We made it safe and sound in Bangkok, Thailand. After leaving our hotel in Atlanta, Georgia at 3:45 am Saturday morning, we touched down at the Bangkok airport about 30 hours later. Phew! The traveling was not as horrible as I thought it would be, but we were definitely looking like we had been up for two days straight. It downpoured last night as we were traveling to the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base where we are staying at, so when a few of us went running this morning, our nice clean tennis shoes got soaking wet.
I am very excited about being in Thailand, and for all the ways God is going to stretch me. I hadn’t even left the airport last night before I had my first encounter with a westerner coming here to participate in the illegal sex trade industry. Mark and I were taking the shuttle from the airplane to the terminal when a man from Chicago asked us what we were in Thailand for. After our breif explanation he proceeded to explain that he comes to Thailand at least three times a year for the girls. I was shocked at how blunt he was but tried to remain composed. The man went into detail to two complete strangers about how he doesn’t smoke, drink, gamble, etc. but the girls in Thailand are better than any of the girls in America. The man kept explaining how he does what every man wishes they could do, and how it was so amazing. It was hard to hear. All I could do was pray for that man and pray that God would not let me build up anomosity toward him in my heart.
I know I will probably face many more situations like this during the next year. I will have to learn a new level of dependence and trust that God goes before me in all situations.
We will be in Bangkok until Thursday at the YWAM base and then my team leaves for Ratchaburi for the rest of our time in Thailand. I cannot wait to share more about what God is doing.
