My team just finished our month in the beautiful country of Laos. Gosh, I have so many things I want to tell you! Unfortunately, for the protection of the individuals we worked with (since Laos is a closed country and has strict religious restrictions) I won’t be posting much about our time there. However, I have some of my sweetest stories of the Race from our time in Laos, so you better believe I will talk your ear off about it once I’m home. It was an incredible month… I am literally overwhelmed with gratitude for all that God let me experience. So for now, all I’ve got for you is my journal entry from my last morning in Laos…
God, thank you so much for this month. I am blown away by how things worked out. You gave us each individually the word to go to Laos at the same time in a glorious moment of confirmation. You led us here though we knew nothing about this place, not even its location on a map. You paired us up with an amazing contact through several random acquaintances. You got us out into a village to work with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. You showed us your heart for those broken men whose lives you are completely transforming and awakened a beautiful and fresh passion in me. You gave me depth in relationships and a love for them that is so rare for me to experience. You showed me more of who you created me to be. You led us around this city in prayer, showing us how much you are fighting for these people. You led us under your protection through the dark streets and into a passionate underground prayer meeting with the precious people you have burdened for this country. You so often blanketed our location with your divine security so that we could boldly sing your praise and spill our hearts out to you. You led us to some of the most beautiful pieces of your creation that I have ever seen and allowed us to circle the city and till the soil in prayer. You joined us with the brave believers who meet against the will of the government because they cannot do anything less than serve you with all that they are. You took us out into a village to share a meal with a humble young couple who you have entrusted to bear your torch in the lonely darkness. You bound us tightly in a matter of hours to your faithful sons and daughters in this country. You gave us many sweet moments of pure joy and laughter. You challenged us to look at our own faith in light of the unwavering obedience of your persecuted followers. You have blessed me beyond my understanding, Father. My heart is more full of love for you than it has ever been, because I have seen more of your character and experienced more of your love this month. Thank you God, you are so so good.
