Standing in the Gap...A Letter to a Korean Church

April 27, 2012


Dear Pastor ______ and _________,


I am writing because I have become aware this week of a great error.  I learned that since _______  _______ Church started giving funds to support two missionary teachers serving at Grace International School, the letters they faithfully wrote were not forwarded to you.  Be assured the teachers did faithfully write and submit letters each month for you.  This is where the great error occurred.  The individual, who was to see that the letters were sent, did not follow through and see that it was done.


I apologize on behalf of Grace International School for not being faithful to our promise and to our esteemed and highly valued partnership.  I realize we must have lost your trust and confidence, and for that I am greatly saddened.


When I read the following Korean culture story it reminds me of the responsibility I bear as leader of the school, to stand in the place of the two teachers who benefited from the partnership and support from Global Mission Church.  If I could take the consequence personally for our lack of faithfulness, I would gladly do so.  Here's the story that so moves my heart:

"In the 4th Century AD in Korea a man had two sons.  The elder rose to become Chief Justice in the land, and the younger became an infamous bandit.  The elder brother loved his younger brother but was unable to persuade him to change his ways.  Eventually the younger brother was caught and brought before his brother, the Chief Justice.  Everyone in the courtroom thought the younger brother would go fee, because it was well known that the Chief Justice loved him.  But at the trial, the Chief Justice sentenced his brother to death.  On execution day, the elder brother came to the prison and said, 'Let's swap places.'  The younger brother agreed, thinking the execution would not occur, when they realized who stood there.  So he went up the hill to watch; his older brother was

brought out at dawn and to his horror was executed.  Filled with remorse, he ran down the hill and told the guards he was the criminal who should be executed."

I am filled with remorse for our unfaithfulness in partnership and for the potential long-term loss because of our negligence to be faithful with communications.  Please accept my deepest, most sincere apology.  The pas thank you letters will be sent by both email and postal mail.


The hopeful conclusion to the story about the two sons above is in these closing words of the guards to the surviving brother, "There is no sentence outstanding on anyone with that name."


In the same way, I am reminded that Christ died for our sins, and there is no sentence outstanding.  All we must do is to accept his death in our place.  This brings great comfort to my soul today, since God has made a way of escape for us, in the great errors we commit in this life.


In conclusion, I ask on behalf of the two deserving staff member who desperately need _________ ________ Church's partnership, please forgive me for this great error of Grace International School and find it within your hearts to forgive and continue your partnership with us.


Abiding in Christ,


Don Williams
Superintendent
Grace International School
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wedding of Wa and Kae on April 14, 2012

Wa and Kae's Wedding

April 14, 2012

The songtaow we followed up to Wa's village.

A rest stop along the way...cooling the engine and
adding water to the radiator.

Slumber Party Time.
Wa's husband built this new house for them as a surprise.

Meal time.  Rice was wrapped in banana leaves
with three Karen side-dishes.   The whole village showed up.

The guests of honor were given chairs
to sit in while enjoying the meal.

Wa is second from the right with Kae sitting on her left.
Kae's sister is next to Wa and Kae's mom is on the far left.

The wedding procession on its way to the church.

The procession continuing on its way.

The wedding party and guests arrive
at the church and are about to enter.

The groom and the bride in the middle back row.
The two attendants on either side.
The two boy ring bearers and the two flower girls.

Kathy, Michaela and Don
as representatives of Wa's family from Chiang Mai.

The guests all seated and ready for the service to begin.
There was another set of benches on the right
and people sitting on the floor on the other side
of the those benches.  It was a packed house.

Don and Derrick getting ready
for their parts in the ceremony.

The wedding party during the ceremony.

Wa and Kae being instructed to
hold each other's hands during the vows.

Kae being instructed by the pastor
to look into Wa's eyes as the pastor shared
Kae's vows asking him to repeat what he said.
Kae was a bit distracted as it wasn't unusual
to hear comments from the audience.

Next it was Wa's turn and then it was time
to give each other the rings.
The little boy behind wasn't too keen
on giving up the ring.
They almost had to wrestle them from him.
I think he thought he was to protect them
at all cost and when the pastor was trying
to take the ring from him
he wasn't going to let that happen.

Here's the proud and happy couple
being presented to the church.

Aren't they a handsome and beautiful couple?

The ceremony ended with a prayer of blessing.
The smallest boy thought that Don was saluting
so he saluted back.

The older boy grabbed the younger boy's hand
knowing that it wasn't a salute but a gesture of blessing. 

Here we are with the with the wedding party.

And here we are with the bride and groom.
Such proud "parents".

Here's the bride and groom with the Persing family.

The bride and groom with more guests
from the church Wa attended in Chiang Mai.

So happy we were able to be with Wa and Kae on this special day.

Don talking with Wa's mom on the far left
and Wa's sister between him and Wa's mom.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Kae Suseena