Thailand will always be in my heart!

First of all I would like to thank each of you who contributed towards our ministry here on the world Race. Without you we would not be here, So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK YOU!! You are more of a blessing than you will ever know and the kingdom of God is being changed because of you! God is so good! Thailand was wonderful, my best month so far both for ministry and for having such sweet time with the Lord. While I was in Thailand I felt that the Lord was continuously speaking to me. I was constantly able to feel his presence. I feel that I grew deeper in intimacy with him that month more than any other time in my life. It was wonderful! I began truly understanding how the Lord feels about me and what he says about me. It has been life changing. During the day we were working at a wonderful Coffee Shop called Wongen. It is run by our contact Emmie who was a jewel. At night we split up into 2 groups. One group went out to the red light district and built relationships with the men and women on the street while the other group stayed back and interceded. We rotated nights between praying and going out. Thailand and our ministries were bathed in prayer and we could definitely see the difference. We were going out daily and ministering in some of the toughest situations yet but there was such a strength and peace that we carried with us. 

During the month the guys and girls were split up. The guys were working and ministering at an orphanage while the girls were working at the café and ministering at night in the bars. Every weekend the guys would come down and minister with us at night. One night in specific Tom and I were walking around praying about who he wanted us to speak to. As we were walking my eyes were directed to this sweet woman. She was sitting all alone and I knew this was the person God wanted us to talk to. We sat down and started playing games. Her English was very broken but I could understand the basic line of what she was saying. Needless to say this was the start of a very special friendship. Every night I went out I made sure to stop and visit her. Even if she were with a client she would leave and make time for me, even if it were only for a minute. She is a beautiful, sweet, kind hearted lady. Every time I would go to see her she would give me paper cranes, roses, and stars she made for me. My heart was so excited and thankful that this sweet lady would think of me. Saying goodbye was hard, but I know she is in the palm of the Lord’s hands. Currently she is visiting her mother in Northern Thailand and will be there for a month. Please join me in praying that she will find work near her family that will be enough for her to continue supporting her family so that she does not have to go back to the bars. The last night I was there she told me that she would really enjoy being a masseuse. I’m praying that a door is opened for her to be able to do something she enjoys and still be able to support her family. 

Tom and I both feel that our time in Chiang Mai Thailand is not over. We know we will go back someday but are very unsure about the timing. We have a lot of school loans to pay off so it may be 2, 5 or 10 years down the road but we know God is in control and will bring us back whenever he wants us there. The people of Thailand will forever be in my heart! Thank you for reading, have a blessed day!