April 2020 - Peace Be still

Wow things have changed a lot in a month.  

At the end of February we booked tickets to Canada for June.  We had no idea what would happen in a few short weeks. Ephraim’s school was shut down and school was over for the year.  Homeschooling was the new norm. Church had to stop meeting. People were asked to stay inside and only go out for ‘necessities’.  The world was brought to its knees.

Initially we tried to get home.  We tried to change our flights, sat on the phone for hours waiting, only to find out we had to call someone else.  Unanswered calls and messages to the airline, washed passports and closed airports. Here we are.  

I cried, a lot. I wondered why we couldn’t get home.  I could hear in my spirit as loud as can be, ‘Peace be still.’  It’s not a peace that comes from the world, but a peace that passes all understanding.  In the midst of chaos, confusion and fear, my heart can rest confidently in Him.

In that story in the bible, Jesus speaks to the storm to be still.  The disciples saw the storm. It was a real storm that raged all around them.  Strong enough for fishermen to fear it. It didn’t rattle Jesus.

The ‘storm’ happening around the world is real.  It’s scary for many people. The thing is, we determine how we react to the storm.  What are we filling our hearts with? Do we spend time scrolling the news stories, social media and other reports?  Or do we fill ourselves up with the word of God? He’s the God of peace.

We really feel God is keeping us here for this time.  We did our part to try and get back. We don’t know why we’re here, but we’re doing what we can to encourage our people and to make the best of it all.  I know it’s crazy around the world, but I have such peace in my heart.  

I am not a homeschooling mom.  I never wanted to do that. Staying home is not my thing, I like to stay busy.  Still, we are finding new ways to do things here and to enjoy it.

God is doing something on the earth.  I don’t know exactly what it is. He’s bringing families back to basics.  He’s slowing us down. He’s opening hearts to Him. We’re believing that Thailand will be more open to the gospel after this; that they will be awakened to who He is.  

Things on the earth will never be the same.  We don’t have to have all the answers, but we can still be a light to those in fear.  God will use this. So in the midst of this, draw your peace from Him. We are praying for you.

Please keep us in your prayers.  Believing that God can restore our passports when it’s time to fly.  He’s in the business of making the impossible, possible.

We are safe.  We have food (and toilet paper).  We are continuing to pastor in new ways.  We love you.

Stay in touch.

Much love,Kris, Tab and Ephraim