Most people come into Bangkok, specifically the red light district, and see and feel the physical presence of darkness.
I am no exception.
As we moved around the city for the first couple days I could tell there was something living here.
There is a darkness that does not want to be challenged.
There is a sense of hopelessness that would like to stay where it is.
And then?
There is the army.
We’ve already met a large group of believers here in Thailand.
We’ve been to a mission school that is training up people to go out all over Asia to partner with communities and long-term missionaries.
We’ve set foot in 5 churches already that are proclaiming Christ and longing to reach into the city and help those around them.
We met a group of men and women who get together every week to pray with each other, encourage each other as they all individually battle for God all over the city and in the slums.
We’ve tasted cupcakes that are baked by ladyboys who long to have a better life for themselves.
We’ve walked into the red light district alongside women who themselves were pulled out of it.
We’ve sat next to people at church who are in Thailand teaching at international schools but are still desiring for heaven to collide with earth in the city.
We’ve been able to pray with these people, walk with them and they have shown us where God is.
God is in Bangkok.
God has an immense army here rising up out of the ashes of hurt and despair.
So yes, I’ve felt the darkness- I felt in build the minute we turned the corner into the bars last week.
But every time I’ve bowed my head in prayer over a group of people doing His work God has practically shouted in my head.
THIS IS MY ARMY.
As He has done with the hardships and hurts I’ve felt on this race- He does not want me to forget that there is hope. That HE knows the end of the story- and that I should as well.
So as dark as it is here, as much pain and suffering and sadness—
There is hope.
There is freedom abounding.
God has an army here in Bangkok.
Be on the lookout for more stories from our ATL/UHC month here in Bangkok. We are here for about another week and a half before we head out to Cambodia. And at the rate we are going- God has so much more for us here!
