Mangoes & Sticky Rice

I recently returned home from a mission trip to Thailand. Among the many stories I can tell is this particularly sweet memory.

For two days we taught English at the Kids Camp in Mae Sod (at a local Thai Government school), we experienced the wonder that is mangoes and sticky rice. As sweet as the mangoes were, this dessert did more than satisfy our taste buds. It delighted our hearts because of the love extended to our team by Pastor John (who arranged for us to have them). On Friday, he could only find a mixture of black and white rice for the mangoes, so he was determined to find the traditional recipe of mangoes and white rice for us to enjoy on Saturday. A couple days earlier he mentioned he would do his best to make sure we enjoyed this typical summer dessert--even though it wasn't quite mango season. Pastor John followed through on his word--twice! This man is a Senior Pastor of a local church, works with the local government school director to do English camps, oversees several other ministries...Oh, and is the president of Foursquare Thailand--and took the time to get us mangoes and sticky rice. Pastor John didn't boast about it or draw attention to himself in any way as he delivered this gift. This act of thoughtful kindness and servant-hearted generosity made a lasting impact on our team.


In Isaiah 58, the prophet communicates the heart of God so clearly: Give yourself for the sake of others. When we divide our "bread" (i.e, our lives) with others, God promises that our "light" will break forth. When we look to people--taking time to understand their needs, and opening our hearts to extend ourselves to them--we experience what it is to be righteous (whole, full of truth, set on our purpose, walking in freedom, shining our light). What we saw in Thailand, captured so beautifully in the selfless gesture by Pastor John, is God's winsome and overcoming love. This love comes alive and fulfills its purpose through the context of real relationships (first with God, then with others). I'm realizing that I've been in a partially-dormant state with regards to experiencing relationship in this way. I want to respond to God's kind "wake-up" call by freely dividing my bread (and mangoes!) with the "hungry" around me. It starts with my wife and two sons, and flows outward to others. This is what I'm made for!