My first 24 hours in Thailand were filled with a renewed sense of excitement and readiness to see God move in this place and through my team. My ears are so much better and the flight did not mess them up again, which i was very afraid of, and my sinuses already feel better too. It was almost like a weight was physically lifted off as we flew out of Malaysia and into Thailand. We are in Bangkok for the first week for a squad debriefing of the first two months, and then my team moves on to Pattaya to begin our ministry for the month. This week of refreshment is exactly what my team, and the whole squad, needed after being hit with a tidal wave of ministry for the past two months. Even though I would give something real big to have some cold weather (endless summer is not as fun as I imagined), I am still excited to be going to the coast of Thailand and working among the girls there. I promise to keep you updated much better this month than last (assuming we have internet connection). We have already had random experiences in the first 24 hours of being here (but i have come expect no less from my team), which include seeing the king in his royal procession while being yelled at by a policeman to not move as he was driving by, one teammate being kicked by Thai lady while trying to get something off her shoe, and being joined in picture taking by a homeless man in a park. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the month holds, and how God is going to move in this place. I feel that it is going to be an amazing month.
I am praying God continues to refresh us and bring us out of the “valley” month we had last month and uses us in ways we never imagined. I know the spiritual warfare we experienced last month was preparing us for things this month as we learn how to build relationships among the girls in Pattaya and bring the presence of God into those places just by being there. I know I am going to be pulled far out of my comfort zones yet again this month, but that seems to be the theme of this trip for me and what God is teaching me to do. My team and I really appreciate your prayers for our physical and spiritual health and safety. We have battled both of those things and will continue to do so as evil spiritual presences are much thicker in these countries than we have ever experienced at home. I felt it once again on Sunday as we walked through a buddhist temple and my spirit was so overwhelmed, and I was so lightheaded the entire time, seeing all these people bow down to a statue and worship it. But focusing on God’s power and worshiping Him though it all continues to sustain us, along with much prayer.
oh i forgot to mention my near death experience in the airport. my squad was riding a downhill conveyor belt to get out of the airport with our carts piled high with packs, and as we got the bottom, someone’s pack rolled off a cart and got lodged at the bottom and the cart turned sideways and as i could see myself being squashed in between my cart in front of me and the many people and carts behind me, i somehow managed to ninja jump on the rail beside me to avert what in that moment i considered certain death, or at least the loss of my legs. The airport workers quickly turned the belt off however, and all this got many laughs from squad when it was over. but it was quite frightening for me in the moment. i will never look at escalators or conveyor belts the same again.
this is apparently how they transport their royal guard after the king drives away.
