I Can Feel You&Psalm 69

I’m not sure if you’ve heard Bethels song “I Can Feel You” but it is really, really powerful. Even if you’ve heard it before, listen to it now.

Right after doing my Bible study last night, I was listening to that song and randomly flipped to Psalm 69. Verses 1-5 say this “Save me, O God! The water is already up to my neck! I am sinking in deep mud. There is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water. A flood is sweeping me away. I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained from looking for my God.     Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty. They have no reason to be my enemies. I am forced to pay back what I did not steal.     O God, you know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you.”

As all Psalms, this one is powerful. I don’t know where you are in life and how things are going! But I do know that sometimes it can feel like the wind and waves are the only things surrounding you. Just don’t loose heart because Psalm 69:16 also says “Answer me, O Lord, because Your mercy is good. Out of your unlimited compassion, turn to me.”

Remember that the Lord is good and His compasion is unlimited. The Lord listens. “Let the heavens and earth, the seas, and everything that moves in them praise Him.” (Psalm 69:34)

Remember Thailand

Sometimes it crazy to think that a little more than one week ago, we were in Thailand.  We learned so much while we were there, not only about Remember Nhu, but also about the kids there and about ourselves. We loved it just as much as we thought that we would. Getting to know the kids and seeing their love for the Lord was especially amazing, along with sitting and talking with the house parents.

We looked for every opportunity we could -after all, we knew that we we limited on our time there and we wanted to cram in as much as we could. When we could get rides into town, we would go. When we could play with the kids or help with homework, there was no hesitation. Every day was something new to venture into and we loved every moment.

Talking with the kids about their faith in Christ was one of my favorite things. Once, I asked a girl if she knew Jesus and her entire face lit up. She stared up at me and said “Oh yes I love Jesus.” Sweet innocent love shone from her in that moment and I was so, so grateful for Remember Nhu and everything they stand for.

We learned that all of the kids that are at RNhu right now are from different hill tribe villages -these are the kids that are the most at risk. When kids come to RNhu, them and their parents are told that they are coming to be safe, get an education, and RNhu is helping them better the kids’ lives. Another thing unique about RNhu is that when kids come to RNhu they never leave, but RNhu either sends them to college or helps them get a job somewhere. While in Thailand, our team got to visit one hill tribe village -and I personally loved it (see blog here: http://www.sosrevival.wordpress.com/2015/01/04/sawadeeka/ ).

Right now, RNhu is at their max limit for kids. In the next year, they will only be able to accept kds who are of the highest risk. They are in the process of building a new home (which we helped build for two days) so that all the kids can be on the same land together. Their goals for expanding are really amazing and will continue to benefit the kids at and coming to RNhu.

It was an amazing blessing to get to go to Thailand and I know we all left a portion of our hearts there. Continue to join us in prayer for them. The Lord is doing awesome things.

Thank you to everyone who supported us. Also, thank you to people who support RNhu through buying SOS T-shirts (they really appreciated that). And thank you to everyone who donated clothing that we took.

After lunch one day

 This is just one pile, we had another of similar size.

playing with the kids

Hauled around 2,500 bricks

Sa-wah-dee-ka

Sa-wah-dee-ka! Khun-sa-bai-dee-mai-ka? Chan-pood-tai-dai-nid-no-ka.

Hello, and how are you? I can speak a Thai a little. We are slowly learning while we are here with the kids. They patiently teach us, laughing when we mix up words. Each day with them has been filled with adventures! All of the girls and boys are very sweet here, and love to play.

The day we got here, we were already on the move. After all, we only have one week -we need to soak in as much as we can.

It was the second day that I (Candice) completely loved. We got to visit a hill tribe village. The drive there was insane and long, and I was already struggling with sickness, but it was completely worth it. I met these two little girls.

The girl facing the camera, in the red shirt, had immediately came up to me and grabbed my hand and hardly ever let go. I gave her a hug and patted her on the back, and she laughed -she had never been patted before and began to patty my stomach the rest of the day. The other girl in the background was very shy and wouldn’t come but three steps from me -any time I held my hand out to her, she would run away. We brought all the hill tribe children candy and they followed us around the village. Finally, after much coaxing and smiling to the shy girl, I got her to hold my hand. Now I had both girls who would never leave me. These girls have impacted me the most so far, because they do not expect love and affection, but they so desire it. They receive any love that you give with complete adoration. When we had to leave the village, both girls (along with a few other girls) followed us up the entire hill to the very top.

This morning we went to worship and I gave a short testimony about SOS -telling all of them that we pray for, support, and desires to spread love to Remember Nhu. Tonight we will go to the Sunday Night Walking Market and find some good food and other things to buy.

We have all been enjoying being at Remember Nhu and look forward to the days to come.

Please pray for our team in the following ways: Kara is experiencing a tad bit of stomach sickness. Emily is desiring physical energy. Hugh asks that we pray he is able to come home (he loves it here). And my prayer for this whole trip has been “God, give me your eyes to see, and ears to hear your people”.
Thank you for everything! We all send our love!

Chok-dee-na-ka! (Good luck [what they say for goodbye])