Dear Brother Josh,
I don’t know you nor do you know me. We’ve never met and there’s a good chance we never will on this earth. Despite that, you became someone I respect, admire and wish to emulate. I can tell several stories about you and know quite a bit about your character. You left behind quite the legacy in Malaysia.
On the day of our arrival at St. Joseph’s Home, several of the children asked my team if we knew “Brother Josh.” They were quite disappointed when we told them we did not. Anytime one of them pulled out a picture of your team, they would ask again just to make sure. Everyone there remembers you and speaks quite fondly of you. They always want to share stories of the things you did. (Sorry to the rest of your team but only a few remember their names or have many stories about them.)
Wherever you are now, I pray you are continuing to overflow with the love of Christ. Your willingness to be used however, do any task, and talk to any person left a lasting impression on Penang. These children will one day be grown but I guarantee the impact you had on them will not go away. So thank you, for allowing God’s love to be your constant motivation. You have become an inspiration not only to them but also to me and my team. (And very likely all future World Race teams to visit St. Joseph’s Home.)
I wrote the above note at the end of Malaysia to a former racer who’d previously visited St. Joseph’s Home. Below is an update on what I did in Thailand.
Thailand was an interesting month as it was split in three sections. Spades and Fab were together and once we reached Chiang Mai, we stayed in the same place as 5 Multiplied.
Share the Love Foundation, Phang Nga
Our ministry activities included: house visits/handing out tracts, yard work, helping with a Bible contest (Spades), running a one day English camp (Fab), special music/dance for the church, and trash pickup at the beach.
Zion hostel, Chiang Mai
Here we had a variety of ministry opportunities such as projects (sanding tables and chairs), babysitting, monk chats, contacting potential hosts, prayer walks, red light, and ATL (Ask the Lord). I helped a little with projects and we were all involved in prayer walks through the red light district but I spent most of my time doing ATL. During that time, I prayed in the hostel, along the night market street, and across from the mosque. I also worked with Hannah to create a dance with which we had the opportunity to do at the Tha Pae gate. 5 Multiplied was also staying at the hostel but they were working with a different ministry.
PVT (Parent Vision Trip)
There were 10 of uswho had at least one parent come. We took turns leading teaching and worship sessions. The ministry opportunities were pretty much the same as the previous week or so. My parents and I participated in prayer walking through the red light district, around a section of the river, and at the Tha Pae gate. We also spent some time at Praise Cafe (a local coffee shop run by Christians) praying over the space and all who came in.
On to Cambodia
We spent the first few days at debrief where we received new teams. My new team is Becks, TL, Jess L, Tessa, me and we make up team Present. Ministry this month is ATL. Team Present is in Phnom Penh. Please be praying that we hear God’s voice clearly and see Him move.
