Ever since I got Hannah, I have had troubles with her throwing tantrums. At first, I would be able to calm her down pretty rapidly, with either a correction, or singing to her, or praying with her. But, about a month ago she started having more determined tantrums, especially during worship time. This has taxed my strength to the limit, and I found that God has given me far more patience than I ever thought possible!

I knew when I got her that she might have troubles with temper, especially because of the family situation, and their big temper tantrums, but I had no idea that such a little girl could display such determination at being naughty! To make matters more difficult (sort of) I am also very determined that she never be rewarded for that kind of behavior and I must win every single battle without ever showing anything but love! (try that when a little one is kicking and screaming in your lap…again)

When she first started the mindless screaming and fighting, God directed me to try throwing ice water in her face. It worked wonders right away! I was really hooked on the ice water idea. I didn’t have to do it very often, but it always helped clear her mind like nothing else could. But, I am finding that God does not stagnate! Just because it works once does not mean that we should not ask God every single time what he would have us to do next! This week, she started in again during worship, and I tried everything that came into my mind, including the ice water, and nothing was helping in the slightest. I asked everyone to stop worship and pray for Hannah. Kentegee then told me that she thought that I should go and dip Hannah in the creek. In the creek? That seemed a little severe, but as I prayed about it, I could see that this was what God wanted me to do. So, I carefully carried her out to the creek, and asking her once again to stop fighting me. When she refused, I then dipped her in the creek. I could hear the neighbors in their house gasping in wonder at this demonstration. It was miraculous! She stopped all fighting and screaming and asked to be picked up. She then hugged me tightly, and laid her head on my shoulder. We went back to the house, dripping wet, but happy. She had victory for the rest of the night.

When I watch the children here in Thailand, I do not see them fighting with their parents, or throwing temper tantrums, and being rebellious. And, I have to stop and ask myself, why is Hannah having so much trouble? We have done everything according to the bible, and by the direction of God. Sometimes it seems very discouraging to me. But then I stop and think about it. The parents here make no demands on their kids. They are not required to obey, and the parents spend what little parenting time they do spend just trying to please the little one so that they will not cry. What this has caused here are adults who only do the things that God requires when they feel like it, or if it feels good. Older children are outwardly very well behaved, but most are not spiritually inclined. The church is full of irreverence. Babies are allowed to do anything they want, including going to the bathroom on the floor, and nothing is done about it. At church, I have had to not only try to teach Hannah to sit still and be quiet, but I have to do it while little kids are tickling her, and trying to make her talk to them…even during prayer. She sits, while all the other kids are running around and playing.  It sure does help to have Roy here!

I finally have realized that we are not just teaching Hannah new habits, we are fighting an entire system of doing things. Hannah belonged to Satan, and we are not only taking her away from him, but we are teaching others how to raise their children also. I have already noticed a slight change at church. Some of the parents are keeping their babies with them. They watch every move that I make, and they are beginning to make some changes also. Although this is a very difficult battle, I get the feeling that great things will come from it, if we can endure. I don’t feel strong enough for this, or wise enough for this, but I do serve a really big God he is able to guide me all the way.