End of Launch
A few days ago we finished our launch week in Phuket, Thailand. My team (Jonny Gospelseed) was assigned to work with YWAM in Kalasin doing ministry with college students. On Thursday we said goodbye to the rest of our squad and took a 24 hour bus ride from north from Phuket to Kalasin. Long bus rides are already becoming a norm on the World Race – good thing for iPods and learning to fall asleep in awkward positions!
Last day in Phuket
Youth Camp
Instead of going straight to the YWAM base we spent three days at a YWAM-sponsored Christian camp for 300 Thai and Korean university students. Over half the students were not believers and came to the camp because Thai and Korean students enjoy spending time with each other. The area surrounding the camp was breathtaking!
Just outside the main pavilion of the camp
Worship pavillion for the camp
Next to my tent site!
While at camp we made friends with many of the students and told them about Jesus. Most of the students spoke decent English and were extremely open to talking about their faith. A YWAM group from Atlanta and our team provided entertainment for the camp by dancing on stage to a slew of ridiculous songs. I felt like I was on a Japanese game show! All of us “farongs”, or foreigners, were treated like superstars. Every girl at the camp wanted a picture with me and told me that I was, “their style.” Haha! It is a good thing that camp was only three days because I was definitely getting a big head!
Steve and I with the girls hahah
A video of worship at the camp:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1350363920679&saved
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1350363920679&saved
Campus Ministry with YWAM in Kalasin
On Sunday we took a bus from camp to Kalasin city along with a bunch of Thai students. We rocked out to American music – especially Justin Bieber – the whole time. Upon arriving to Kalasin our team “feasted” on insects at a local market (video below). Apparently you aren’t supposed to eat the grasshopper’s legs… who knew!
We start working at the three universities in Kalasin tomorrow, but today we had a day of rest. This afternoon our team spent three hours sharing our testimonies with each other. It was SO powerful to hear everyone’s stories. We all have baggage which weighs us down… but my team amazes me with how much they have had to carry. I am so excited, though, because I know that, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1) and that, “We did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” (Romans 8:15)
This year is going to be a story of redemption and freedom for all of the Seeds (my team). This year is going to be colored by victory and by rejoicing as God makes unfathomably heavy loads as light as air. God has placed within all of our hearts a cry which compels us to fight for each other, no matter what. We are ready to be amazed!
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” – Habakkuk 1:5
Pray for our team as we go start a Jesus movement on campus tomorrow!
