Could I Ask for Anything More?

A Letter from Sharon Bryant, serving in Thailand

April 2018

Dear Friends,

Very quietly one evening in early March, my older brother Ken slipped from this life into the next following a four-year battle with brain cancer. In the weeks since his passing, I have had the chance to reflect on the tremendous impact he has had on my life.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be like him, though I would never call myself an attentive, or even respectful, younger sister. He attended Fuller Seminary back in the 1970’s and served the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a pastor for 38 years. One of the things that you may not know is that from 1972 until 1974, my brother served as a Volunteer In Mission in Thailand in the program that I now coordinate: Christian Volunteers in Thailand. He taught at Trang Christian School in the far south of Thailand. Ms. Urah, who retired just last year as Head of Academic Affairs at that school, said that my brother came to Trang Christian School when she herself was a newly appointed teacher in her first year of teaching. His commitment to service, his work ethic and his Christian faith made a lasting impression on her. Once again, I was humbled by yet another story of the work of those who have gone before me and how they have made my work so much easier. What a blessing to know that it was my own brother who did this!

Have I told you what a great group of volunteers I have in this program today? Four times a year, we take a week to be together in some small town in Thailand. In our time away, we explore dimensions of our Christian faith, learn something new about our ministry, strengthen the bonds that hold us together in support of each other, and have some “down time” to play on a beach, relax by the pool or break bread together. In the past two years, we have also offered to spend a day at a small school intensely engaging with students while teaching some basics of the English language. I am in awe of this group who with such eagerness to serve is willing to give up “beach time” to work hard at helping Thai children master this complex language of ours! At the end of one of these one-day English camps, the volunteers are exhausted and are barely able to stuff some food in their mouths before crashing. Yet, when I ask whether they might be willing to do it again next time, the answer is always “YES!” Eight volunteers will complete two years of service this May. I don’t have eight coming in to replace them, but what I do have is something even more incredible: Seven of the eight have made a commitment to stay one more year here in Thailand and continue the work that they have been doing. Could I ask for anything more?

Rev. Kenneth R. Bryant

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In the meantime, there is one individual who does not get enough recognition for the ways in which she contributes to this program. Ms Wararat Chaisuk, who was hired as the Assistant Coordinator of Christian Volunteers in Thailand last year, works hard to make every aspect of this program a success. She comes in early and stays late. She follows up on details of our planning, continually encourages volunteers who are struggling, and has difficult conversations with school administrators who fail to follow program guidelines. At the present time, she is serving as Acting Coordinator of the program while I am in the USA speaking at churches and meeting with university leaders about ways we might become partners in this ministry. She is the consummate professional, taking as much care with photocopies of devotional materials for our retreats as she does business correspondence with donors. Where did she learn how to do this? Not from me. Her father is a former presbytery executive, now retired. He, too, was a tireless worker behind the scenes — the kind every program, ministry and church needs in order to succeed. I thank God for those whom God calls to serve the church. They are amazing!

Finally, I cannot say enough about the wonderful people who support the work that I do. I came back to the USA in March — earlier than I had planned — to attend my brother’s funeral service. I offered to speak at a church nearby, as I knew I would not be back there later in the year. They said, “While we would love to hear you speak, spend time with your family. And, oh, by the way, here is something for you.” Enclosed were two checks, totaling almost $2,000 for this ministry, one from the congregation and one from Presbyterian Women. There are no words that adequately express my gratitude to those who open their homes and their hearts to me as I travel, to those who write the checks or send the cards and emails in support of this work, to those who share Facebook messages or promote the program through their churches. You are all awesome people and I could not do what I do without you! I am, as ever, humbled by all that you do to help me.

In Him,

Sharon Bryant