Solid Rock

Friday night we have what is called "Solid Rock," a youth night with the children from the villages nearby and Chiang Klang. They come to the clinic and we have a time of playing games like UNO, Jenga blocks, drawing or coloring, etc. Then we have a Bible story and a time to teach English. This night was particularly special, b/c it was the night to tell the story of Jesus' resurrection. The last Friday was on His death on the cross. I was so interested to see if the kids would understand it. The Ashburns pulled out the colorful felt board and had beautiful figurines of characters in the story to put up as Ajan Nui told the story in Thai to the children. She has Ajan in front of her name b/c she is a "professional" or "schooled." She has been to Bible school and is excellent with captivating the children's attention. She asks them questions back in the middle to make sure they get it and are listening. Afterwards, Mary offered for the children to ask any questions about how to know Jesus more either tonight or another night. We'll see what happens in the future.
After that, we all piled into one Toyota truck (18 of us) and went into town on a Friday night! That was fun! We took the kids out to eat in Chiang Klang. The Ashburns do this regularly with the children. There are two ladies that have carts set up like vendors and have woks out and cook fresh pat thai right in front of you. The Ashburns switch back between the two ladies each Friday in order to let them share the business. It was so yummy and fun to sit with the kids and hang out. Afterwards, we continued the ritual and went into the nearby stores. These kids look forward to Solid Rock so much that they save up their money for Friday nights so they can buy a treat after dinner at the stores. We all mostly got ice cream cones. I knew how much it meant to those kids, or at least tried to imagine. Afterwards, our toyota taxi service dropped each one off at their homes. I was squeezed in the back seat with four other girls. In the bed of the truck were where all of the kids were. One little boy had memorized some songs in English and he was belting them out so loudly and proudly. One was "Jesus loves me" and the other was "Christmas is a time to love." Imagine how we were smiling. I pray they know the words. What a testimony it is to those parents who see their kids being loved on week after week by the Ashburns as they treat the kids to dinner. That is a consistent witness that hopefully leaves an impression on what Christianity is truly about, loving one another. The Ashburns will only be here through May, so please help pray for their work to be continued through the next family that comes back after being gone for two years.

Solid Rock was more than just a night to me... it showed me how SPECIAL and CHOSEN those kids were. Imagine of all people in all remote villages, these kids were getting the opportunity of more than a lifetime to hear about the Lord. wow, i suddenly realized how thankful i am to know too. they are building a firm foundation in thailand.