…THAILAND
That is the latest and most exciting news. The Lord has been preparing and has called me to Phuket, Thailand
(South Thailand-the blue part on the map above).
What Organization are you serving with? I will be returning to work with SHE Ministries.
For how long? I have committed to serving for a minimum of 2 years.
What will you be doing? I will oversee 4 different job training areas (Jewelery making, cooking/baking, English Classes and Hotel Training Courses). I also get the opportunity to really disciple, love and pour into these Thai ladies who no longer are captive in prostitution. I also get to learn from these ladies and the Thai language.
When will you start? I will start April 2011
How long have you known? I was asked in May 2010 while I was still on the World Race to pray about coming back to serve for a year and teach English. I committed to pray and so did they. After some time, I was ready to say yes to this, but felt as if I wanted to do more than just teach English. At the same time, the SHE leaders got the same word and had more in store. That is when they proposed to put me through a leadership training program and oversee their existing ministries. I was offered this position and accepted it this October 2010.
How can I be praying for you? Pray all the necessary ‘to do list’ items get done (buying a plane ticket, getting my visa, fundraising, etc…). Also pray for my heart-I am saying goodbye and hello at the same time. I am beyond excited about going, but I know I will not be coming back for some time. In addition, the Lord has been using this time to prepare/refine me-though it is not easy, pray that I do not fight this process, but praise God and embrace it.
It may be necessary to point out, that this ministry is INTENSE and it can be easy to give into temptation/curiosity. I remember walking down Bangla Road-where there are over 200 bars and 1,000+ women. It does not take long to notice the sin-there are layers upon layers of sin. That is why it is so crucial for me to have this time to prepare and make myself as clean as possible. I am making my foundation strong now-so I have that to rely on when dark times come.
What are you most looking forward to?Living in Asia! I feel like I am going home! I fell in love with Asia and I came alive. I love Asian food, people, culture and languages. I truly miss being immersed in a language I am not fluent in. I cannot wait to learn another new language, by living and serving with such amazing people.
What are you least looking forward to? Though I do not like this question and do not want to go into a ministry with this mindset. I will admit that I am a little intimidated with the Thai language-but this is just a challenge for me to trust the Lord even more. The Lord calls us to the impossible, for it forces our dependency on Him and Him alone.
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask them in the Comment section of this blog or e-mail me.
