Thanks Holland Cox for writing this blog to preview our last month in Thailand…

Administrator. Camp Director. Marketing Consultant. Personal Assistant. White House Aid. Teacher. Barista. Urban ministry coordinator. Fashion buyer.  Waitress. Entrepreneur…We come from very different places, backgrounds, career paths, but all of these things have specifically prepared us for this month. 

 
This month, the month of June, is our last month; month 11. For this last month the guys and girls are split up. The guys will be off doing ‘man-istry’ while us girls will get to spend the month together. In light of that we have joined up with the girls from another team to form a bigger, better team. We are now 10 women strong. 

My new team, which we have named ‘put on love’ from the verse Colossians 3:14 will be working in Phuket, Thailand with a ministry called SHE. It stands for Self Help and Empowerment (http://www.shethailand.org/). It works to assist at risk children and women, many of whom are trapped in the commercial sex trade. We will be going into the bars at night and forming friendships with the girls and if they are open to it, introducing them to SHE where they can learn a new trade and find counseling and support. For the girls who have already gotten out of the sex trade, we will be helping them with their businesses, such as baking or making jewelry. We will also be leading Bible studies and serving in any way we can be used. 

I cannot express how excited I am to get started on ministry this month, but I am under no illusion that it won’t be tiring, dark, and heartbreaking.

So we are asking you to pray for us. Pray for the unity of our new team.  Pray for the women we will meet at the bars. Pray for the women who have already left the bars and are under the care of SHE. Pray for the men who fuel the commercial sex trade. Pray for our men while they are off doing ‘man-istry.’ Pray for our protection in the bars. Pray for our protection and the country of Thailand, as it has political unrest. Pray for our last month, that we finish strong and not grow weary.

We thank you all for allowing us this opportunity through your love and support. God is love.
 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
 
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:12-17

Below is a video SHE made, just to get a taste of what the ministry and city will be like…