“Why do you take communion?” This was Wasil’s initial question to me after experiencing Christian community for the first time. As I thought about my response, there was much I could say, however, God in his wisdom has often revealed to me that patience is the wisest reply. “Have you ever sinned?” Was my question back to Wasil. His disposition quickly shifted, I could tell that his mind reminisced upon the past and the memories that only he and God shared. “Yes” was Wasil’s ultimate reply. I took a moment to think and to pray, believing the silence would only benefit the conversation. “And as a Muslim, what do you do with your sins?” Was my final question back to him. His eyes gave way to a fading spirit. I could guess his answer well before he spoke his next words…,
With Easter having recently taken place, I’ve had an opportunity to reflect again on the finished work and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Heroic deeds of self-sacrifice are always admirable, whether Christian or not, the human spirit empathizes and commends these selfless acts. Indeed there is something so remarkable about a person laying down his life for another that by simply taking a moment to observe today’s popular movies one would quickly come to the same conclusion. However, most of these films will almost always portray the protagonist (main character) dying for the “greater good” and rarely for the evil or undeserving.
But this is exactly what Jesus did for us. (Romans 5:8) For while we were still in rebellion against God as an evil people, Jesus in his great mercy and love humbled himself and entered our world as a man. Despite opposition, he lived amongst us and revealed what it means to be a child of God: Forsaking pleasures, securities, and desires of this world to live in resolute obedience toward the Father and his will. Jesus, by his gruesome and horrifying death, paid the penalty due to our sins so that we who live would not continue to live for ourselves, but for him. Jesus, by his resurrection from the dead, gives us hope and new life so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21)
“Jesus, by his gruesome and horrifying death, paid the penalty due to our sins so that we who live would not continue to live for ourselves, but for him."
Thinking over the state of many Muslims and Buddhists who are in similar circumstances as Wasil, I remember Shakespeare’s story of Macbeth. In the story, Lady Macbeth plays a part in the assassination of King Duncan. “Lady Macbeth becomes convinced that there is still blood on her hands, even after thoroughly washing them clean. She becomes fixated on this idea and washes her hands over and over in an attempt to rid herself of her guilt. In the end, she decides the only way to get rid of the stain is to commit suicide.” This fictitious story of a woman’s guilt is the true reality for billions of people who do not know Christ and who have never heard of an alternate possibility for the atonement of their sins. In other words, billions of precious souls (whom Jesus died for) will spend their entire lives scrubbing at the sin from their spiritual hands, never managing to remove the stains of guilt.
This sad state of the human condition is how Jesus found the world when he humbly arrived so many years ago. But as the recent passing of Easter has already reminded us, Jesus’s death and resurrection brings hope to the hopeless. It is this hope that our friend Wasil now has an opportunity to accept when he otherwise would have never known anything else.
“ Billions of precious souls (whom Jesus died for) will spend their entire lives scrubbing at the sin from their spiritual hands, never managing to remove the stains of guilt."
For Makayla and I, nearly two years have passed since moving to Thailand and despite the fact we can’t celebrate Easter with friends and family, we instead choose to celebrate what Jesus accomplished on Easter by telling people about Jesus’s sacrifice. There are still "Wasils" who still have never heard the good news of the Resurrection. So although we may miss our family and long to be with them, we’re challenged to not think of ourselves and our desires, but instead, to meditate upon Christ and The Cross of Calvary.
Updates
YWAM Trang is Fully Funded!
Hello Family, as many of you know, we had a fundraiser this past month for our YWAM Base. The goal was to raise $1350.00 of monthly support. Not only did we hit our goal, but God blessed the base with many one-time donations as well! These extra funds will be prayerfully and diligently stewarded toward finishing furnishing the facility.
EFT Conference
This past month Makayla and I attended a conference put on by the organization that gave us the Religious Visa. Ourselves and the Parks family were the youngest missionaries there. It was an incredible time of networking with other missionaries from many different denominations and organizations. We got to meet some leaders from "OMF", "AEA", and many more. We left the conference feeling very honored to be part of The Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand (EFT), and proud to be part of YWAM. Great things are on the horizon for Thailand, as EFT sets a goal to add 500,000 Christians, 5000 missionaries, and 5000 new churches by 2028!
New Staff Member
This month we welcome Shamoun Younas (Jasper) to our ranks at YWAM Trang. He is a 23-year-old Muslim convert from Pakistan. We are blessed to have him and excited to work together toward reaching The Neediest Red!
Hudson is 5 Months Old
Cute Hudson will be 5 months old on April 2nd! Recently we've been sleep training and that has been such a blessing. We're able to read the bible and many other Christian books to Hudson, thanks to Josh and Duwlee who mailed us so many great books! Hudson also loves to stand and will refuse to sit most times, although we took a great picture of him here as he was trying to crawl. Your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment in leading Hudson in a foreign context are always appreciated!
Japan Scouting Trip
We are fully funded for our Japan Trip. We originally set a goal of $2000.00 and by God's grace, we received a little over that! Thank you to all who prayed and gave toward this scouting trip and thank you for trusting us with your sacrifice. Ourselves and the Parks are now in the final stages of planning our itinerary. Much time has been spent praying and preparing for this scouting trip, and we are looking forward in expectant anticipation for what God has waiting for us.
Prayer Requests
Please Click the photo to view and download our updated prayer request. Thank you as always for keeping us in your prayers.
Special Message For Our Friends and Family
Hello family! We pray first and foremost that many of you had a terrific celebration this past Ressurection Sunday. Our heart desires that your relationship with Jesus has deepened and that your understanding of the Father's love has grown.
We hope our new website will be a blessing to all of you. Makayla predominantly did most of the work, I'm so proud of her. She asks you to please let her know if you find any typos/bugs and let us know if we can improve in any way. We are overjoyed with the vision of how this new platform will benefit you all and give God glory. As always, know that we love and miss you all. We look forward to seeing you and pray for you often. Although it's difficult to be away, we ask the Lord that these messages of ours would be a comfort to you and that they would serve as a constant reminder of why we do what we do: For worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive worship, from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
Blessings,
The Gonzalez Family
(If you have i-message, you could also text these numbers) Makayla's contact (Whatsapp): +66 98 226 6201 Erik's contact (Whatsapp): +66 98 226 6648 or reply directly to this email.