Faith Matters Tales of Thailand Life

I am writing this to you from the nation of Thailand. It’s a long way from Middlefield.

The world is now such an inter-connected place through the wonder of air travel. In 30 hours or so, we can be most anywhere in the world. Of course, the long journey leaves you a bit bedraggled after so many hours in airplanes, airports and different time zones. Lack of sleep also takes its toll.

Upon arrival, we were confronted with a new language, different culture and a humbling sense of unfamiliarity. Nevertheless, Glenda and I were able to meet a friend from Australia who had planned a unique and interesting day of exploring the expansive city of Bangkok.

us have a preference for that which is familiar. We tend to shy away from food, experiences or even places that are new and different. We feel more at ease or safe by limiting our exposure to that which is unknown or out of our comfort zone. Even our relationships with other people are often governed by mostly relating to people who think and act like we do.

However, I have learned that there is often great opportunity for personal growth and influence by intentionally moving outside of my comfort zone.

By Roger Kruse

With a population of over 10 million peo ple, the traffic was crawling along at times. No need for you and I to bother about the occasional frustration of Amish buggies that slow us down on the roads of Geauga County.

We enjoyed seeing the Grand Palace established in 1782, becoming the residence of King Rama I. There are 54 acres of ornate temples, throne rooms, hallways decorated with exquisitely painted murals, statues and an emerald Buddha. People from all over the globe were wandering around in the heat of the day, with the sound of different languages filling the air.

I particularly liked the beautiful Bonsai trees of many shapes and sizes, meticulously groomed and gracefully situated around the grounds.

Later on, we ascended to the tippy top of the tallest building in Bangkok, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, 88 stories high. From there, the sight of seemingly countless mega high-rise buildings was impressive, despite the heavy blanket of smog hanging over the metropolis.

Later that evening, we enjoyed a feast of Thai food with its complex array of exotic flavors and spices. However, a sampling of green chicken curry with chilies left me coughing, with plenty of sweat on my brow.

As I think about my life, I have a tendency to gravitate to what I know best. In fact, many of

Jesus ignored the limitations of Jewish thinking by intentionally traveling into the territory of the Samaritans. In John 4, we read the story of Jesus, sitting down by a well, near a village named Sychar. There, He started a conversation with an immoral woman who was undoubtedly scorned and rejected by her own people. Not only did Jews and Samaritans have animosity and distrust for one another, but it was highly unusual for a man to speak to an unknown woman in a public place. None of those cultural restrictions stopped Jesus from lovingly reaching out to her. Instead, He saw only a needy life, thirsty for the living water He came to bring.

As a result of Jesus’ willingness to interact with the Samaritan woman, both she and many others within her village were radically changed by the Savior’s transforming power. The history of the people of Sychar was forever changed because Jesus opened Himself to new possibilities.

What about you? How could you take steps to meet new people, discover new experiences or even go to new places to share the love of Christ? Are you limiting what God wants to do in and through your life? The horizons of God’s blessings are endless when we consider stepping out in faith to become an instrument in God’s hand.

Roger Kruse is an introvert by nature. Nevertheless, he has learned to trust God for the courage to share God’s love in many new places.