When I first got to Thailand I couldn’t believe that I was finally here. Asia seemed like an elusive idea, a place I could not quite grasp in my mind. However the first thing I noticed upon our arrival was how comfortable I felt here. That surprised me because I was never that excited for Asia. After being in Africa for a few months I was ready for a change, but that was all that really excited me about Asia. I was also very uneasy about the ministry situation I was about to get myself into. I knew nothing about it, only that the Agapetos girls plus Shawna and Amanda from Nessa would be working with a prostitution ministry called The Well in Bangkok. It is funny what lack of information can do to you. I felt so unqualified and so confused. But I gave all that to the Lord, put my trust in Him and knew that He must have something for me in Thailand. He wouldn’t send me all the way across the world if He didn’t have a plan for me.
Once in Bangkok I got more information about the ministry and felt a little better. I was excited about spending time with the girls already pulled out of prostitution and working with them on their jewelry projects. I was not very excited about doing outreach. This included going to the bars and meeting the girls who worked there. I felt very inadequate and unsure of what to expect. Well it is still not my most favorite thing in the world, but outreach is not as bad as I originally thought. I have made some relationships with a few girls and even got the privilege of taking two of the girls out for bowling, karaoke and ice cream. One way to get to know the girls better is to pay their bar fine and take them out for the night. It is a win win situation for all. You get to get them out of the bars and get to know them better at the same time. God is really starting to break my heart for these girls. There are still sometimes feelings of inadequacy and wonderings of what do I have to offer, but I try not to let those bother me and just push forward. Even if the girls I meet choose to stay at the bar and not come to The Well, I will still love them and they will still have a special place in my heart. God is changing my heart as well. There are days when I actually look forward to going on outreach.
I am also really enjoying my time at The Well building relationships with the girls who have chosen to leave the prostitution industry. I have been spending most of my time at the center where they make jewelry to sell nationally and abroad. Me and Kim have been teaching the young women English and have been able to help them make jewelry. All in all my time in Thailand has been wonderful. What a growing and learning experience God has brought me through.
