Upon arriving in Thailand last week, we stayed at the Bangkok YWAM base as a
squad for the weekend. It was a time to reconnect with each other and go
through our orientation for this month’s ministry. I cherished every minute I
got to spend with some dear friends, hearing about where and how they had
served the month before and experience Thai culture with them through some
crazy adventures. We ate some of the best pad Thai you could ever
imagine, walked through countless markets that sell everything and anything,
worshipped on the rooftop together, road hours in a taxi with a lost driver,
laughed through major language barriers, learned a lot through two different
orientations and prayer walked as a squad through one of the biggest temples in
the city.
We also said our good byes to Robby and Tara (our squad leaders) who are now
headed back to the states. They have raised up new leaders from with in our
squad.- Krissy and Auston. It was sad to say goodbyes, and I will miss
their guidance, leadership, and laughs, but I am thankful for the short
time we had with them and all that they taught us and poured into our lives.
After an amazing four days in Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon we took a 14 hour overnight bus
ride south to our ministry site in Phuket. The
ministry we are working for this month is called, S.H.E (Self Help and
Empowerment). It is a wonderful organization committed to helping woman and
children at risk in Thailand, many of whom are trapped in the commercial sex
trade. S.H.E. provides a safe place where they can come and learn a new
way of life. They equip them to support themselves through various
livelihoods such as making jewelry, chocolate, cookies, table cloths,
cards and by getting part time hospitality jobs in a hotel and serving food at
a local café. They also offer English classes as well.
All together there are 20 (girls only) World Racers here at SHE serving
together this month. We are staying at the S.H.E house where girls come to work
everyday and some live from time to time. Our roles this month will look like :
going to the bars and building friendships with these girls and then sharing
about Jesus love and SHE ministries with them, helping around the house with
anything that is needed, praying at starbucks during the hours other girls are
in the bar, as well as prayer walks up and down Bang La Road during the day.
Another part of it all is inviting the girls out to lunch or coffee or
something fun during the day to get to know them away from the bars.
exposed to and most of it seems so unreal, yet it’s right in your face. This
place is the sex tourism capital of the world. I, by no means feel called to
the bars, but am wanting to be obedient in serving where the Lord has placed us
this month. I do long to help these women walk in the freedom and truth most of
them don’t know exists or don’t think they deserve. So I am seeking the Lord
and asking what his plans are for me there in this month. Each day I’m
here, I feel more confident to pray for these women and hopefully get to know
some of them over lunch or coffee.
If you’d like I’d love to invite you to join us in powerful prayer this
month. If you can remember to pray each morning as you start your
day, 7 am in the States is 9pm here & when we are starting our ministry each
night.
Please Pray:
~ for boldness
~ pray for divine appointments
~ for God’s clarity in his guidance and direction
~ that God’s love and light radiates off us as we walk into one of the
darkest places in the world.
can do is pray.’ Mark, the founder of S.H.E says, ‘ Well that’s good, because
praying is the best thing you can do.’
If you could be praying for one of my dearest teammates, Denise Allen (wife
of leader Scott), she fell while we were in Bangkok and broke her ankle in two
spots. She was taken to the hospital and had surgery that evening. She is
currently recovering in the hospital there until further notice. I miss her
dearly and am hoping she has a speedy recovering.
