Stefan

We bid farewell to our friend Stefan at 11:30 this morning as he boarded a ferry back to Ko Samui. He has been with us now for about eight days and we have been blessed to see a lot of fruit from our relationship with him. There is too much to tell about all at once but one of the coolest moments was a few days ago when he joined us for a Bible study (Luca gave him a backpacker Bible). We were discussing the first chapter of James. He was reading and listening, but mostly looking into the distance with that glazed, thoughtful expression on his face. Suddenly he said, "my friends would never believe what I am doing right now". We all laughed joyfully at the statement. His expression remained dead serious. "No, really... they would never believe it." He said, shaking his head in some disbelief himself.
This morning as he was leaving we gave him our picture with some notes and scriptures written on the back. Then we all prayed a blessing over him. (He somewhat jokingly asked that we pray only good things. He's been reading Revelation.) The most unexpected and glorious moment was after I read the Aaronic blessing over him and we all said amen and suddenly he started praying for us! You know it's going to be a powerful prayer when it begins with, "Lord, well... you know I don't pray much. In fact this is the first time I'm really praying..."
It was very humbling and rewarding to hear him geniunely thanking God for sending us into his life.

We've had some other great opportunities here in Haad Rin, Ko Pha Ngan, as well but those will have to wait for another blog.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."