China
Month one of the race our entire squad remained together! We were in Harbin, China, which is in the northwest region very close to Russia. We spent the month with one goal in mind, “Making Disciples.” Our ministry contact (Jake) was from Ohio and had spent the last 7 years in Harbin planting underground churches and making disciples. Each team went to a different region of the city (10 million citizens) handing out flyers, volunteering at daycares & schools. Our focal ministry was going to the many different universities and speaking at the English Clubs. Each team had their own translators, who were young adults from Jake’s underground churches. These translators actually became our main mission field. They were young Christians in training to become pastors someday. Month one was full of questions and wonder and God continues to amaze me to this day with the reasoning & purpose of us being there.
Thailand
Land of the smilesJ
Month two of the race was just as crazy in the physical realm as it was in the spiritual realm. From snuggling with tigers and riding elephants to attending the hospital a total of four times from sickness. From intense night terrors and poor attitudes to humbling encounters of the Holy Spirit through the lives of people lost in the sex industry. We spent the month in Chang Mai, which is in north Thailand. My team was paired with team “Fearless Unity” for the month and we worked with an organization that took in children that are at a high risk of being sex trafficked. Many of these children were from the hill tribes and their parents would sell them for days at a time to pay off old debts. These kid’s stories/lives rip your heart out and leave you in a state of confusion, anger and rage. But these kids had more joy than anyone I’ve ever encountered. They had been saved and were living in a community of Christ’s love/safety. They were given a home, education, food and the freedom that only Christ can bring. We spent the month laying the foundation of a new home that will house around 40 boys. We would do construction during the day and eat dinner at the girls/boys homes each night. Thailand is a place full of darkness where the light of Christ shines extra bright.
Cambodia
“The Land of Keeping Face.” Khmer people are notorious for keeping face: showing no true emotion and seeming happy when everything is going bananas. Being the American that I am this was very frustrating; to be honest, this actually angered me. But I fell in love with Cambodia as soon as we crossed the Thai/Cam border. Something just felt right in my spirit. Before we met our contacts or knew our ministry I discerned this was a place that I would return in the future. Our team was alone for the month and our home was smack dab in the middle of a sugarcane field on very large stilts due to all the flooding. We taught English classes all month to the people of the village. Five classes were taught at our home, two classes were taught at a private school in town and three classes were taught to the elders at the church. Saturdays were our off days to ride water buffalo, go bee hunting and play with snakes. We also got to play with wild monkeys at Angkor Watt, which was dope. On Sundays we took turns sharing our testimonies, preaching and leading worship at the local church. Cambodia is/was one of my favorite months thus far.
Malaysia
Month four was considerably the toughest of Asia for me. This month was December and everyone was homesick for obvious reasons. Celebrating Christmas in a Muslim nation where Christianity is illegal was very frustrating. Our ministry was unlike anything I’ve ever done before. We worked with a character-building program that teaches English to children and teens. The most anointed man alive runs this ministry. We had to follow many rules and be very secretive with our faith for our own safety; but more importantly for the protection of Mr. Kumar’s ministry & family. We literally just loved on people and let Christ shine through us without saying a single word of the gospel. Our team grew and spent so much time in prayer and declaration. God blew my face off by showing me how words aren’t needed to share the gospel or to impact people. I could tell you so many stories about how people’s lives were completely transformed by this ministry. If anything, Malaysia has shown me that the light of the world (Christ) doesn’t need a process or an agenda to shine into the darkest of places.
JAPAN
Month five of the race was completely new for me and AIM. I was a part of the first squad to ever minister in Japan. My entire squad was spread out over Osaka, Japan. We were in homestays and churches all month. And after four months of heat, humidity, and mosquitoes, the freezing temperatures and snow was welcomed. The culture of Japan is all about honor and respect and is nothing like china. (JAPAN> China haha) As you can tell I freaking loved Japan. The people of this country are so hungry for an encounter with God. My team preached, led worship and spent tons of time with our Church family. Literally everyone on my squad fell in love with Japan and wants to return someday, and I’m sure a few of us will. I was also given the opportunity to take the position of team leader of “Still Relentless.”
ASIA was super dope and I can’t wait for Europe!
Please pray specifically for the following:
§ Open hearts for salvation
§ Open doors for ministry
§ Health for my team
§ Financial blessings for my squad mates to meet their deadlines
§ Wisdom for me as Team Leader
We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. ~Acts 6:4
