Thailand, I had been dreaming about going to Thailand pretty much since forever! God had put girls involved in sex trafficking on my heart a few years ago and ever since I have wanted to get involved in some sort of ministry involving this. So I was more than excited to go to Thailand. It was one of the reasons I chose the route I did. At Nepal debrief our team found out our ministry in Thailand would be in a village. I was less than pleased. Not necessarily because our team would be in a village but because I had this expectation and desire for what I wanted to do in Thailand. I wanted to be upset but I felt the Lord saying to me … just wait I have great things in store for you. Oh did He ever! First off, we were only in the village for a week and I loved the village. It was so peaceful, beautiful and so much fun. We were supposed to be helping build a house but we only ended up moving wood and hanging the men actually working shingles for the roof. We also rode bikes around beautiful rice fields, got to spend time with the villagers, and eat delicious food. Not only that but when we got back to the city, I got to go to the bars 3 different times. It was such a blessing to get to go even though it wasn’t my official ministry. Each time I went I met someone new and tried to love them the best I could with Christ’s love. I would talk to the girls, play pool or connect four, or go back and forth teaching each other English and Thai. God doesn’t want us to look at these girls for what they are doing but for who He says they are. They are His children, they are chosen, loved, and are being pursued by the awesome God of this universe. I remember one night we were praying back at home while a group went out to the bars to talk and hang out with the girls. God brought me back to one of my favorite books of the Bible Hosea. Specifically Hosea 2:14-15.
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her, her vineyards
and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
I was so taken a back, I realized the Lord was pursuing all these girls working in the bars, waiting patiently for them to turn to Him. He as just brought a bunch of Americans across the world to Chaing Mai Thailand to love on them and share God’s truth with them. God pursuing us is something I know but in that moment it hit me and I was filled with so much hope. The same God that brought me out of the miry pit and redeemed my life is the same God who loves these girls and will keep pursuing them. He doesn’t give up on us He won’t give up on them.
My month in Thailand was truly one of my favorites on the race so far. I hope and pray God gives me another opportunity to go back one day… I’ll just have to wait and see.
