believers that have zero reference for the Gospel or the Bible or Jesus. So, it was important for me to express just how crucial and imperative it is to know and believe in the resurrection.
I explained a few different prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, the significance of Jesus appearing to over 500 people, we must believe and confess, and if Jesus left he’s coming back.
It may have been a little bit of information overload lol but, like I mentioned earlier, all of Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Resurrection Sunday should be the greatest day of celebration in Christianity.
I am excited for what the power of the resurrection is going to continue to do in this church and community. Every week new people join us. Lives are being changed!
Keep in touch
Here are some ways that you can stay connected with me:
Signal and WhatsApp: 661-331-5128
Instagram: @perhapsstateofmind
iMessage: essjaydubb@pm.me
email: sara@missionthailand.co
