Month 5 is coming to a close as we finish up our time in Asia! Asia has been nothing short or incredible. I have been apart of the lives of many people and apart of ministries across central and south east Asia. These 5 months have been accompanied with tears, trials, treks, and triumphs.
My first month was India. I had no clue what to expect and I still haven’t processed the busy chaotic beauty of the place, but India holds a special place in my heart. It couldn’t have been more different than home but the work and ministry I was able to participate in was true kingdom building. My team, Plants and Pillars, and I preached the gospel and shared our testimonies every night to a different illegal church meeting held in faithful believers homes. We sang worship songs and we were force fed to much rice to stomach. We were apart of the persecuted church and would participate in building the church even though we had to pass terrorist training sites to get there. God showed me obedience can be difficult and take you far out of your comfort zone but it always is for our good.
Month 2 was Nepal in the capital of Kathmandu. I got to trek 10 miles into the Himalayas and wake up to a sun rise over Everest. We met and prayed over the “virgin goddess” in a dark filled room in a Buddhist temple. We climbed to temples and prayed that their strongholds be broken. That was amazing but the best thing was I got to serve my squad. I was entrusted with the role of financial coordinator for the squad and with it comes the responsibilities of working with ministry hosts and coordinating payment for housing and other expenses on “all squad month” a month that we all do ministry together. The ministry we worked with included praying over monks, running kids camps, praying over temples, walking into cabin restaurants (aka brothels), and sharing the gospel with the women inside. It looked like playing with slum children and telling them how much Jesus loves them. It also looked like painting a faithful pastors home. This was a challenging month that God taught me how to be patient and to pray in all things.
The 3rd month led us to Northern Thailand. The beautiful country from beaches to jungles and mountains. Thailand was breathtaking. This month we partnered with an international ministry that worked to educate children and adults about healthy living. We held hygiene camps in rural areas for Burmese refugees. We also took crazy roads up mountains to a village where I got to share my testimony and we shared the gospel. This month I felt tired but through it God showed me His faithfulness to pursue me even when I focus on myself.
Month 4 was in Cambodia. Cambodia’s people are some fo the strongest and most resilient people I have met so far. The country of Cambodia underwent great turmoil during the Cambodia genocide which killed 25% of the countries total population in the 1970’s. The country still struggles to recover such a loss. We had the privilege of partnering with a ministry that takes in high school students that don’t have the opportunity for a high school education. We shared a house with them and taught english classes. The men on our team did manual labor projects and we intentionally sought to build relationships and mentor the youth at Lighthouse. 6 students came to know Christ as their savior! This month God taught me to be intentional. Intentional with my words and intentional with my time. It was also a month full of answered prayers! I was fully funded!
The last month in Asia was in Vietnam. Vietnam was the most like home. My team changed this month to being a team of 6 strong women of God who have joy like non other! Our team is Abide in Joy! We partnered with CRU Campus Crusades for Christ. Vietnam is a communist country and because of that evangelizing is illegal. To share the Gospel with college students we held English classes in random coffee shops around the city. We taught English while taking every opportunity to share the Gospel and testify of what God has done in our lives. The last week we held Christmas parties with all our new friends. This was a time that we fully shared all we believe and dove deep into our testimonies and our love for Christ. Maybe we broke some rules….or laws. But 8 students gave their lives to Christ! This month I went into with bold prayers. I wanted to be unafraid to share the gospel. To be confident and bold with sharing my faith. I can confidently say God brought me to a greater depth this month in sharing Him to a communist nation. He also gave us precious friendships with our college students and amazing ministry hosts. Leaving Vietnam was the hardest yet.
But now we move onto another continent. I board a plane tonight bound for Africa. I always had a spark in my heart for Africa. I can’t believe that in a few hours I will be walking off a plane onto the ground of Ethiopia! This month, 6 our of 7 teams will be together with one ministry. We will be working with medical clinics, orphanages, reforestation, and a lot more. We will be over 2 hours away from wifi so I will be off the grid for the month.
God is good and God has been so good these past 5 months in Asia. I have full confidence that the next leg of my race in Africa will continue to show his goodness. From glory to glory!
