Thaierd!

Imagine a piano played so sensitively that the notes create a melody gentle enough to still a crying child (and silence the Soul Touchers). Imagine a voice, which once sounded foreign in both tone and language, now singing to you a song your ears understand. Under the melody a gentle humming starts and although it is a language you have not studied each word meditates on your heart.

Hard to imagine I know. Infact perhaps it is impossible to recreate the atmosphere of the prayer meeting we attended the first evening we arrived at Fah Muang Thai Church, the church we are visiting now. Situated in the outskirts of Bangkok this little house is home to us and has been for the past week. It is home also to a congregation of about fifty Thai people, although they do not sleep on the Sunday School Floor alongside us.

Conducted entirely in Thai one might think it would be impossible to participate however my experience is quite the contrary. And so with eyes closed I listened. For a moment I stopped straining to hear, to join in or to understand I just sat quietly (even more impossible to imagine now I know).

Over the past few days it has become more and more obvious that we have been called here for a reason. We have learned so much from the hospitality of the people here; their kindness knows no bounds. They show what it is to love in a very practical way. Nothing is an inconvenience to them and so morning, noon and night we are well looked after (and fed!)

Since picking us up off the “Venga Bus” (Thai buses are a whole other story but basically they are colourful -I’m talking pink floral designs on the outside, green Thai Silk curtains and red velvet seats on the inside, full of backpackers and can be very comfortable, or so we’re told. Unless however, you have the unfortunate experience of sitting at the very back, awkwardly perched between red velvet seats unable to get into a position in which you can sleep and to make things worse the hyperactive Israeli gentlemen sharing the red velvet sofa with you talks incessantly for every second of every minute of every hour you are on the bus. Yes all 14 of them! Of course if you chose to visit Thailand I can not guarantee that you will have this privilege, they may charge you extra for the ticket but I would certainly suggest you enquire about it…or not!) the members of the congregation here have done everything in thier power to make us feel at home. And we do!

Before I go any further actually I should introduce a new wee addition to our team. She’s limited edition and so for three weeks and three weeks only we’ve had (and are still having) the most amazing time with Laura (aka Drumzo, Laura Drummond). I’m sure she’ll have her own interpretation of events but hey she doesn’t have her own website so here goes!

Back to the church. Apart from being one of the friendliest communities I’ve ever been in the congregation here at Fah Muang Thai are living examples of how God does not only exist inside the church building and so neither should his people. The fact the building itself is a rented house (and therefore can not accommodate a huge congregation) does not limit the huge impact that this small congregation is having on the Thai community (and now the Soul Touchers plus Laura). Fah Muang Thai church goes out into schools, colleges and other churches teaching. Not only the gospel but it is a training centre for teachers. Today we visited one of the many communities they minister to: The Christian Foundation for the Blind with Multiple Disabilities. Meeting with these children really was like a little taste of heaven. To see them smile and to hear them laugh made my heart ache, in a good way. To watch two of my closest friends embrace, play and communicate with children who could not see (and in some cases neither hear) them and to see their beaming smiles just filled me with joy in abundance.

Now close your eyes and go back to the prayer meeting ‘cause there’s some things I still have to share with you. Some of you are starting to feel comfortable at the mere thought of a prayer meeting never mind one with soft music and people actually praying; bare with me for a second. Others of you will be imagining it quite well having experienced similar meetings either at home or abroad. And then there will be those of you who did actually shut your eyes for a wee second (dummies!) and then remembered you couldn’t read the screen like that. There’s always one.

Go back to imagining that Lorna and I were quiet (I know that will be meditation to your ears) and there is music playing. Sometimes we are not required to talk, to do anything or to be upfront. God requires us to simply listen and enjoy his presence. On Sunday we sang the verse “Be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place”. Some people were so shocked that God was there that they actually cried. So often we sing these words but when God actually shows up it terrifies us. I took this time to reflect and ask God the reason for the events that have occurred so far in Thailand. Trust me there’s been a few.

Last week we were in paradise (here in Thailand they call it Phi Phi Don, it’s a small island in the south very close to the beaches where they shot the film "The Beach" with Leonado DiCaprio). Our day’s activities consisted of swimming in crystal clear blue waters, lazing on white sands, eating fruits freshly picked from the surrounding trees and listening to Bob Marley. In our defense we we’re recovering from the fiasco in which I ended up in hospital in India but yes I know we’re bloomin’ fortunate! The weirdest thing was that despite the idyllic surroundings I could not relax; I’ve actually never felt more uncomfortable. Yes, I had my two best buds with me who made me laugh till my belly ached. We ate nice food, talked about men and even sang along to Chesney Hawks (who I mistakingly thought was the same person as Keith Chegwin for some reason. Has anyone else ever made that mistake?) in full voice. It was about as good as girly time gets but still I felt numb, sick and lost. “Maybe I just need to get back on track with the mission and I’ll feel more settled. Once we get to the orphanage I’ll feel fine.” I convinced myself. What I’ve learned since is that I got that totally wrong. I needed to get back on track with God.

Some people are completely disillusioned, living with the idea that Christians are all in the light. Infact many of these disillusioned people call themselves Christians (I include myself in every dumb mistake ever made, said or thought by any Christian) After all surely we are no longer in darkness if we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour: “I am the way the truth and the light”. On that Island I saw very little light and a whole lot of darkness; people searching, some more desperately than others, for something or someone to make them happy. Don’t get me wrong I am glad that God exposed me to both.

A dear friend and inspiring christain challenged me once. He told me: “the world is dark”. Well that’s kinda obvious we can see that; there are not very nice people and bad things happen all the time. And: “then there is light” he continued. "Those living and walking the way God intended us to live." He described things assosiated with the darkness. Things such as secular music with offensive lyrics, clubs and alcohol. When he spoke to me I could see where he was coming from, almost. “But he is African," I told myself "and they have a different culture”. WRONG. He is Christian and they have a different culture. Or at least we should have. On that island I experienced all of the things he associated with darkness.

Often, in lame attempts to fit in or when struggling not to be seen as “Jesus Freaks” we try to have one foot in the dark and the other in the light. I allowed the world to pull me one way, to think it was ok to have a cocktail, or to listen to bob Marley for a while. Thankfully God was holding my other hand and his love always overcomes evil. Now I really don’t want to create the impression we were the walking wounded, hanging out with the Rastas on the beach till the wee small hours. Not by any means. I’m not here to give you a lecture on alcoholism (I really am not qualified for that). You can drink whatever and whenever you like whilst listening to whatever music you like, I merely chose those as examples. But whilst doing these things you should consider how these things affect your relationship with God? Do they strengthen it? If the answer is no then get rid of them!

There were times on that island when I even convinced myself it was ok to fit in. “But I want to be able to communicate with the world”. Surely I have to be like them in some ways.” I questioned myself. “How can I minister to people if they don’t relate to me”. Jesus managed just fine and after all is he not our example. He ministered to the tax collector, murderers and prostitutes but he didn’t become like any of them so that they could relate to him!

When Lorna wrote about Israel she wrote about the armor of God. Ephesians 6 verse 11- 18. Well I believe this time here in Fah Muang Thai is preparing us with the armor we need for the rest of our mission. We are surrounded by Christians who are showing us how to love others. We have the bible of course and we should really know this already being missionaries and all but sometimes God gives everyone a wee helping hand (and personally I needed it). God never tests us beyond what we can cope with, this I know. He has a time for everything a time to work and a time to rest, this I know. And so I am not suggesting that we hibernate within the safe cocoon created by this wonderful Christian community for the rest of our lives, or even trip. That is not at all what God wants. He requires us to be salt and light: “Let your light shine before men, that they will see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” (Mathew 5 16) That is all we desire to be. Unfortunately you can not shine that light if you are living in the darkness. If there are things in your life that are holding you back, giving you that numb uncomfortable lost feeling, the feeling I had only last week, guaranteed they do not come from God. He came to give you life in abundance not a horrible lost feeling. The bad news is for all you peeps who are already believers is that now is the time to give those “dark” things up. Stop kidding yourselves that you can have one foot in each camp, you will always feel torn.

So we are at the last stage of our Thailand experience. It has been three of the most exhausting weeks of my life. The place we went to rest turned out to be a total challenge and mission field and now the place we came to work is providing us with rest (despite the fact we’re sleeping on the Sunday school floor- I’m told the hard wood is as good as any Thai massage). God certainly does work in mysterious ways…his wonders to perform!

It’s those wonders that keep us going! And so on the 29th we’re off again. This time to Hillsongs Church Australia! We will be so sad to leave the friends (family) we have made here but like you guys at home they will be on this journey with us: on the blog and in our prayers.
Love you long time Erica x

Get In Touch Soul Touch

Hi peeps,
Just to let you know that it's now even easier to contact Soul Touch. We were a lil bit slow off the mark (well it only took us 5months to set up) but we now have our own email!

soul_touch @ yahoo.com

Original as ever as you can see! Looking forward to hearing from you all soon! Sending you all our love and blessings from the land that is Thai.
Erica and Lorna xxx

Back in Business! (Well Thailand Actually!)

Last night I sat for about two hours trying to describe what life has been like for Lorna and I over the past few weeks. I attempted to describe the pain in my booty when the nurse in India mistakenly thought it was a pin cushion; how by day and by night my bed in hospital was literally guarded by angels (Rob, Lorna, Raj and Phil- well from a distance) who sang, prayed and looked after me until they eventually released me (no it wasn’t a metal institution I was in but the hospital did drive us all a bit doolally). I think I even took on the relentless task of describing my symptoms incase any of you medics out there could diagnose the unknown fever I contracted; contrary to what I was told in India I refuse to believe there is such a thing as “chickentitus”. To be honest what I was writing probably wasn’t all that funny but in short it was a summary of events. So you can imagine my frustration this morning when, in an attempt to escape the soaring hot sun toasting the holiday makers outside, I came in only to find that they’ve “leeset the comp-pooters sowee”!

Let’s just say this particular soul toucher’s pink skin (I forgot to tell you mum I got a wee bity sun burnt but nothing to worry about.) went a brighter shade of pink…but only for a sec! “Leeseting” the “comp-pooter” has actually been a godsend.

First and foremost it’s saved you all reading the gorey details of my “chickentitus” (for those of you who don’t know about my hospital saga I was ill in India but I’m all better now thanks to Lorna, Robert, Phil, Raj, Vani, Captain Thacker ‘n’ a whole host of other angels who looked after me and prayed for me during that horrible time). It also reminded me that there is no need to focus on the tedious details of my illness or the fact we were deported on our first arrival to India; although these events seem to have boosted the profile of Soul Touch somewhat. It would appear that everybody loves a drama! Well you’ve come to the right place because God has well and truly created to Drama Queens n the best thing about it is that he’s in the business of sending them around the world “right about now”!

The truth is India was a whole lot more than Visa offices and dull hospital wards. India was a place of discovery. We spent time discovering lots about ourselves; our capabilities (and disabilities). About the world of religion and how when Jesus said we would be persecuted for our faith he really did mean it. The first morning we arrived we read a psalm in church (Raj perhaps you could enlighten me I can’t remember the exact verse but I think it was Psalm 14) It spoke about how men have turned away from God. They worship false God and idols. It was at this point that we first discovered the strength and courage of Raj, Vani, Sebastian, Caption Thacker and all the others who are so determined to live for Jesus despite the fact they are literally surrounded by men who do worship idols. They offer people hope in a place where today people are still sacrificing children and idolizing cows.

Whilst visiting a local hospital in the jungle area of Dindigal we discovered what to do when placed a room of one hundred female nursing staff in the final stages of their training. No we didn’t run out! We did what we did best. We talked…and talked…and talked. About the most exciting topic we could think of…yes you guessed it: the gospel! Really it is amazing how God sustains you and gives you the recourses you need even in the most surreal an unexpected situations.

Dindigal was also a place of discovery for another two (much more inspirational) women whom we had the privileged of meeting. When we were told we were being sent to the jungle Lorna and I prayed. Well that’s not entirely true the first thing we did was scream (yes we’ve not changed that much) then we packed (all the essentials: bug spray, bug spray, more bug spray and mosquito repellant). Then we prayed. As you know we have been to some of the most remote and desperate places in the world yet it has not been fully revealed to us exactly why we are being sent to them and we pray daily (hourly, minutely) about what God wants us to do with the information we are gathering, the stories we are hearing and the desperate situations we are witnessing. We know that on our own there is very little we can do but we are trusting that this blog is powerful (yeah you know it is or you wouldn’t keep reading it. Not because of what we are writing or who we are but because of what God is doing) and that with your involvement and God’s guidance we can change things for these children.

So let me tell you a little bit about what we discovered. The children come from the jungle and live in tribes, amongst the animals. When we interviewed them they told us of how they are “friends” with the animals and there is no need to fear them. Their parents have grown to trust the women and are eager to send more of their children however at the moment there is no room and they cannot financially afford to look after anymore than the eighty they already have. The best bit of the day for me was listening to the children talk about their futures. How they want to become doctors; teachers; missionaries. They can imagine a future now they no longer suffer the disease they were susceptible to in the jungle, or at least they have access to medical are and an education.

Do you know I’m actually struggling to even articulate how exciting it was for us to be there. First of all to be in such a beautiful place and secondly to express the gratitude we felt towards all those who continue daily to love these children, serve them and care for them.

This is something I scribbled in my journal on the way down the mountain! I think it says exactly what I discovered that particular day!

I saw Jesus today.
I’ve been searching, asking to see his face.
I met him in the mountains
His awesomeness filled the place.
He suspended a cloud, hung it gracefully over the sun.
His face reflected in the water
Reminding me of the victory he’s won.

I tried to capture it in a photo; pen a verse
Desperate for you to see it too
But nothing can contain the wonder of what he’s done for me and you.
God is at work in India he’s called you to be part
To listen to the children’s stories
Of how they’re living in the dark.

Between braches they rest their sleepy heads and the leaves are their nutrition.
Yes we’re talking in the 21st century.
God knows you’re in a position
To help or at least to continue the work that God’s already begun
He loves these children too
For him he sent his son.

He took us to the children there.
He has heard their prayers!
In the darkness of their hiding places
He’s shown them that he cares.
That people all around the world will hear that they exist
He’s sending messengers to tell their story
Making sure they are not missed.

“Show me God what we can do”
I pondered for a while
And there I saw the answer
Written in her smile.

He is written on their faces
In the testimonies they give,
As they whisper revealing to this stranger
about where they used to live.

Of how their hair grew long
Teeth plaqued; their bodies unclean
For these were forgotten children
The world had never seen.

Until our sisters braved to go there, sent by God above
To give them hope and a future to show them (practically) God’s love.
They ventured in to territory unknown to civilization
They carried no spear to protect them,
Only the revelation:
That God has a plan for each and every child
He listens when we cry
So maybe we can’t change the world but I now that we can try.
That God’s raising a generation
Of people who will acknowledge him.
Every tongue in every nation.
Will confess he is Goodness. He is love. He is King.

That without him we live in darkness
Like wild animals we continue to roam
He’s called the children from the jungle.
Listen he’s calling you home.

Ask to see his face
To be a part, to make a difference.
You no longer need to read this or watch only form a distance.
Get involved is what I’m trying to say
I should have penned that at the start
So we’ll continue to pray that you
In this discovery you will always be a part.

So know we’re in Thailand. Recovering! Not only from my hospital trip but also from everything we have been discovering over the past five months. It’s been amazing. We hope you are enjoying it too although our suntans are bound to be slightly better than yours!

We love you all…and then some! The Soul Touchers in Thailand

5 Bo´nessians, 1 Fifer and Thailand

Good day and how is your sea view looking this morning?!
Today i am so happy because with everyday that passes i can see that Erica's strength is getting better, praise God!
So i don't think anyone could really have prepared me with the company of half of Bo'ness! You guys are more exciting than an episode of River City. I now know that there was 5 primary schools, i hear that Kinnean ( or something like that) is the best primary school (don't pie the messanger!) and that there was one lucky High School, (Bo'ness Academy?) that you all attended. The family that live in No.32 have got a new dog, all dogs in Bo'ness seem to be Boxers for some reason. And to be honest all i could hear is 'shes my cousin' or 'he's my cousin too' etc...
And as i swim at the pool, inhaling and exhaling the beauty of Thailand if i squeeze my eyes, so i can just see a little water, and hear Erica, Laura, Ritchie, Tommy and Kev speak i can almost imagine that i am in Bo'ness looking at the River Forth ( not Bo'ness Loch that i used to call it). Obviously with the heat here i have to imagine that i am standing next to a bonfire aswell.
Its so amazing having everyone here and i haven't stopped laughing since the gang arrived! I am a big fan of Bo'ness and i feel like i know you all so much more and i can't wait to put faces to the names!
I want to thank you all for your continuing prayers, they have helped us so much. We can't wait until Soul Touch is back in full recovery after India and ready to run again.
Take Care
Big God Hugs
Lorna xxxx

Arrival In Thailand

[NOTE: Some of you may know that Erica wasn't so well for a little while in India, but she has recovered well and this recent e-mail to the church office encourages us that she and Lorna are continuing their epic trip undaunted...]

Dear All,Its Erica here!

I'm out of hospital and just wanted to thank you all so much for your prayers! They are powerful and they are being answered daily! I am getting stronger each day! The seizures have all stopped and my skin is not nearly as itchy! SO thank you and love you all in abundance! We are now in Thailand and Laura (Drummond) was here waiting for us at the airport! It is so nice to have my (other) best bud here with us and she'll be getting her soul touched no doubt!!! We did have so many plans here in Thailand, working with SU but we are just taking each day as it comes as I'm still building my strength. Lastly we were so excited to see the Soul Touch link that is on the standonline web page.

Love you all n then some,

ERICA XXX

Live Link with St Andrews

Here is a short clip of the live link with Bo'ness and Chennai on Sunday the 28th of October.

Click here.