Some Things You Cannot Control

So I consider myself a pretty safe driver. Been driving for almost 14 years in cars, jeeps, motorcycles, you name it I've probably driven it and never had any wreck or collision with another car. However last night I was hit pretty hard by a car that ran a red light (who then took off) while on my dinky 115cc motorbike. I dislocated my right shoulder (which has always been a problem, but not this bad) possible broken humorous, 11 stitches left leg, 4 in right leg. In some pain, but should be fine.
However my first thought was not "Praise the Lord I'm still alive". but rather why? Why so soon after just getting to Asia, why me, Why this same bad shoulder? I was inwardly focused... By Gods sovereign grace, the same guy I'm currently working with showed up on the scene a few minutes later. He helped out, translated, and even tired to put my shoulder back in place. It wasn't until an hour later we got it. However his prayer was different than my thoughts. "Praise you Jesus that Aaron is still alive"... It is a sober reminder that our lives are not a "right" but rather a gift form God each day. The scriptures teach us that each breath that is given to us is the Holy Spirit sustaining us and our fragile bodies as we move. I realize that there are things in this world we cannot control, but the greater hope and truth is that the Lord is in charge of it all...and by faith, we hope in something greater than finite self.
Please pray that I don't need surgery, so it doesn't set me back in the race (Hebrews 12:1-3) I've been tasked to run... Pray the security cameras picked up the guys plate (hit and run) so I don't have to pay for damages to bike. Pray that I would have understanding in this situation. Pray the Lord would be Glorified

New Beginnings

So after a busy few weeks I'm finally settled in. After the first four days of being here on a friends couch I found a decent little apartment in a good location, rented a moped, and found a decent coffee shop. For the most part things are going well. I've begun serving at Chiang Mai Christian fellowship, and I work right now down in the heart of Chiang mai, working with street kids, drop out teenage boys, and a few addicts. It’s called Khamsiri, and mainly it has been this German guy named Stefan and his wife Tina, who have literally poured out their lives over the last 8 years to this area and the people around them. Right now i think they are real burnt out, because they haven't had a lot of help, everything is breaking down physically at the facility, and the kids they have poured into over the past few years are growing up and wondering off. So far I really have no official responsibilities, but it’s looking like I will be fixing stuff for them, as well as developing out some teaching for the kids/ developing a missional community. This will allow Stefan and Tina to pour into the kids without having to try and fix everything, as well as constantly be creative with new things (which can be exhausting). One of the cool things they have set up is this aqua-hydroponics system. I've been messing with it the past few days, because it was run down and in need of some care. What it is, is a hole in the ground about four feet deep, that houses fish. Then a pump, pumps water out of the little pond and into these rock filled buckets (with plants in them). The plants filter out all the algae, acidity, and then the water drains back into the pond. They use the fish that are grown and the veggies as well to give "free of charge" to neighbors around them that need money. The neighbors can come take a fish (once grown) and go sell it in the market for about 100 baht ($3.33), thus allowing them to have a little money for stuff. Neat little project and great way to give back to their community. Well Stefan has no clue how this thing really works, or how to maintain it, because someone built it for them and then left 2 years ago. So due to my "great" experience with my swamp/pool, I was able to get the thing up and running and the PH balanced again, within about two days. Really neat thing will send some pictures soon. So ya, that’s’ a bit of what I've been doing and will be doing part time while in Thailand, as work towards planting in Burma. If you wish to contact me, send words of encouragement, your prayer request, or support the efforts, please email me at knownastheway@gmail.com. Other contact information below

>Email: knownastheway@gmail.com
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