Never a Dull Moment!

Barker family newsletter, May 2012

 Dear friends and family,

We feel like we started the year with a bang and it has continued that way.

For those of you following Ash’s Facebook you will be aware of the volume of media exposure the ministries of UNOH, both here and in Australia and New Zealand, have had over these past few months. This doesn’t seem to be slowing down with the recent FOX sports segment on the Klong Toey Football Team and Poo and her award winning cookbook continuing to draw worldwide media attention (The BBC radio reported that she has had 24 million Google hits). All of this has meant that Ash and I feel like we are certainly living life in the fast lane, and the under the radar style of ministry we tried to maintain in Bangkok is no longer possible. At the same time there have been some amazing ministry opportunities that have arisen as a result, and with Ash gaining his PhD recently means new roles and responsibilities for us all.

At a local level God has blessed us with many new and exciting things in the last 6 months and we can really see His hand at work in both our lives and the lives of our neighbours. One of these is the young leaders program run by 2 of my young Thai staff, Kook (25yrs),Nut(21) and Chyo(19)yrs. Along with the support of fellow UNOH worker Alisha and myself they run a fortnightly program for 17 children aged between 9-11year from our neighbourhood. The idea being to prepare these future leaders for engaging life outside of the slum, teaching them how to talk and act outside of the community, and how to hope and dream for a better future- something not natural for these children- many who have been beaten up rather than brought up.  Anthropologist Oscar Lewis says of children born into a culture of poverty. “….by the time these children are 6 years old, they have taken on the values, beliefs and culture of poverty that surrounds them, making them unable to make the most of good opportunities that may come their way as adults.” Kook, Nut and Chyo are committed to helping these kids and modelling a hope for their future. Alisha and I are committed to supporting this initiative and pray for transformation in these precious little lives. It is really exciting to see how God is at work in Chyo, Nut and Kooks lives also.

  

The Klong Toey Football club - which Ash and the Thai staff have been faithfully developing over the last 10 years- is finally getting some opportunities and recognition that is changing the lives of these boys and young men. As I sit in an air-conditioned café writing this it is 45 degrees outside, and Ash and 30 of our boys (Under 13) are training in the middle of the Thai Port FC (or Ta Rua FC, our professional National League team) pitch. Our boys have been chosen to represent Thai Port FC this season with their first official match on Sunday. At the same time we have another 60 kids playing in 2 other tournaments across Bangkok.  Last Sunday our boys had a chance to perform in front of the manager for player recruitment for the British team Tottenham Hot Spurs and his talent scouts. They are looking to offer scholarships for 8 Thai players. They were very impressed with our kids who were thrilled with the chance. (Ash was a bit conflicted being a Man U support – Please pray!) And yesterday Japanese talent scouts at our training were looking for players. Sadly none of this translates to funding to keep running this program this year. Thanks to the hard work of our amazing volunteers in Bangkok we have raised 57% of this years budget and are still in need of a major sponsor- or many small ones at $200 per kid per year. God has been really faithful in the last 2 years and I am really unable to explain how we have sustained this big program as it expanded so rapidly. (5 Loaves and 2 fish maybe?)

Thank-you again, and again, all of you who faithfully support our family. We are very conscious that we have never gone without even in these tough financial times, and we continue to be able to serve the poor in Klong Toey on your behalf.  At this 10 year mark in Klong Toey, we feel like we can actually see hope rising in the despair here. Life continues to be tough but our friends and neighbours are truly embracing a God that doesn’t promise to protect us from the pain and crap that life throws at us- but rather gets in there with us, alongside us, helping us find His hope in the midst of life and all it brings. Life is messy and my God is a God of peace and hope within the mess. I hope this is how you experience His amazing love also!

Love and Thanks In Christ

Ash Anji Amy Aiden and Film

An eye operation, a hip operation, and a full set of rotten teeth taken out and replaced with metal –photo taken before.

Prayer Page

During the religious oppression in China in the 1950’s, a small child named Mei was in prison with her Christian Mother.  She had a remarkable faith and believed that the spirit comes to all Christians much as the Bible says: “Peter and John placed their hands on (the Believers), and they received the Holy Spirit”. Found in Acts: 8 – 17, and so she requested and received the Holy Spirit in this way.  Meanwhile, unsuspecting Chinese guards let Mei run freely throughout the prison.

When Christians outside the prison found a way to smuggle Communion to prisoners, it was Mei who gave it to them – even those in solitary confinement.  She said, “I’m not afraid; the Spirit is within me.”

How do we experience the Spirit’s presence in our everyday life?

“The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control.”

Galatians 5: 22 – 23

Christians are noticeable because of Christ living in them. A Christian always obeys God, always helps others, always loves, and always tries to be happy.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.”

Isaiah 40: 31

This verse rings so true in my life.  Thankfulness to God is a minute by minute way of life to me.  I constantly lean on Him.  My feet know it as surely as my head and heart. Do you feel how much you are indebted to the Saviour?

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4: 13 (NIV)

Prayer Points:

· The Barkers Ash and Anji as they try and get a healthy balance between family and ministry life & Amy Aiden & Film

· UNOH the work of this ministry in Australia New Zealand & Thailand

· Pray for the following Churches within our movement

Bongeen  -  Boonah  -  Boondall  -  Bribie Island  -  Brisbane North

Who's side are you on?

With the State of Origin games and school athletics carnivals there has been a lot of talk about sporting teams and people everywhere are becoming passionate about their team. They talk about it, wear clothes representing it, have signs on their cars, paint their faces and sing crazy songs. Most people are very proud of the colours they wear and cheer on their team and defend them at any opportunity.

I came under a bit of heat recently when I wore a red shirt to a sports carnival. The problem was that I am actually in the yellow team, but didn't have a yellow shirt ;). The yellow team wasn't happy that I had absconded due to fashion, and the red team weren't happy because I wasn't wholeheartedly supporting them. I think they were a little offended that I was wearing their colour and not a true supporter at heart! Even though I prefer red, and red was winning, I was quickly reminded "You can't 'prefer' a side, you are either a supporter or not!" You don't support a team while they are popular or support them while it makes you liked. A true supporter will still be a proud supporter in the midst of opposition and attack from rivals. (I think they like the banter!)

People are often known and remembered by what they are passionate about. And even more so when they pass that passion on to others. Leaving a legacy is living by our convictions, not our preferences.

  

Preferences are subject to change: changes with mood, with peer pressure, with what 'works for me' at the time, what makes me feel good and what makes me happy. Convictions remain the same and provide an anchor for feelings, emotions, and decisions even in the toughest of times.

Being a follower of Jesus is not about preferences. You won't last very long on the journey if you are committed to having your own needs for happiness fulfilled. If you pray when you need something, serve when you're saluted, give when you are shown gratitude, obey when it suits you and love when it feels good you are sitting out, missing out and selling out.

Being a follower of Jesus is a life changing, eternity altering, exciting adventure but it is not for the casual supporter. You are welcome to be a casual supporter with a season ticket to Sunday services, but that's not even a glimpse of the camaraderie, conviction and calling of the true adventure of a life with Christ.

I am wearing my colours proud. I will be a graciously outspoken follower of Christ. I will not dis' your decision but I'll excitedly tell you how Good it is to be on This side. I will unashamedly invite you to join us. And I will pray my heart out that you do.

Who's side are you on?

~Donna

Last year I came across this

                                         PRAYER OF MY HEART

Lord, please remodel and refurbish my heart.

Raise the ceiling in Faith’s room so I can stretch and grow.

Add tall windows in Peace’s room so it can stream out to shine on others.

Construct balconies in Joy’s room so it can dance their length, clearly visible to         all.

Build a basement in Love’s room so it will become deeper, stronger and

unconditional.

Knock out walls and tear out floors in Gratitude’s room so it will pour out like a          river.

Light a lamp and add a sofa in Grace’s room so all who come will want to stay.

May every room in my heart be decorated with a new song for You, Lord.

Amen.

by Rachel Wallace – Oberle.

Evelyn Colbran

Prayer Coordinator

Easy Chicken and Curry Bake

Looking for something quick and easy to warm those winter nights? This dish will satisfy the whole family.

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded

1 x 500g bag frozen broccoli, heated

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 teaspoons curry powder (or more if desired)

½  cup mayonnaise

Juice of ½ a lemon

½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated

½ cup tasty cheddar cheese, grated

Pre-heat the grill. Place the chicken into a greased 2 litre dish, the put the broccoli on top.

Put  the chicken soup, curry, mayonnaise and lemon juice in a pot and stir over a medium heat until combined. Pour over the chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Place under the grill and cook until browned on top and bubbling.