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Laurie Killingsworth
P.O. Box 4784
Lynchburg, VA 24502
October 7, 2006
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My precious teammates … As I sit down at the computer, I have no idea how to communicate what is on my heart right now, but it’s my pr-y-r that you will read all the way to the end. I will divide this letter into topical sections and summarize as best as I can without losing the flavor of what actually happened throughout my 3 ½ weeks in SE Asia. If you want more details, don’t hesitate to e-mail me and I’ll send details that I sent to my family from both Thailand and a nearby “creative access” country.
Travel My four flights over (Raleigh/Durham to Chicago to Tokyo to Bangkok to ------) and 4 flights back, including 2-3 hour layovers in each place were looong – about 36 hours from bed to bed. However, when I consider our ancestors who endured covered wagons, wild Indians, disease, choppy seas, pirates, and shipwrecks, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. However, let’s just say that the actual travel is the part I enjoyed least. My travel in Thailand was primarily walking, taxis, sky trains (above ground subways), and river taxis. In a neighboring country it was taxis that were mostly “vintage cars” (over 20 years old). Only a couple of times were we blessed with AC, but it was usually windows open in extremely hot and humid weather. (It’s still rainy season there.) Even at that, we were blessed to not have to travel in crowded buses and open trucks, as most of the locals do. Family It was a huge blessing to be welcomed into the arms of my brother and sister-in-law when I arrived, and sent off with their hugs when I departed. I spent a week with them in Bangkok before we traveled to a neighboring country for the rest of my trip. (They spend about ½ their year in each country in 8-10 week trips.) G-d orchestrated their schedule perfectly to accommodate my three conferences in -------. They both assisted me in extremely important ways throughout, and I am so very grateful for both of them. Divine Appointments I had almost daily divine appointments, but I’ll share just one that happened in Bangkok before we left for a neighboring country. Before I left home I sent a request for pr-y-r to the P-st-r of Pr-y-r at Liberty University. After I checked my e-mail in Thailand, I found a message from the only student at LU from this neighboring country who just happened to work in the pr-y-r office. She asked if we’d contact her father, Pa Ni Maung, who is a p-st-r to refugees from her country who live in Bangkok. That led to us meeting her parents at a coffee shop a couple days later, and their subsequent request that I return next summer to do a Passionate Hearts conference for the men and women in their ch-rch. That was the first of a number of requests to return to do more conferences in both countries, as well as invitations for Tip to come over to teach p-st-rs, leaders, and B-bl- school teachers and seminary professors on the subject of “Chronological B-bl- Storying.” How could we possibly say no when G-d is so clearly giving us an open door for ongoing ministry in an oppressed and needy part of our world? By faith we plan to return July 16 – August 10 and pray that YOU will choose to be a part of our sending team as we go. The People It’s the people that I look forward to returning to. The believers in both countries truly stole my heart. I learned a lot of history on this trip. Some things I’d known and forgotten; other things I’d never known. There’s little I can share in this letter, but this country is now ranked on one human rights watch list as the third worst dictatorship in the world. We, as foreigners, are only allowed to stay in a hotel and are not allowed to travel outside the city except by air. (I was there on a tourist visa.) It is against the law to -v-ng-l-z-, to proselytize, or to bring books into the country. We had to have special permission from the local authorities to even travel 45 min. outside the city to do my second conference at the SOD Center (16-24 year olds). We were refused permission our first week there, but G-d supernaturally opened the doors for me to do a full conference with the students on two separate days the following week. The influence of B-ddh-sm is pervasive in both countries, and temples and monks abound everywhere we went. It saddens me greatly to think that S-t-n was instigating such a blinding religion about the same time that the amazing OT book of Isaiah was being penned. Even under very adverse circumstances, G-d’s ch-rch is experiencing miracles and growth that can only be credited to pr-y-r. There are many small B-bl- schools and seminaries hidden away in buildings in this city with no signage or advertising, and now the ch-rch-s are beginning to connect in unity for pr-y-r as never before. The J-s-s film has had a great impact in this country. Just one example of a miracle after a film showing in one village was a 52 year old barren sorceress who became pregnant, 17 families were b-pt-z-d, and the “spirit house” collapsed as a result of pr-y-r. On that same spot of ground a ch-rch was subsequently built. So much has happened by and for G-d in just one generation. Many of the Chr-st--ns in the tribal areas grew up with fathers who were headhunters and wore loin cloths. A number of top military officers (communists and socialists) are coming to Chr-st. There are even monks coming to Chr-st in the monasteries, and they have a policy that they don’t leave until they have at least one disciple in the monastery to take their place. The Canadian AIA soccer teams (both men’s and women’s teams) have opened a new door in the sports community, and with the Mayor and the Minister of Sport and Education who are now very friendly toward the CCC ministry. I wish I could share more amazing stories with you, but I just want you to know that G-d is greatly at work in this dark corner of the world! Hotel We stayed at a hotel where my brother and sister-in-law had never stayed before, but it was clearly G-d’s leading when they found this place that had apartments with two bedrooms in order to accommodate me staying with them. There are some wonderful young Chr-st--ns who work there who need encouragement and training, and ministry opportunities abound at this location for the future. The office manager took my book, One Passionate Heart, and my PH notebook to a printer in the city to have about a dozen copies printed and bound to give to his leaders while I was there. Since bringing books into the country is illegal, they are so hungry for books that they actually print their own when they get their hands on a book they want to keep and pass on. Before I left, the L-rd impressed me to give him $200 of my remaining trip money to have 160-170 books printed and ready for the conferences I will do there next summer. (Yes, less that $1.50/book.) He recently started the Hotel Workers Chr-st--n Fellowship in partnership with Campus Crusade for Chr-st. They also started a Business and Professional Chr-st--n Fellowship in both this city and another large city in the country, and want me to do conferences in both locations next summer. Books on CD or tape are a great way to bring more books in without weight and size being an issue. If you want to be a part of this effort, please let me know. Books can be sent to my brother in Bangkok and he can have people carry them in. Passionate Hearts Conference for Orphanage Leaders My first conference was for 18 orphanage leaders from 9 orphanages who were in charge of more than 600 children. These leaders ranged in age from their 20’s to their 70’s; both men and women. There were also 3 national CCC staff women in attendance. It was a very chaotic teaching situation for me with sweat running down my face, neck and back (I had to wear long skirts and sleeves when I taught), dogs barking, torrential rain that occasionally drowned out my voice, a translator who used 50 words to describe my 10, smoke wafting through from a bonfire, a loud speaker with raucous music blaring, the singing of a group in a nearby room, the hammering of workers outside, a crying baby, the electricity going out, etc. None of this seemed to faze them; it was I who wasn’t used to it. Thankfully, G-d was not limited or hindered by the adverse circumstances. I will include some of their written comments so that you can get a feel for what He did in the lives of those who attended. At the end of the first session, 7 people stood to indicate that they wanted to either receive J-s-s Chr-st as their personal L-rd and S-v--r or that they wanted to get right with G-d. I’ve received Chr-st through a sinner’s repentant pr-y-r. G-d spoke to me to encourage the children.
Before this conference my purpose in life was vague, I’d forgotten S-t-n was tricking me with good things and I was reminded that where there’s no pain, there’s no humanity. Now my purpose in life has come to life again. I’ll never forget about S-t-n’s ways and shun them. I now understand what success means. This training is all about developing a passionate heart beyond the time of repentance. This teaching helped me renew my commitment to love the orphans in my care as my own children, and to proclaim G-d’s love and forgiveness to the future generations. Pr-y-ng has been the most difficult thing for me in ministry, but this conference helps me to understand the importance of pr-y-r and its role as a channel to conquer S-t-n. I promise to pr-y every day from now on.
I learned that without suffering and persecution, there won’t be humility; that we need to put away our immorality and pride; that powerless people have worries and concerns most of the time; that we must guard what we say in front of the children and how we talk to them; and that pr-y-r should be inevitable in the life of a believer. I commit myself to walk closer with Him and in His will. The teaching about the power of a spiritual heritage was very encouraging. Through the journey into the Tabernacle, I realize where I am now and that I need to celebrate intimacy with G-d in the H-ly of Holies.
This conference was a reminder for me how far we need to stretch ourselves in patience in looking after these children, and how important our pr-y-rs are for them. I was reminded to re-discipline and re-organize the condition of the orphanage and myself in pr-y-r, to share what I’ve learned from here, to apply it in everyday life, and the importance of purity in a believer’s life.
G-d revealed to me the need to be a faithful pr-y--r, to be motivated to fast and pr-y, and to pr-y for the children.
I learned to love the children more, and that G-d has a plan for our lives. To walk a life of purity, being a model of purity as a leader so the children following my example will do likewise. G-d revealed to me where I have been unfaithful and irresponsible for the children in my care. Passionate Hearts Conference at SOD Ministry Center I wish I had written comments from these 48 students (24 guys and 24 girls), as well as those who teach and work at the school. They absolutely melted my heart. Their honest and fresh sharing from their hearts at the end of my first session on power, their jubilant singing, their simultaneous pr-y-rs throughout the room at the end of my third session on pr-y-r, and their desire to communicate with me between sessions in English made me want to move in and stay. This school is the result of a vision that G-d gave to Charity (English name), the wife of the Nat’l Dir. of CCC. (She was also my translator for this conference.) It was built on 1 ½ acres of land in a poor village 45 min. from the city and her desire is that it will one day grow to be a university as they purchase more adjoining land on which to build. These students are chosen from ch-rch-s all over the country that send in applications to be selected for 9 months of boarding school type training in B-bl-, Chr-st--n leadership, English, music, computer, and sewing. They live in barracks style dormitories and everyone is involved in the cooking, cleaning and caretaking of the property. I will share one precious e-mail that I received from one of these young men just yesterday. He has a passionate desire to learn English, but you can tell that he is still in the learning process. As you read this, you will understand why I love these students so much, and perhaps it will encourage you to pr-y for them and for their future ministry in their own country. “Hello, Miss Laureldiane
How about you today? Are you know me, I think you hasn’t I am from S,O,D school that my name is Naw seng htun. I want to know your trip, and pr-ys for G-d for you, Although all of student were with me. where is you Now? I am very happy, and you that The world concern sunday is gives me, The G-d said ‘Do this in Remembrance of me’ in my life. Why needs to know the relationship among the people it takes me many of strength way. How is evrything with you? I am pr-y The l-rd of G-d gives you bleesing every time, Some of thing I would like to says you that when you go out from our school I feel so lonely without you because of teaching method of your very nice for upon our. Thanks for gives me time and allowed. Everytime and everywhere you go with you. Please reply me this mail.
Bye Bye, Naw Seng Htun” “Ch-rch-s Revival through Pr-y-r” Conference I have to admit that this conference was rather intimidating, at least before it actually began. Once I got used to the fact that the male Chr-st--n leadership and p-st-rs were eager to have me teach 3 – 2 hour morning sessions on power, purity and pr-y-r, I felt very comfortable addressing them. There were about 225-250 men and women ranging in age from their 20’s to their 80’s. It was held at the huge Judson Ch-rch (named for Adoniram Judson, the American B-pt-st m-ss—n-ry who brought Chr-st--n-ty to this country in the 1800’s) on the University of ------ campus for representatives from about 70-80 ch-rch-s daily. P-st-rs and B-sh-ps from several denominations also taught sessions throughout the conference. The conference was organized by CCC, whom G-d has used greatly to bring the ch-rch-s together in unity. I tell a lot of stories about my own life journey in my sessions, and I could sense that the people were really with me throughout. Some would lean on the pews in front of them as they laughed, cried, gasped, smiled, frowned, etc. This is why we believe it’s so important that Tip goes over to teach the p-st-rs, seminary professors and B-bl- school teachers a course on “Chronological –B-bl- Storying.” It is the most effective form of -v-ng-l-sm and discipleship on the mission field today -- and what J-s-s did. Well, there is a limit to what can be put down on paper and stuffed in an envelope. I want to close with once again telling you how hugely I appreciate your generous gifts of love, as well as the awesome “air support” while I was in the trenches. There’s NO way I could’ve done any of this without you standing firmly behind me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you! For such a time as this, Laurie |
