Without Words (part 2) [with video]

Did you hold onto your pants like I said to?  

Day one of us being there, our contact presented us with a new direction for ministry.  She needed all 4 teams to go out to the land she just purchased to clear it for a building that was going to be built by May (it was March..this needed to happen asap with all the hands possible).  Before we started to pray for where God wanted us, Emmi made it very clear to listen to the Spirit before anything.  Don't "feel" like we have to please her, but to listen to what God has to say.  Guess what God said?

Stay.

I can't even tell you how hard it was for myself and the other two team leaders to go up to this woman who has given her life for this ministry..and to tell her no.  To say, "Sorry, but we feel called to stay with the ministry in the city".  Before we could even fully finish that sentence, Emmi made sure to tell us not to apologize for anything.  The most important thing about her ministry is to follow what God is saying.  We continued the month working at the cafe, going to the red light district, and the slums between all three teams while one team went to the village to clear the woods.

Within a week of staying in the city we often had moments where we ALL felt like we should of gone to the village.  March is the month when all the spring breakers leave, college kids go home, and the city is calm as a cucumber.  The bars become barren compared to February, the cafe is quieting down to a handful of customers, we're wondering why we're here.  

But then, in walks a man to the cafe.  He quickly finds Emmi, our contact, and asks to speak with her about some things.  They sit down in her homeade office and he tells her he has a building.  She replies to the man with a quick no and explains how she has no money for this building.  He tells her money isn't an object..take the building..that God said so.  God gave Emmi a new building for her ministry.

Zion.

In the midst of the red-light district, down the street from the colorful markets, next door to the bars and brothels, sits this beautiful 6-story building perched on a little corner.  Emmi quickly names it Zion without hesitation.  It shines bright amongst the darkness that surrounds it, it is the beacon of hope that it has called to be, it is a safe haven for those escaping sex trafficking, prostitution, the bars, the brothels, everything.  You remember how God called us to "stay"?  How freaking clear is it???  The original 4-story cafe that our ministry is run from is now moving to this new 6-story building across town.  We ABSOLUTELY need three teams to move everything within five days.

Burn.

Throughout the whole month I had been reeling back and forth about something God laid on my heart the first moment I stepped into this country.  When we were in Bangkok and I started actively taking things to God, the first thing He told me was to have a twenty-four extended worship session in Chiang Mai.  I have NO CLUE how that is supposed to look, feel, and sound so I naturally try to avoid doing it.  There was no location where we could have it and I didn't want to look stupid if it sucked…wow, flesh.  

Why should I share things with you anymore if you're not going to be obedient?

Dang, God…drop the mic.  He has honored me so much this month, now is my turn to honor Him.  The first thing Emmi showed me when we moved into Zion was on the second floor she was making the room specifically for worship (thanks God, you're so cute).  I then asked Emmi if all 4 could have twenty-four hour worship there along with blessing the building and praying over it.  She couldn't of been more supportive, encouraging, and blessed the whole situation.  

Hillside.

With all this listening going on, God wasn't about to stop.  He shared with me specifics of who, what, where, and when I should apply to a worship DTS this summer.  Low and behold I was accepted to attend a fire and fragrance DTS in good ol' Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  

So, I guess what I'm saying is that Thailand was amazing.  There was a plethora of things that happened that month and there is no way I could fully explain in one blog.  All I know is that God honored all of us women that month more than ever..along with Lighthouse Ministries.  Emmi is one of the most amazing women that God has ever placed in my life and I am beyond honored.  I know that isn't the last time I will be there and God I could not be more excited.

P.s. If you're interested in finding out more about my DTS this summer: 
        http://fireandfragrance.com/hillside-intensive-july-2013/

Video by Carmen Thomas (it's amazing and you should watch it):