We recently taught a large group of fifth- and sixth-graders about emotions and how to describe their feelings. We were helping them do an activity where they had to color leaves that described different feelings, cut out the leaves, and then glue them onto their paper trees. Inevitably, arguments erupted over the use of glue sticks and crayons. Blows and harsh words were exchanged, even between siblings. Luckily, we had enough support to take the students who were fighting aside and talk things out. We listened to what they were feeling and tried to hear the need behind the hurt. We helped them learn how to repair their relationships with their friends and siblings and get things back on track.

What gives me hope is that relational repair, or reconciliation, is a responsibility that God assigns to each of us. The apostle Paul said that “God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18b-19 NLT). We could save ourselves and those we care about a lot of heartache if we would learn to repair quickly and not hold things against each other, and if we would give ourselves the freedom to get back on track and keep moving forward.

If you share our desire to help children and families in northeast Thailand come to know Jesus and learn how to reconcile their relationships as God intends, we invite you to pledge your support. With your support, we can help the Isan Thai people learn how to live out their faith in Jesus and get things back on track.

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