Rain rain go away

So I guess rainy season is starting because we're starting to get those furious downpours that start without warning. Reminds me of some stories Philip shared of his experiences in Cambodia. But as much as I'd like to praise God for his wonderful creation and bringing down rain on both the righteous and unrighteous in his grace that covers all, it sucks when I'm riding around on a little motorcycle...And I forgot my poncho.

Example: I was helping my friend get a carwash and about ten minutes out into the city it starts pouring. She's following behind me in the dry safety of a car and laughing at me while I'm looking for this carwash place and getting drenched. Then I stop and realize that it's pretty stupid to get a carwash now that it's raining. So we drove back, and I was drenched. I swear it did not look like it was going to rain.

Here's a nice verse I found about rain:
Isaiah 45:8 "Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it."

God sends rain to nourish his creation and how crucial water is to all life! I'm sure farmers would know that no matter how well they planted or pulled weeds or whatever, only the providence of God in life-creating and life-sustaining rain will make crops grow.

So I have some praise report about God's "rain" that is creating fruit in the ministry here. Now after STEM left, I really had 2-3 weeks of very unproductive ministry. I had no idea what God wanted me to do and I was getting so frustrated that I was doing nothing. But just this past week, we got the green light to teach in Chiang Mai University, I guess as official tutors or something. We were expecting about seven people - turns out the head professor of the photography major offered to pay for 50% of the classes we're teaching and we ended up with over twenty students! Also in the private English classes I've been teaching at Grace Fellowship, the attendance has been growing and I'm having to start another class.

Sidenote: Teaching English is a lot harder than I thought. Growing up using English I think we forget how hard of a language it actually is. So if anyone wants to do ministry here in Thailand short term or longer term like me, I highly recommend taking some ESL classes or getting a license - it will open doors of opportunity for you as well as helping the students greatly.

Teaching guitar has also been good. There are a few non-Christians that come out and are interested and since I teach them out of a praise book, they are giving praise to God without knowing it! But let's pray that God would open their hearts to the meaning of the songs they are singing and that the words would pierce their hearts with eternal-life giving impact.

Once again, I wanted to thank you all for encouraging me with notes and emails and especially prayer. I truly believe that God is hearing every prayer and answering. There is great work to be done and being done here in Thailand. I may be here working, and you may be across the sea praying, but it is God that causes growth and bearing of fruit, so all glory to Him!