Whats up from Thailand! We are done with are first week of ministry here in Chiang Mai. We are working doing manuel labor and playing with the children at Agape home. It is place of love for orphans as I say. The lady who runs has been here for 30 years and is from Canada. She has a lot of energy. We all have enjoyed her a lot. The first day we started she talked about how Agape was started and showed us a video from when she first started. It started with a dream and the Holy Spirit literally stopping her right in her tracks. She couldn’t move her leg and He asked her what she was going to do. So she knew the Lord wanted her to start this orphanage, and long story short with just one little girl and hardly no finacial support, she did. Nikki is the girl and this place is also called Nikkis place for obvious reasons as well as Agape. The Aids epedemic was ramapant back then with a lot of babies being abandon.
Thats all the motivation I needed to get started with ministry after our 5 day rest. All she did was be obedient with what was right in front of her and she said yes to the Lord when He asked her too. How can He trust us with a lot when we aren’t doing the little things. Jesus said that.
Shortly after her testimony we went to work. So far in a week we have sanded and painted a stairway. Also we have sanded multiple pieces of furniture. Then we put lacker on some of the pieces we did. Lastly we have played with the children. It means a lot to them to be loved and to give the staff a break hopefully. I still sometimes struggle with trying to strive, but what we’re doing matters. Like I said “its the little things”. I have really enjoyed my time as far as ministry. I posted pictures on facebook and will continue to do so. So check them out.
As for me I am learning a lot. This month has been difficult at times and I feel perplexed at times. I am learning to let God be my righteousness and be my wisdom . Cease striving and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations or Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Even as I ‘m writing this I feel this anxiety pushing me to write. Anxiety is not from God and has no place with God. He says be anxious for nothing in phillipians chapter 4. It is a command and I’m trying to realize that I don’t have to be anxious. If God has given me His Spirit then I have the authority to overcome it. Concern and grief is one thing, but anxiety is something I will get over. I have to sit with the Lord in complete trust in knowing that He has everything planned out and He is good, He is chill, God is not worried, He is on the throne. Amen! I believe He wants us to exhibit that same confindence in Him, not in our own abilities. I write this because it is something I ‘m walking through. It has been hard, but I will hear God clearer and make better choices when the love of God is driving my desires and not anxiety. Because I have let it control me in the past, it has become a part of me, my body is used to it. Sometimes it is hard to regognize. There science to back that up.
But I know I will be free. The word free has been spoken over me multiple times. I am writing like this to let you know that you can lead in your weakness. We don’t always have it together, But there is One who does. I am coming to you with a struggle. But I will not give up. I will not hide, but bring everything to the light. I thought I dealt with this so there is an oppurtunity for shame to creep in, but I know you all don’t need to hear how amazing i’m doing all the time. I like to be honest and real. My hope is this brings you hope and understanding that God works through us and doesn’t need us. But He loves us and wants us to trust Him.
I’m not at all saying be complacent. But I feel like if you are really saved. That you won’t be. You have the Spirit of God in you. But if God is telling us in his word to clearly do something, whether or not He told us we should do it. We need to do it. But anxiety shouldn’t be the driving force. Thats what I’m walking through. Among other things.
God is so Good! I am excited to continue on this journey with Him. Every morning I wake up with a new found confidence. I can’t wait to get with the Him. My giants will fall.
The Lord is doing amazing things. I need to be obdient with what He is telling me. Also I am fasting and praying on a regular basis. Its not as spectacular as on the front lines of the gospel, but I believe it is an essential tool for us.
I am really encourged as well with my team and squad. I feel like we are coming together well. I have really enjoyed there company. Our team has been upfront about how we feel. We have given eachother good challenging feedback when needed and ecourging when needed. We have team time everday and talk about our day. They told me that I need to come to them more and not fight by myself. They told me this in Vietnam and I have made sure to use my teammates since then. Praise God! He is using my squad mates to grow me. I know thats from the Lord.
Pray that God would be my rightousness. Pray that souls would be saved where we are. That my squadmates would grow in there walk with the Lord. Pray for a manifestation of the Holy spirit in our squad. Pray for countries I have already been too. I shared the gospel with a young lady from Vietnam though messenger that I met when I was there. I asked her if she was going to heaven. She said well that depends, if I continue to do good things, I mean I’m not perfect. I hope you get the picture. She has learned about Jesus and has some knowledge. Which is a big step, living in Vietnam. With Vietnam having little to no christians. So pray for her. Rachael.
Lakes Community Church. Hello! people of the church. I would love prayer requests from you. I am eager to hear about how everything is going. So if you are a member of the church I would love to know what to pray for. Your family or anything related to Lakes Community. Thank you much love!
