Guatemala. Thailand. Malaysia. Swaziland.
The words can roll off my tongue like muscle memory—I don’t even have to think about it anymore.
“Where are you going?” BOOM. “What countries are you going to?” BOOM.
Saying those four countries has become sooooo easy!
One night at training camp, I was hit with a sudden realization. A new perspective. This night we took the time to pray specifically over our route, the four countries we have chosen to travel to, live in, and do ministry in. I’ve said those four countries over and over again, but that night they became MORE than just a name.
These countries suddenly were filled with REAL people. People just like you and me, with dreams and struggles and stories and family.
These were the places I’m about to call HOME. Home. A place to sleep and eat. A place to rest. A place for community. A place to LIVE LIFE.
These countries were places I’m soon going to fall in love with. (Or maybe not love living in so much?) But either way, will have huge pieces of my heart. They’ll be big pieces of my story, and big pieces of my life.
On this special night at training camp, we had big sheets of paper that had information about each country, along with some big ticket prayer requests written on them. As we walked to each sheet and prayed individually for each country, we got to write other prayer requests on it, filling it with more and more HOPES, DREAMS, and PRAYERS for these countries!
Guatemala.
Population around 14,367,881, with 2% unreached. A majority Christian, but with one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America (101 murders per week.) 14% of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 a day.
We prayed that over the church in Guatemala and the discipleship taking place. We prayed over the recent volcanic eruption of Volcan de Fuego, which affected over 1.7 million people and killed 99. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would transform the heart of those focused on violence. And we prayed over the AIM base located in Guatemala. We prayed for this country to be overcome with His LOVE and for hearts to be transformed.
Thailand.
A country that is 85% Buddhist. Approximately 425,000 people in SLAVERY. 3-4 million migrant workers in labor or SEX TRAFFICKING. But also a country nicknamed “the Land of Smiles.”
We prayed over Bible translations, and for people who pay for sex in these industries to feel conviction. We prayed for sound biblical teachings throughout the country. We prayed over the people, especially women, involved in sex labor and trafficking; we prayed they would know their worth and their beauty from the Lord. They are CHILDREN OF GOD.
Malaysia.
Population around 27,913,990, with 62% Muslim and only 10% Christian. Like Thailand, sex trafficking is a reality. There is an entire black market based on selling and buying human lives for prostitution and sexual exploitation. Christians are also forbidden to witness to Muslims.
We prayed over the Malay people as a whole, because they are one of the world’s largest unreached peoples. We prayed for Malay translations of the Bible. And we prayed for love and Truth to be poured out over this country.
Swaziland. (Eswatini)
Population around 1,201,904, with 85% Christian. It is one of Africa’s smallest nations, but 26% of the population ages 15-49 are infected by AIDS (highest in the world!!!!) This has created around 100,000 orphans. 40% of the population is unemployed, and the life expectancy is only 51.
We prayed over the Adventures in Missions base and care points located throughout Swazi. We prayed for sound biblical teachings to combat any false teachings, and we prayed over the HIV/AIDS crisis. We prayed for hope and restoration over Swaziland.
When we started to pray over these countries, they became more than a name.
I invite you to pray for these countries too—Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, and Swaziland.
Please also continue to pray for me and my squad, as well as the other 5 squads going onto the field, during this transition and time of change.
Within a few short days, I am leaving Tennessee to travel to Atlanta to meet with the rest of my gap year squad. From Atlanta, we will be leaving all together to travel to Guatemala— Our home until December.
PRAYER MOVES MOUNTAINS. Our Father is powerful and He will change lives!
Here we go. See you in NINE months America!
– haven
