Every Season’s Change

Hi, we’re Rob and Christina Johnson.  

We live and minister in Chiang Mai, Thailand with our three boys. We moved here from New Orleans back in 2013. Rob has been serving at Chiang Mai International School (CMIS) as the Spiritual Advisor/Service Learning Coordinator. Christina volunteers part-time with a local ministry called Thai Village, a small organization that focuses on a holistic ministry to low-income Thai people.  

Currently, we are in the middle of one of the more difficult seasons of the year to be living in Chiang Mai – smog season. This season has continued to get worse and last longer over the last few years as people in the surrounding countries and people here burn crops and forests in order to make a living.  In fact, just yesterday, Chiang Mai made it to the top of the list as the city in the entire world with the worst AQI (air quality index).  

With the addition of everything that is going on with the coronavirus right now, many folks in our community are feeling stressed out, worried, and anxious.
And yet, in the midst of these challenging circumstances, God remains faithful (Psalm 91:4-6).  

I was reminded of these truths recently as I was meeting with students who are members of the Middle School/High School Spiritual Life group that meets once a week during lunch at CMIS. As the Spiritual Advisor, I have the privilege and joy of working with students on a daily basis who are literally from all over the world. Approximately half of these students come from a Christian family background while others are from a variety of religions or not religious at all. Our topic that day was “The Christian Response to the Coronavirus.” It was impactful to hear from students how they were feeling and then have the opportunity to look at Scripture to see what God’s Word says about anxiety, worry, and fear (Philippians 4:4-7, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 41:13, Luke 12:25-26, and John 16:33).  

One student, who is from a Buddhist family background but became a follower of Jesus earlier this school year, continues to ask so many questions and is growing a lot as he starts on this journey. It has been exciting to see his passion for knowing more about the Scriptures and growing in his relationship with God as we look at topics like these together. 

Wherever you are on your journey with whatever circumstances you are facing, our prayer for you is that you would continue to see that Jesus Christ’s steadfast love is never ending and He is always faithful.  

We are grateful for each of you and your partnership with us as God continues to work in us and through us here in Chiang Mai.