Bill and Chris Moeness (this past year’s President of Impact Boise State) made a trip to Thailand together, right after the close of the spring semester.  Chris is interested in pursuing a career in missions ministry, and especially interested in ministry in Thailand.

Below are some of the images from the trip.

We spent time exploring/studying the Budhist culture. Here we are getting ready to ascend the steps to a Temple outside of Chiang Mai.

Temple worship practices. Funny...but though we may not count ourselves as "idol worshippers," we still are guilty, at times, of idol worship...it just takes different forms in our culture. We spent time reflecting on some newly discovered realities.

We spent time reflecting on the things we were learning. Here, Chris is enjoying a quiet cup of coffee at a mountain "hideaway" spot. Beautiful!

We LOVED the food!! Especially the mango smotthies!! Here, Chris treats Caleb and Dillon (Thailand born missionary kids) to a smoothy.

Chris is especially interested in finding a way to minister to children at risk for human trafficking. We traveled north in Thailand to the Myanmar border. Pray for the children!

Jeff Prus, missionary in Thailand, meets with his church planting team in Chiang Dao. Chris listens in.

We spent some time assisting a mission group that holds sports camps at the local schools. They also have the opportunity to teach "spiritual lessons" in these camps.

Chris, strategizing with the mission team...ready for the game!sipping tea at a Chines village near the northern border

Last Friday some friends and I drove out to the middle of nowhere (i.e. the hills outside of east Boise) without cell phone reception or a map, but we did have some 80’s rock blasting on the radio.

Already a couple of hours late, we were looking for the Synergy group’s second-annual bonfire.  There were eight of us traveling together, divided into three cars, guided only by a few lines of hastily written directions. Earlier, a friend (Kelli) tried to give me directions to the bonfire over the phone, but I was distracted by a board-game my friends were playing, so I only jotted down a few words:

2nd dam, mileage sign, turn right, dirt road.

Those few words weren’t as helpful as I hoped they’d be; all three cars in our convoy became separated at one point and we were all lost. Miraculously, we all got lost in the same area, and ended up regrouping, and continuing on our meandering expedition.

After driving for about half an hour through miles of rolling hills, some of us began to question whether we we should turn around–maybe we missed the turn a few miles back? Sam, who was driving, had his mind made up, he said he would drive until he found a bridge, whenever, wherever it may be.  I was impressed by his determination… the whole time my stomach was tight, I felt responsible for leading all eight of us into the middle of nowhere, if only I had written down better directions… Yet during the drive, as I stared out the window at the beautiful lake and the unusually green hills, I got the feeling that it was good for us to be driving out here.  Even if we never found the bonfire, we could all use the fresh air and a scenic drive out from the city.  I tried to enjoy the view, tried to forget that we might be lost, but anxiety lingered in the back of my mind.

Suddenly, after driving over the peak of a hill and turning around a corner, we discovered a bridge… we turned right at a mileage sign, and found a dirt road.  So far so good, maybe we were on the right path the whole time!  But as we continued to drive on the narrow dirt road, we got the feeling that it led nowhere.  Our hearts sank when we saw that it slowly wound for miles around a lake.  We decided that we should continue on for five more minutes then turn around and go back.

As we completed one last turn, I immediately saw on  a distant beach a tiny, glimmering fire.  A bonfire.  I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but as we neared, I recognized my friends from Synergy.  A surge of relief swept over me, releasing all the tension that had been welling up inside.

The whole time we had been on the right track, heading in the right direction.  All the frustration and anxiety had been for nothing.  Why was it so hard to just trust that things would turn out all right?  Why couldn’t I enjoy the beautiful journey along the way?  These questions are familiar ones, because I think about them in regards to the direction of my life as a whole.  Why do I get frustrated about where I am going, why don’t I enjoy the wonderful view along the way?  When school, work, and relationships begin to overwhelm me, I often get the same feeling that I got while looking out the window in the car: have faith, keep going, and remember to enjoy the scenery.

We’ll officially begin the new study on Tuesday, January 19th.

Have a great Christmas break!

Here’s what she has to say…

__________

Confession of a Lukewarm Christian

When people say Christians are hypocrites they are talking about me.

Jesus told me to feed the Hungry … James 2:15-17 Isa 58:6-7
Instead I filled my pantry with far more than I could eat

Jesus told me to spend time with his people … James 1: 27, Colossians 4:4-6
Instead I spent my time at the movies

Jesus told me to clothe the poor … Luke 18:21-25 Isa 58:6-7
Instead I filled my closet with brand name clothes

Jesus told me to ask for wisdom … James 1:5
Instead I remained ignorant

Jesus told me to draw close to him … Isa 29:13, Col 3:1-2, James 4:8
Instead I surfed the Internet

Jesus told me to reach the suffering … Luke 14:12-14
Instead I filled my week with Church activities

Jesus told me not to be concerned with trials … James 1:2-4, 12, Matt 10:32-33, Heb 10:38
Instead I backed down in fear instead of talking about my faith

Jesus told me to stand up for the weak … Psalms 12:5, Col 3: 12
Instead I stood up for what was popular

Jesus told me to love my neighbor as my self … Matt 22:39, James 2:8
Instead I refused to go out of my way to make time for them in my schedule

Jesus told me to love my enemy… Matt 5:43-47
Instead I gossiped about them

Jesus told me to forgive … Eph 4:31-32, Col3:12-14, Matt 18:21-22
Instead I remembered every wrong

Jesus told me to have a relationship with him … Matt 23:25-28, 16: 24-25
Instead I played religion

If you have met me or people like me you have not experienced Jesus. You have experienced Christians in the world consumed by culture. I challenge you to learn who Jesus is, not what we have portrayed him to be.

If you are like me, I challenge you to change with me, and start living a life of Faith not of comfort. To learn more: read Crazy Love by Francis Chan or join the group No Longer Lukewarm on Facebook…a group where we can encourage each other to break the cycle of the lukewarm Christian.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive your-selves. Do what it says” James 1:22

Synergy Retreat

Hey students!

This last weekend in Sun Valley was great!  Thanks to everyone for your part in making it so.

Take a minute to add a comment here.  Tell everyone what you liked best about the retreat.

What was the funniest moment?

What new things did you learn?

What friendships were started?  which friendships were greatly strengthened?

Tell us so we can all be encouraged!

Our plan is to provide information to students who are a part of our Boise State ministry, as well as to our financial supporters.  We hope we will find fun and exciting ways to do both.

Over the next several weeks we’ll be adding new features.  Let us know what you think!  Give us feedback, especially on the elements that you appreciate.  In this way we’ll be able to determine how best to serve your needs and interests.

Students…

Thanks for your involvement and for your love for Jesus.  You WILL change the world, for the better, as you lean on Him and HIS understanding.

Supporters…

Thank you for your financial gifts.  Without you we would be unable to minister to the needs of the students, and to encourage them in their walk with Christ.

Together, all of us in our obedience to God, will indeed change the world!