We are in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the month living/working with Lighthouse in Action/Zion Café. We have 3 days of orientation, etc., and we will find out our ministry soon- I’ll fill you in when I know more.
The differences between Cambodia and Thailand are astounding. Cambodia is beautiful in its own way- but unless you are in the heart of the tourist district, the poverty that runs rampant throughout the country is constantly on display. Thailand is lush, green, and clean. In Cambodia, the lines on the road mean nothing to the drivers, stoplights and speed limits must be mere suggestions- or else there are very few cops to enforce them. I was shocked when driving through Thailand and people actually stopped at the lights and stayed in their own lanes (also- they drive on the left side of the road!). I loved Cambodia because I loved the people I was able to be with and minister to, but Thailand has an energy I just love… perhaps because, in some ways, it feels like it could be a part of America (and that thought is so comforting).
At breakfast this morning I was sitting outside watching people pass by and the Lord spoke to me. He told me I could go into this month believing it’s going to be easy, turn a blind eye because the need isn’t so obvious, but then I would allow myself to be blind to what’s really going on. What I see is just a façade; Thailand has over 70 million people who have yet to meet the Lord. 70 million people who have never experienced the hope and joy and love of God. 70 million people living without hope.
I was then reminded of something one of my squad’s coaches said at training camp, “If you can see it, it’s not the enemy.” We have an enemy coming against us, prowling this earth killing, stealing, and destroying- he is the true enemy, not people. This is especially important to remember in the red light district- it’s easy for me to hate the men who frequent those establishments, but I have to remember they are broken, lost people, desperate for a savior. Am I excusing their behavior? Absolutely not! However, hatred towards a fellow human isn’t the answer to anything. The women need Jesus. The men need Jesus, too.
I’m intrigued by the various ministry opportunities there are for us. My passion is for children and I tend to be pigeonholed as a “children’s ministry worker” but I know we have a wide variety of talents on my team and I would love to be stretched in this regard as well. God knows what’s going to happen- my desire is to move when He moves, I am excited to see what He has for me this month!
Also, crazy random, but towards the end of our month in Cambodia, I felt something on my heart concerning an infant and Thailand- so I started praying for this baby… I’ve been praying for her for weeks. I really don’t know why but on our last night of debrief we were asked to pray big (“impossible” “crazy”) prayers- including one specifically for this month. God brought this to my mind again… so I’m praying for a baby. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I expect Him to show up. In response to my prayer during debrief, He told me (somewhat cautiously) that it’s going to be hard, and asked if I truly wanted to walk down this road. I told Him I want to go where He wants me to go, hard or not.
Also, my “big, crazy, impossible” prayer for the year is that I become bold in the voice He has given me and that He gives me the ability to speak and preach. So that’s going to be interesting…
Thanks for reading and commenting and praying!
Good night from Thailand!
XOXO
