Thailand is a beautiful country and while peak tourism season is at hand it is evident just how many people are drawn to the natural wonders as well as the entertainment options. I would like to say that all the tourists here appreciate and value the Thai people and everything their country has to offer, however it is appalling to realize many people traveling to Thailand are here for sex purposes.
This month on the World Race is what we call “all squad month”. Though we are still working in small teams our whole squad is serving the same ministry. We have an opportunity to get to know squad mates from other teams during this time. We are serving on various ministries including, Zion Café, reaching out to people at the bars, children’s programs at the slums, and chats with monks. When we first arrived in Chiang Mai our squad spent a few days debriefing our experiences with each other as well as with our coaches and mentor that flew in from USA for this debrief.
We spent the days previous to moving in with our ministry host at a hostel in the midst of the Red Light District. This area is prominent for its bars which are scattered with prostitutes who are seeking a way to a better life. Many prostitutes come from the villages and know that through the bars they can make a substantial amount of money to send back to their families or for themselves.
My team has been assigned bar ministry. This month we have been asked to plant, water and harvest. Our host, Emmi, challenged us to put our agenda aside and be willing to go where the Lord will lead this month. Many times in short term missions we would love to be able to share the story that we went into the bars and led a person to Christ, however that is only the harvesting part of the ministry. We need to be content planting and watering as well.
Emmi also encouraged us, “The people we meet are not a project, blog post or your latest profile picture. They are people.” I think that it is important to start out with the right perspective on in this matter. My prayer for our team is that we would embrace relationships, weather we deem them as “fruitful” or not, that we would be faithful. Faithful to pray, show kindness, be generous and be willing to learn every moment.
Each day our team will split into two groups, one will stay home and pray, the other will head to the bars and just spend time with people and spark relationships. This is a difficult concept for me because I will not be here for an extended period and I will not be able to continue to disciple any who may choose to come to Christ. This is an area where I need to trust God, he will continue to minister to their hearts and to also trust that the ministry that is established here will be a stable environment for them to come and continue God centered relationships.
Pray for my team as this will be a difficult month, specifically emotionally. Pray God would establish relationships in which we can share the love of God.
<3
Emily
