It was a night that had Thailand written all over it.
Michelle and I were headed out on a date after a laid back afternoon and I couldn't have been more excited!
We grabbed out purses and giddily ran out of the coffee shop with a loose plan for the night:
1. Massages
2. Dinner
3. Red Light District
Michelle and I, with the help of some new friends from Singapore (Hi Wendy and Mag!), found our way to Deep Relax where the Lord blessed us with a 100 baht ($3) friend discount, making our aroma therapy hour long massages a mere $12!
We stumbled out onto the street walking on could nine. After 4 months of sleeping on the ground, a massage sure does the body some good!
!. Massages
We were then off to complete tasks two and three.
We quickly decided that eating dinner at a bar would be much more organic for making new friends.
But where to go?
We walked toward the red light district praying out loud asking where the Lord wanted us.
We were getting closer and still nothing.
Lord, are you listening? Are you speaking? Am I listening?
Finally Michelle said, "let's stop and ask again." So we made our way to a store front out of the way of foot traffic and simply asked, "Lord, show us where you want us to go."
When I opened my eyes I felt the overwhelming sense that we were supposed to go to a bar close to the one we visited on New Year Eve, but that the same one.
So Michelle said, "okay, lets go!" and we started walking again.
We had barely walked a block when I saw it…
"Fullmoon Bar 2"
I would recognize that sign anywhere. Neon and colorful, with a smiling moon.
Two nights before, on New Years Eve, I had sat at the "Fullmoon Bar" and played ultimate Jenga with the girls there. The graphics were identical but the bars were blocks apart.
I stopped in my tracks as I realized that I had taken a picture of the Fullmoon bar's sign before we left. I stood in awe as I shared with Michelle the significance/ irony of the sign.
Boldly Michelle asked me the most obvious question, "Is this where we need to eat?"
I sheepishly responded, "I don't know."
"Well then ask the Holy Spirit. Ask Him, Holy Spirit, is this where we need to eat, yes or no?"
"Okay… Holy Spirit, uh, is this…YES."
I was overwhelmed with the answer before I could even finish my question.
"Yes, this is where we need to eat!" I exclaimed to Michelle.
I had though that we were supposed to eat in a bar close in location to the first bar, but as it turns out, it was close in name instead.
So we made our way inside the Fullmoon 2 bar. As we walked in, I thought wow God, we are still blocks from the red light district, this bar is empty and this place looks doubtful for food. What could you possibly want us here for?
Were my stocks about to be blown off…
We walked in and asked the one employee if they had food. She quickly pointed us toward a booth and handed us a very large menu.
Not only did they have food, but they had all kinds of food: pizza, pasta, burritos, burgers, thai food; basically everything under the sun.
Okay Lord, we'll stay.
After taking our order and friendly conversation, our waitress proceeded to cross the street and walk to a neighboring restaurant to place our order. Fullmoon Bar in fact does not have food, they just sell it from another place.
Funny Lord. I guess you really do want us here.
As Michelle and I were talking my attention kept being drawn back to our waitress who was sitting just a few booths over. A few more employees had shown up and they had now all congregated, but still no other customers.
Weird. I guess this means we have a good chance to continue to talk to them.
Our food was delivered and we finally got the courage up to invite the employees to come and sit with us at our table. And much to my surprise, they agreed!
I guess these are the people you brought us here for.
Michelle and I proceeded to eat our chicken fried rice and Pad Thai surrounded by our new friends. Conversation was easy as we learned each others' languages and life stories. ( cue the laughter at mispronunciations!)
2. Dinner
From that point on, I realized this night was one I would never forget.
We had heard from the Lord, listened to what He had said and we got to partner with Him in what He was already doing.
By the time we left the bar we had:
– 4 new friends (Facebook official even)
– heard two heart wrenching life stories
– plans to meet up again on Friday for English lessons
– seen several pictures of our two waitress' children
– a deal to trade a picture of me in the rice fields for a manicure
– a fun picture that perfectly captured the night
– delicious thai food over incredible conversation
To wrap up the night we grabbed some Banana Roti and took a brisk walk down the red light district covering it in prayer as we walked. We had seen how powerfully the Lord was moving and were able to speak truth of the area and people there.
3. Red Light District
To say the least, this was the best date I have ever been on!
Jesus, thank you for letting me be apart of your plans. Thank you that your plans are the best! Thank you that you speak to me. Thank you for boldness to act on what you say. Thank you that you are moving in incredible ways in Thailand and in my life. Lord thank you for who you are! YOU ARE SO GOOD!
