I’m in Thailand!
Ministry is going great! It’s probably been my favorite yet! We are partnering with Lighthouse In Action in Chiang Mai. Our contact is an awesome woman of God named Emmi. Due to Emmi’s own broken past Emmi now has a heart to reach young people who are stuck in life. Particularly, young men and women who are stuck living a life serving in the red light district just around the corner from her.
Here’s a link to learn more about Emmi and her story: http://www.lighthouseinaction.org/
Lighthouse has a coffee shop called Zion Café, this has been my primary ministry. Much of my time consists of me sitting with young adults and just listening to their story, playing games, or helping them with their English. A couple days ago I sat down with three young women, all they wanted to talk about was boys. They told me of their past loves and heartbreaks or lack of a love life. I told them the story of my mom and dad, which they loved!
You can read my parents story here: http://www.sethbarnes.com/?filename=courting-karen-a-college-romance.
They each asked me for advice or encouragement I told each of them how beautiful they were and how they were so deserving of a wild pursuit. They giggled at the thought.
One of the first nights here I joined a couple girls on my team to go do “bar ministry.” Bar ministry is where we actually go out to the red light district and sit in the bars with lady boys, young women, and even the Johns (the tourists). The first bar we stopped in we sat with two young women. One of them spoke decent English so we were able to carry a good conversation.
She almost instantly told me that she had a boyfriend. She seemed excited to talk about him so I asked,
“What’s his name, where does he live?”
I learned he was a forty something living in the states (she is in her early twenties). She explained to me the dynamics of her relationship with him. I asked her if she saw the relationship going anywhere,
“Marriage?” she asked.
“Sure,” I responded.
“No, he doesn’t want to marry me… I think maybe I’m not perfect enough for him,” she giggled when she said it, as if it was funny.
I couldn’t help but tear up at her statement. This is a lie so many woman struggle with, but she laid it bare.
I told her she was perfect and beautiful and that her boyfriend didn’t deserve her.
I love the ministry we are doing. I love that I get to make friends for a month and talk about life and simply encourage them.
One of my favorite girls who works here at Zion Café (I’ll call her Sarah) sits with me every time I help out in the café. She is in her late teens, her English is poor, but she always comes and sits next to me. We draw things or words on the inside of each other’s wrists and say, “tattoo.” I like to write things on her wrist like, “Beautiful,” or “New Creation.” She loves to draw, she drew me a picture of a tree and mountains for me to have. I put it in my journal.
I love being here in Chiang Mai!
I’m still around $1600 away from being fully funded. I’m supposed to have all but $500 of that raised by October 1st. If you feel led to sponsor my ministry I’d love to partner with you! There is a link to the left of this blog titled “Support Me.” Clicking it will guide you through the steps.
Thank you so much for reading my stories and showing interest in this season of my life. I am so blessed to have such amazing people surrounding me!
