We have made it safely once again to our newest ministry site…….this time for month 5………in Thailand. Whoop Whoop!!! There was a lot of anticipation about this month. At one point we thought the guys and girls might be split up but that was merely a rumor, with all teams staying together. All anticipation aside, I believe this month is going to be a wonderful month. I’m ready to be stretched. Bring it on!!
This month we are in a part of southern Thailand that was greatly affected by the tsunami in 2004. I remember thinking seven years ago about how far away Thailand seemed as well as thinking that I would never travel to see this country. Well here I am, standing in the exact spot the tsunami hit. It is crazy to think that the Lord had this planned for me the whole time without me even knowing. It is another simple reminder that God’s plans are always that much better than I could ever dream or imagine. Jeremiah 29:11 “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 a hope and a future.”
This month is going to be a little different than much of the ministry we have done up until this point on the Race. We will be teaching English in schools as well as visiting villages in the area and praying and ministering to these people groups.
One of these groups are called sea gypsies. They are a tribal group that live in boats right off the coast. They are not citizens of Thailand because they travel and are not originally from Thailand. Some of them now live in a small village secluded from much of the other people. Since they are not Thai citizens and are tribal people many of the Thai people choose not to interact with them and therefore they live amongst themselves. One of the women that we are working with this month has been ministering to these people for the past 5 years and has yet to seen any visual fruit of her labor. This part of the country is less than 1% professing Christians. Many believe in spirits such as those of their ancestors as well as animals. Most houses have “spirit houses” where they sacrifice to these “spirits”. It is a very dark community and much of our month will include walking through this village praying and interceding on behalf of these people and those ministering to them long term.
As Christians we are called simply to spread God’s love and follow His call on our lives. We are unable to soften the hearts of people or open their eyes to the Truth “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6), that is God’s job.
This is a bit of what I am struggling with at this point. Not being able to “see” those results. It has been a continual struggle for me on this Race but it has been consuming my thoughts more and more recently. More on this later though……check back and I will fill you in.
Until next time
Annalisa
