My toes match my prostitute’s….

 

As you read in previous blog posts from Thailand this has been a pretty spiritually heavy month of ministry. We have been given the opportunity to go into very dark places such as Bangla Road and bring LIGHT. Before coming to Thailand I had no idea what ministry would look like this month, I did not know how much my heart would break as I walked down those roads and looked into the eyes of men and women who had no hope. It would be so incredibly easy to visit this place and come to a depressing and discouraging conclusion. The TRUTH however, is that amidst the sin and darkness there is HOPE, there is VICTORY, and there is LIGHT.

 Exodus 14:13-14 “”Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD
will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see
again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 
This verse has been speaking to me this week in big ways, God is fighting for us…discouragement has no place here, God has the victory.

The ministry that SHE does in Phuket is just incredible example of how much God is moving in this part of the world. The more I go down to Bangla Road the more empowered I feel because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that MY GOD IS ALIVE, HE IS GREATER, HE IS WORKING….

As I get ready to leave this month and head to Africa, I leave with confidence knowing that the God I serve is changing lives and bringing hope to places where there is no hope.

One of my favorite songs we sing together before going out to the bars is: 

It’s true…darkness has already been defeated, Christ has conquered death, and His blood has given us the victory and authority to bring His Kingdom down to Bangla Road. Last Saturday we had the amazing opportunity to lead a worship service in a bar in the middle of Bangla Road. As i stood there worshiping God with my hands raised…I could truly see the darkness being pushed back with our praises, God’s light is shining brighter than the sin in Patong, and I’m so honored to be used as His vessel this month and get to see it first hand. 

 

Over the last few weeks in Phuket, we have built relationships with several girls on Bangla Road. Last Sunday they invited us over to cook Thai food with them and have lunch at their home. It was such an amazing time of fellowship, they were so hospitable it was overwhelming. It was amazing to see how their love for us shone through all barriers including language barriers. Every time we go to the bar to see them we order 2 Sprite’s and we share them. Waiting for us at their home on Sunday were three cold Sprite bottles and several smiling faces 🙂 The beautiful women cooked us a 5 course meal, taught us Thai dancing, and let me paint my toes the same color as theirs. These women have stolen my heart and I know I will never stop praying for them to come out of the bars and to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They said they would come to Christmas with us on Saturday so we are praying that they are able to make it!

Me and Da….I’m basically a giant compared to how tiny she is….

The Sprite that spoke more to my heart than 1000 words could have

I was so full after all of this incredible food….sooo good! Probly the best meal I’ve had in Thailand!

 

 

 

Most of our group minus Leslie and a few of the other girls…

 

These women are not prostitutes, that is not their identity, they are God’s daughters whom He LOVES and adores. Ps. 45:11 “The King is ENTHRALLED with your beauty, honor Him for He is your Lord.”

I am so blessed to have gotten to know these incredible women, I pray blessings over their lives, I pray that they come to know TRUE freedom in Christ, to grasp how wide and deep is His love for them, that they can experience intimacy with their Savior and true love that does not fade away.

Now, every time I look down at my toes I am reminded to pray for them…