On that particular day, after seeing this particular video, I felt an urge to start praying for my ministry in Thailand (even though it was a year away). God specifically told me to start praying for a girl I would come in contact with, the one I would meet when I came to Thailand on my Race. The one who would become my friend. God told me then, “Lauren, it won’t be the nation, but I will give you one to connect with, one that you will make a difference in her life and I need you to start praying for her’s and your heart to be ready when you meet.” He also reminded me in a sermon later that summer that people are people and not projects and that I better not enter into Thailand (or anywhere for that matter) thinking otherwise.
My team and I found out that we, along with six other women on our squad, will be heading to Phuket, Thailand to work with women involved in the sex-trafficking industry. Not all women on our squad will be serving in this capacity this month, but we are finding comfort in knowing God has placed each one of us in the place He needs us. This is the month when the men are split up from the women. This is the month God is REALLY going to move in our squad, I can feel it. This is going to be an intense month. Your prayers are needed more so now than ever. God has told me He will equip me and my team, but that we MUST be on guard at all times.
“I will lead them in the paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things I will do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
We found out that we will be going into bars at night to talk with these women. We are going into the dark, dark places. We will be prayer walking during the days, trying to meet for lunch with some of the girls to talk–if they are willing. We need God’s strength for our ministry. I know I will be heavy-hearted for this month, for these women. I will need your prayers.
Before I found out what our ministry’s name was, God told me to “go to she.” God, that doesn’t make any sense. Did you mean her? (Like I have any room to correct God’s grammer…) Who is she? Then Ricki, our point person for the month told us the name of the organization we’d be working with is SHE. I literally almost fell off my chair. OKAY GOD, I’M GOING TO SHE.
There has been confirmation through God and talks with the men and women on my squad, that I know this is where I need to be. I am at total peace. I will take it one day at a time. God has been preparing my heart not just within this past year, but my whole life. Even today, I was reminded how LOVE covers all sin. LOVE. “Love like I do, Lauren.”
