Austin and I are on our way to Malaysia. It is crazy we are heading to our last ministry with our last team. I am sad to leave Chiang Mai and more importantly the girls I saw everyday.
Zion Cafe and Hostel is an amazing place that provides work for girls who are needing a job. A job that will bring encouragement, Christian discipleship, and a better future. If you weren’t aware, the redlight district is common to see in Thailand. The women and men who are involved see it as a way to provide for their families. It is not encouraged but it is also viewed more like a job here. It saddens my heart to hear some of the decisions these people make to provide for themselves and their families. If a brother is needing financial aid, it is put on a family member to provide. They do not function as an independent culture, but as a family unit. American’s do not understand or live by this culture. We become independent quickly.
The girls who work at Zion have become my sweet sisters and friends. They love to have fun and laugh. We have had several dance parties in the cafe when no one was in the cafe. A few of us girls really wanted to get to know them and understand more of their lives and how they think. They have dreams and desires, but there is also survival. Speaking truth of how much God loves them and wants bigger and better things for them is something we were able to do this month. He is not leading them backwards but forwards. He wants to hear their desires and for them to rely on Him for their strength.
Within this ministry, there has been some discouragement, some girls have returned back to the bars to “work”, where they were before. Some from this ministry are now managers at well known hotels, and others at local coffee shops. There is hope, but there is also a pattern of leaving this little pay and going back for better money. I want to invite you to pray for my sisters. I got their permission to post their photos and what they would like prayer for.
Jaiko: She wants to study and learn Korean. She wants to live in Korea for a while, study, and go to school. She eventually wants to open her own coffee shop. She would also like prayer for her relationship to grow with Jesus and to know Him in a deeper way.
Koy: Pray for provision for her family. She lost her husband and she has children that she doesn’t get to see. She wants prayer for her growth with her Heavenly Father and for her identity to be rooted in Jesus.
Tep: For clear direction in where to go and provision in her next season. She has been discouraged and has been wanting to go back to her old job. She is confused and needs to be discipled by a strong godly woman consistently. Pray for her identity and joy to be from the Lord.
These are my beautiful Thai sisters. I am so sad to leave, but I know and trust the Lord is providing in ways that I cannot. His work is still being done after we leave these places. It doesn’t get easier to say goodbye.
Thank you for your faithfulness in following our blog and praying for us as we trust the Lord. We are so thankful for each of you and value your prayers.
