Thailand is sincerely a place of beautiful people. The men walk with confidence and humility. The women carry themselves with grace and joy. The traffic moves quickly, but the people move slowly. If you sit on the street for any period of time, you will see a surplus of monks walking about. Smiling is required on the streets of Thailand. You remove your shoes before entering a building, so everywhere feels like home. July in Thailand is hot, but not unbearably so. The food is wonderful, and the smell of it blankets the streets, making your mouth water. God is so present here, even if the residents are unaware.
God is present in the hospitality of the people. This culture highly values servanthood. God is present in the spectacular scenery. There are mountains here like you would not believe. The nature is breathtaking, all echoing praises to Jesus. God is present in the people's hunger for truth and spirituality. The people in Thailand crave spirituality more than anything I have ever seen. Every house contains a 'spirit house' where spirits conjugate to bless the house. There are temples everywhere, and mini gods covering every shop. These people have an insatiable craving for Jesus, they just have not realized it yet.
I was sitting on the roof of our host home this morning. As I watched the people traverse through the streets, I realized that God has always been here. We aren't 'bringing' the Gospel to these people. The Gospel has dwelt with them since the beginning of time. The Gospel has been pursuing them since the Gospel knitted them together in their mother's womb. Just as they are fearfully and wonderfully made, they are also fearfully and wonderfully pursued. My job is simply to facilitate the romance that God has already begun. That is what I am the most excited for this month. To watch the constant pursuit of a loving God with these people. He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. God's heart overwhelms Thailand. From the top of the highest mountain to the bottom of the lowest peak, God's love rests fiercely there while the people are painfully unaware. I want that overwhelming love for these people to come upon me as well. I want to love the people here so much it hurts. I long to fall in love with this place that feels to foreign to my American ways.
Please continue to pray for my team, squad, and myself. Pray for unity and vulnerability. Pray that anything in us that holds back the message of Christ would be removed. Pray against insecurity, strife, or comparison. Pray for supernatural wisdom that transcends what our human minds could possibly know. Pray that the Holy Spirit would meet us in the center of Chiang Mai and that we would never be the same.
When I find out more about the ministry that we will be partnering with, you best believe I will let you know. I love all of you. I miss all of you. Thank you for believing in me and partnering with me.
I'm still $4,000 short for my next deadline by September. So continue to pray about sponsoring me financially or sharing my story to allow the word to get out and God's Kingdom to be brought to these places.
