This week, I have been reading the book of Ruth. We learn about Naomi, a woman who survived tragedy through her relationship with God. I don’t know how I would feel if, like Naomi, I had to suffer through a severe drought, been forced to move to a foreign country to survive and then lost my three closest family members in a very short time. But Naomi’s faith in God remained. We read that Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law, converted to God because she saw Naomi’s trust in God despite her terrible circumstances (Ruth 1:16).
I could not help but see the similarities between Naomi’s actions in chapter one and those of Luke and Belle Harland, serving with Baptist Mission Australia in Chiang Rai, Thailand. On the night of Thursday, 12th September, the family was woken by neighbours telling them their two-storey house was going underwater as the nearby river flooded due to Super Typhoon Yagi. They quickly moved some furniture upstairs before evacuating their three young boys. Thankfully, they suffered no injuries.
When Luke and Belle were allowed to return to their house four days later, they found the flood waters had reached two metres up the walls. They had destroyed the downstairs living space, and the outside area was under a metre of sand, and their second car was written off. Our hearts go out to Luke and Belle and the people of northern Thailand affected by the typhoon, the floods and continuous rain.
While they have shared their tears online, Luke and Belle know God is with them as they participate in the tragedy with their neighbours and community. They are aware of the opportunities that arise to share their faith in a culture where possessions are often treated as gods. Belle stated, “When crises hit, the Church shines.” Luke and Belle know God is with them and the small group of believers in their community despite the terrible events surrounding them. Please pray for them all.
Bob
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