You’re never too young

For the past couple of weeks, we have had new helpers in the children’s program we are helping to run at Sila Church.  Some of those who were helping before we’re too tired from working long hours at their job to commit to the 2 hour a day, 4 day per week program that had been going on since before we came to Chonburi.

But then we got a new volunteer.  Upa is the only person in church who is older than us.  She faithfully comes to the twice-a-week program—driving up on her little motorcycle with sidecar.  She helps gather children to come and to walk them home.  She helps communicate some things that I still struggle to communicate with my rudimentary Thai.

And even though she is not completely literate in Thai, she is right there with the children in trying to learn English and learning new songs in both English and Thai.

Upa helping to lead new songs

All this from a very humble woman of little means who struggles with many health issues.

As we continue in our challenge to learn Thai, we sometimes think, “this would have been a lot easier 30 years ago when our brains were a bit fresher.”  Yet Upa is an inspiration to us—she does not let her age keep her from trying to learn new things.  If Upa can do it, so can we.

God, I thank you for the wonderful people like Upa that you have placed in our lives.  Thank you for the inspiration they bring to us.  I pray that you give Upa strength and wisdom so that she can continue to be a bright light for you in Ang Sila.  I pray that you will use her faith to bring many others into your kingdom as she faithfully serves you.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."--1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)