My work with the Young Leaders at Immanuel began through my relationship with the "Three Amigos," Ting, Sontaya, and Eddy. There three have been insuperable friends for years, and all of them helped with the slum ministry, which is how I first got to know them. It was rough at first. Son spoke rough English, Ting much less, and Eddy almost none. And my Thai is not great now, but it was terrible at that time. Still, somehow, God formed a bond between us, and I got great joy from being around these three.
In Thailand, they have a form of military draft, the young men sarcastically call the "lucky draw." Around your 21st birthday, you must return to your hometown and participate in a sort of lottery. You reach in a box and pull out a slip of paper. If it is black, you return to life as normal. If you draw red, you are in the army for two years. In Spring of '09, both Son and Eddy had to go home for the 'lucky draw.' Son drew black, Eddy drew red.
I was so worried. No one in their group was less 'army material than Eddy,' with his long hair and gentle spirit. I was afraid he would not be able to handle the demands of military life. I was also worried about him spiritually. Eddy was still a fairly young and immature believer. He was going to be entering a decidedly non-Christian world, where he might well be the only Christ-follower in his unit. He was to report to the army in early October. In late summer, I approached him and asked him to meet with me once a week to talk about what it REALLY means to be a man of God, hoping to maybe equip him just a little better for the challenges that lay ahead. Eddy asked if he could include Ting and Son. And Young Leaders was born!
At first, the intent was clear... they could invite friends, but the focus was going to be Eddy and his preparation for the army, and the group would meet only until Eddy left for the military. I asked a friend, Greg Brown, a missionary working with Immanuel to help, and he immediately agreed. Well, the group started meeting at my condo and quickly grew to about a dozen regulars. And it became a wonderful time for all of us. When Eddy DID go, the others came to me and said, "We can't just quit now," so we continued meeting... to this day.
This week, Eddy returned for a three day visit. What a great, great surprise. The one bad part was that, due to our inability to reach him after Sontaya's death a month ago, he had not yet learned that one of his closest friends had passed. It was a shock, as you can remember, and I don't think he still has a real grasp.
Anyway, so pics from his recent visit. What a great blessing to see Eddy again! Oh, and he is THRIVING in the military. I am SO proud of him!
Eddy before the army buzz cut. The children in the slum called him "Singto," Thai for "the lion."
Son, Eddy, me, and Ting on our first visit to him, midway through his bootcamp.
Soldier Eddy.
Eddy had moments during his visit of reflection and hurt, as he thought about Son. The rest of us had each other to help us work through the hurt five weeks ago. Eddy will have to do that on his own (with God).
A magician draws Joel into his act.
The view from the top of the tower.
I think they all ate too much at the buffet.
One final group photo. Thank you so much, Pleasant Valley, for sending your best and for helping us reach Thailand with the message of hope and freedom in Christ! See you all again SOON!
