We are now part of a new team for the month. We have joined with one of the all girl teams, Radiance, and will be with them all month. Our guys, Jake and John are doing manistry this month in Chang Mai. We are in Sisa Ket, in a village called Nondcupca. There are about 400 people here and the only Christians here are the family we are staying with.
They are amazing!! There is Mom and Dad, that’s what they asked us to call them. Then there is a missionary from Alaska, Katie, who lives here as well. Mom and Dad have 2 kids of whom we have only met their daughter Piyarat. They are all great and show the love of Christ to the people here. Which can be tough since most people here are Buddhist. It’s very hard to share Christ with Buddhists because they believe in reincarnation and that this life is just the effect of a previous life. So to them they deserve their lot in life and when you try to tell them about an eternal life they think that just means more suffering. Which leads to a lot of hopelessness and laziness, if you think this is just what you have to deal with until you get to the next life there is not a lot of motivation.
This area is also one of the poorest in Thailand. There are a lot of girls trafficked from here to other parts of Thailand and a lot of parents who send their kids with people who promise them a way to make money. Because this is not a huge tourist place there are not many prostitutes in this area so while we are here we are hoping to have a chance to share with the younger girls and encourage them that there are other ways to make money and to be on guard of people coming in and offering an “easy way.”
Our goal this month is to really just show Gods love to the people in this village and the surrounding village. To build relationships with the people here and hopefully a long term relationship with our contacts, did I mention they are amazing!! We are here to encourage them in every way possible. I know it’s hard for them to be the only believers here and so please join me in praying for them and this village. Pray that God does something radical here, that He opens a door for us to share who He is in a way that the people understand. Pray that we can be a shining light in a dark place. Like last month this is another chance to truly walk the walk.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Much Love!
