THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! (Kop Kun Kah is pronounced = Cop Coon Kaaah)! This is the phrase for “thank you” in Thai.
I am amazed at how you gave to help us take the girls out this past week and I feel overwhelmed at the ways God worked in their lives. I want you to know that your donations helped us remove 11 girls last night for a night of FUN at the bowling alley. The three girls with Shannon & I had never been bowling before and they had a BLAST … they kicked our butts too! This was by far the happiest I have ever seen them. There was a freedom in their hearts – they felt free to be themselves, with no pressure to perform. They had such a care-free spirit and bounced around – dancing all night! I was able to use the money you sent to buy Thai Bibles and give them to all the girls who came last night. I was even able to give 2 more Bibles to “Jenn” and “Da” … for their daughters. I have uploaded pictures on my picture website: http://picasaweb.google.com/darcisimpson/Thailand#. Earlier in the week, I got to take my girls out to see a movie … we did it up the right way. We got some nice reclining seats, each got our own popcorn and drink and any candy they wanted. “Mo” even saved her plastic cup from the night and told me that every time she looks at it – she will remember that night.
Two nights later, “Jenn” was with a customer and so we couldn’t see her … but “Mo” was able to go out to eat with us. She wanted to eat at a fancy place. So, we at at a place where you get a bowl of soup and they put it on the burner in front of you … and you pick up plates of food that are on a conveyor belt in front of you – and cook them in your boiling soup!!! It really was delicious. And you could eat as much as you wanted – even unlimited fruit and ice cream! 🙂 That night – I was able to ask “Mo” about what religion she was. She told me that her family is Buddhist, but that her sister (“Mo” is the youngest of 3 girls– just like me), is a Christian. I asked her what she believed and she told me that she believed God in her heart and knows Jesus is real. She told me that she even prays in tongues when she goes to church … she plays the violin for church. I asked her if she prayed that God would give her another job, and she said that she knows that her job is bad, but she promised God it would only be for one year… because she desperately needs the money. She has to pay for college and she feels the need to help her mother financially… her mom raised 3 girls on her own when their dad walked out of her life. They were very poor growing up and she wants to help her mom as much as possible – even though she told me that if her mom knew what she was doing, it would break her heart. She is an amazing girl and I feel so privileged to have gotten to know her – she truly lights up a room. God has some BIG things in store for “Mo” and she is going to change people’s lives when she realizes it – seriously, she has the greatest, most loving, most beautiful and fun spirit! 🙂 I wish you could have all met her – you would love her instantly!
But, last night was by far the most fun we have had with them. I hope you understand how HUGE this was – to be able to remove 11 girls from the bars and take them to do something fun, with nothing required of them. And the money you sent paid for everything we did with those girls – every coke we bought them, every tuk-tuk ride to the mall, every time we removed them from the bars, every dinner we had with them… you paid for time, time to share Christ with them, time to show them their worth! Many of the other girls that I have done ministry with this month, have been amazed and thankful as well, at the support you have given me for this ministry. Thank you for caring! They are going to be writing blogs to tell their experience this week and as those go up – I will make sure that you are able to read about how you made a difference in their lives as well. I seriously want you to know how much you have made a difference by giving. $11 has gone a lot longer than you could ever imagine. It has changed lives this week – truly changed lives.
I am sad to leave the girls – this is by far the most attached I have been thus far on the Race. It is going to be a hard chapter to close in my life, but I am certainly looking forward to our debrief on the island of Ko Samet in a few days – Mike & Patti are on their way right now. We will see them on Sunday and then leave them again on Friday the 1st of May. My team will then head out to our next destination. I am not sure that I am allowed to tell you where I will be next – it is a closed country. But, I can tell you that team Spectacle will be back together again and we will be staying at a YWAM base – doing homeless ministry. I am looking forward to it.
