Pray They Understand

Do you ever just feel unqualified to do even the simplest things. I want so much to report some amazing story and encouragement about our time here. The truth is that I don't have an amazing story. I can offer you something to take joy in, though. By the measurements of what we would call amazing, it's just a passing mention of something. But in the measurements of what God says is Glorious, this is a step closer to Him by a lost girl. and that truly is amazing.
Fai.
Fai is a girl that we've met here. she isn't a Christians, but God is really working in her! She is so interested in the Bible and who God is and what He promises. I went to one of their Bible classes the other week and they were learning about Noah's Ark. At the end they were talking about God's promise not to destroy the world by water again. Fai said that since God has kept that promise, maybe He'll keep the promise to fix the relationship with us.
I can't even think of the right exclamation to express the joy I felt when I heard her say that.
Progress as we measure it is so much slower than in other parts of the world. But God is working in these people. Pray that they will see what it TRULY means to follow Christ. Pray that they don't make these empty commitments. It is so tragic to see someone finally believe in Christ and who He is, but they fall away from the faith because no one told them what they'd have to give up to follow Him. Pray that they will understand and genuinely want to lay down everything for Him!
What is our family, worldview, traditions, friends, or even our very understanding of life and death compared to the promise of eternal life with Christ. I don't mean to say that it's easy to give these things up. But it is, in fact, what Christ calls us to do. To die to ourselves and follow Him. "ourselves" is so much more than our body or our beliefs. It's everything we know and want and understand.

Oh Lord make them see! Lord teach us all how to follow you and love you. We are yours! bring me close to you!

Times you say "what in the world do I do now"

My roommate and I were walking home last night after a LONG day of preparing for our party tonight when we were met with a seemingly friendly dog. He was all smiles and playful jumps. Here in Thailand people don't really have pets. (some people do, but the strays greatly out number the pets) So there are a lot of dogs just walking along the streets hoping people will feed them. Being a Buddhist nation, the people are usually very peaceful and not aggressive. Then to add to all of this, they believe in reincarnation. so these dogs could be a "next life" of one of their loved ones. They feed them sometimes to try and earn merit by showing kindness for their next life.
Now, why did I tell you all of that mini background on a piece of Buddhism? The dog that was so friendly and playful became a little too playful. it started to playfully bite at our cloths and our bags. Then he decided to play tug of war with our cloths and bags. If I was back home I probably would have punted that dog across the parking lot. (a mild exaggeration, of course) But this is Thailand and I'm here to represent Christ, and to show the Thai people what Christians really look like. Kicking a dog that could, in their beliefs, be one of their ancestors is not the impression I want to leave in their minds.
This is where we asked the question, "What in the world to we do now?" I tried to gently push it away, pull it by it's collar, gently nudge it with my foot. All of these resulted in me getting bit and at one point the dog really latched onto my hand. No worries though. Just a bruise across the top. I was so thrilled to see a Thai guy coming to our rescue! he did some motion with his hand and the dog started to run away, but he's a persistent puppy. Once we all thought he was gone. He snuck up the stairs of my building (the stairs are outside) and latched onto my bag again. Luckily the Thai guy was still standing near. He came to our rescue once again, and my roommate and I ran to our room.
This all just goes to show that culture really does effect you over seas. It's hard to find the balance of what should I do and what can I do? It's so hard! Tune in next time for more stories from the front lines.

A time such as this.....

Hi everybody. IT'S HERE! I'm currently at orientation for my 4 months in Thailand where I'll be loving on thai college students. I can't believe.......well I can, but it's so amazing still........that God has sent me out, provided and is still providing, and spiritually preparing me to be His witness to the Thai people. As I've been examining myself these past few days, I've realized that my focus is in the wrong place.
I know it's right to love the Thai people and want to see them come to Christ, but that is not the focus of my life. God is showing me that I am concentrating too much on the serving and not nearly enough on our relationship. Christ is the center of my life. Christ is the reason I am anything at all. My witnessing is just the outpouring of the Holy Spirit inside of me. But how do I take a realization and turn it into a new attitude. Well.... I don't. 'I' don't do anything. 'I' did not bring myself out of death. 'I' did not reveal the truth of Christ and the Gospel of my salvation to myself. This is the work of GOD in me. He sought me out and picked me up and put me on his shoulders.
I was praying tonight and wanted so bad to have a better offering to give Him besides myself. I'm (in myself) tainted and ruined. I know that it would be better to be just his servant than to fend for myself. But what does he say when I come surrendered to him?
You are my CHILD!
I am a son of God!
I know that sounds weird because I"m a girl, but hang with me for a second. Scripture talks about us being coheirs with Christ. How we are to inherit His kingdom. That would mean positionally we are receiving the rights of the first born son. That's why Positionally only, I am a son, in that I will inherit all that is my father's. but in the other aspect I am his daughter who he adores and adorns. He is making me into his perfected creation. HE is sanctifying me to prepare me for that marvelous day when I will be presented, as will all the body, as the Bride of Christ. Oh what a wonderful tearful, marvelous, splendorous, exciting, and joyful day that will be. I could list off endless adjectives to describe that day, but I think you'd rather I trust that you grasp the extent of my longing and expectation of that day.


Ok so I know this post became longer and different than I originally expected, but I just had to let it out how God is molding my heart. I leave on Thurs. the 9th for Thailand. and I just have to say. if God can work in me this much in just a couple days, what will 4 months look like? Oh Lord come! Come quickly and fall on me! Fill up my cup with your love so that it overflows onto those around me! I ask the same for my team, Lord. Use of. Allow us to be used by you and for you! You, after all, are the reason for all that we are and hope to ever be. It's all you!
AMEN

Haiti in a Nutshell

Haiti was amazing!
This video is just my point of view,
which is so narrow compared to what Haiti is actually like.
I hope you like the video. If you like the song it's
Roger Williams and the All Mixed Up Quartet

With the Love of Christ

God works on the Hearts of sinners with an unfathomable love

So I know that this post has been way over due. sorry about that. So since I posted last, I moved to NW Arkansas I have committed to going to Haiti for spring break and even more exciting, to THAILAND FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER!! (maybe longer) the Thailand trip is going to be a vision trip to see if this is the team I'm gonna join long term. Exciting right? Lately God has really been working in my heart. Yesterday I really, finally, broke down and realized the depravity of my state. Then, today I was praying in the car and basically yelling at myself for not being faithful when God is so faithful and unchanging. I, however, seem to be so weak in my faith and doubt God's plan for me and my ability to hear him. which is why I was yelling at myself today. I was yelling James ch. 1 to myself and how I was basically being the one who asks for wisdom and then doubts so I am like a wave on the sea. Blown and tossed by the wind.

Our God is so patient and wonderful to us. I am the prodigal who continues to rebel against our father but His love is unconditional. He teaches me and corrects me when I go astray, but he never ceases to welcome me with open arms and a loving embrace. THANK YOU FATHER!

Hopefully my next post will be in a video format. we'll just have to see how that goes. so look forward to that. it's gonna be epic! haha ok so maybe not so much.

:-)

This is a picture of my Grandmother holding my nephew, Lucas. Grandmother is turning 92 on fri. (new years eve) I was thinking about it, and I wonder. What untold stories does she still have? Her memory is very weak, so I may never get an answer to that question. But I want the question to be asked any ways.
This is a woman who has 5 kids (3 now) 7 grand children and 6 great grandchildren.
WOW I never met my great grandmother, but my nephew and 5 of my cousins have met their's. But she's so much more than an amazing lineage.
This is a woman who is spunky like any old woman from Texas,
funny as all get out, and still sold out to the will of God!
One of the stories she loves to tell is about how my grandpa, before he died,
told her that she should always rely on God and no one else,
and she would never come up short.
My grandmother relies completely on the generosity of Christian organizations
and her children. No medicare. just the Lord!
So here's to an amazing Christian woman who has seen more than a fair share of life!

Bobbie Jo Williams

Update

I thought a nice update would be nice. Lord willing, I will be in Thailand this summer!! woohoo. I'll be teaching English in a school with the team I am looking at joining long term. The first half of my trip will be with a summer team, and then hopefully I will stay on for a couple more months with just the core team and me. I just need to get my passport in order and raise the support. When I told my dad about it, his response was that he was glad I'd get to learn more about buddhism. =( I continue to pray for my dad. That his heart be broken in a way that full reliance on Christ is the only truth there is. well at least relying on Christ is a crucial piece of the the Truth.
Some prayer requests:
1. My Dad to understand what it is I really plan to do with my life. It's not about living a good life. it's about living a sold out life for Christ
2. For God to provide the money to get my passport taken care of
3. That He will provide the support needed to go on this trip
4. That he would bring forward monthly supporters to support me all through my ministry. not just this trip.

I think that makes for a good update. hope you think so too. :-)

Until next time.
IN HIM,
Ruby