It has been waaaay too long since my last blog. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying Spring back in the states! I am not sure where to begin to catch you all up on what’s been happening on the race. But, here goes nothing…we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand on 4.29. We ate Pad Thai for nearly 40 BAHT which is about a $1.20 US a meal, enjoyed catching up with other squad mates, and sadly said goodbye to our squad leaders – Tara and Robby. We love you guys!
We then boarded an over night 12 hour bus ride to Phuket, Thailand to partner with SHE ministries. SHE stands for Self Help & Empowerment. Mark and Sharon felt the Lord calling them to start this ministry back in 2006. Four years later they offer English courses, baking and jewlery classes, and hotel hospitality jobs for women who are stuck in prostitution to provide for their families.
At 9pm Monday – Friday…a team of nine women (we are here with team Ignitus- love you girls!!!) pile into a van and head to Bangler road which is an area of Phuket that is the sex tourism capital of the world. We walk down the street as light, joy, and peace as we ask the Lord to guide us where to go. Bangler road is dark, the lights are bright, the music is loud, people are drunk, women are barely dressed, men are searching, people get in your face offering to take you to a go-go show – but in that there is HOPE. 
What does our ministry look like? We basically go into the bars and LOVE the women. We visit them nightly, we take them to get coffee, bring them flowers, or out take them out to lunch or dinner. We basically show them their worth and share what GOD thinks about them. If we feel led we invite them to have lunch with us at SHE where they can learn more about the programs they have to offer. The only requirement is that they leave the bar scene for good. Life is full of choices and that is what I love about SHE. It is the same way with God…we have the choice to love HIM and follow him.
We have been out five nights and it is very overwhelming and difficult to not carry the burden of getting these women out the bars. I’m learning more and more that God wants me to bring specific things to specific women. That is why praying is so important – asking God what HE wants me to bring.
I want to share a story with you… on Tuesday night I was walking and saw this woman sitting on a bench and she literally looked like she was broken. It may have been the first time that I have seen such hurt on someone’s face. I walked by her. I was about to cross the street and said outloud to two of my teammates, “I have to go back.” I walked up to the group and asked if they were okay and if they needed anything. They thanked us and said everything was fine. Then the woman on the bench who was drinking a beer, her hair was a mess, and looked like she had beenn crying asked me if I wanted to come sit down. I agreed. We sat talking for a few minutes. I actually don’t remember much of what we talked about. A few things that I do remember is that she told me her Mom had died four months ago and that she has slept on that bench before. I listened as she slurred her words. I felt like the Lord wanted me to pray for her so I asked and she said yes. We held hands as I prayed. I hugged her and walked away. The whole time I was thinking I have to see her again – how am I going to see her again.But, I had to let that go. The thing is I heard God’s voice say go talk to her…so I did. I continue to pray for her and pray that God protects her.
Please continue to pray for boldness, protection, purity, and for a power outage. Yes, that’s right…we believe and are praying for a power outage one night on the streets of Bangler. God is BIG – and has BIG things in store. Please join us in prayer for BIG things. Love to you all!
Blessed to be a witness,
Michelle
