Dearest Prayer Warriors,

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an event that is held over a 9 day period here on the island. Abstaining from meat and praying to the Nine Emperor Gods is believed to ensure purification – good health and peace of mind. This festival is a celebration to the gods and takes place around six main Chinese temples around the island.

During this festival, many ceremonies are held to invoke the gods. These ceremonies are very gruesome. Mediums of the gods enter into a trance-like state and take part in fire walking, body piercing, climbing ladders of sharp blades and other forms of self mutilation. Each year, these people are more daring than the year before. One of the most popular ceremonies involves people puncturing their cheeks with different items such as knives, skewers, or other household items. They believe that the gods will protect them from harm.

Tomorrow is the first day of the festival. They begin the event by raising a lantern pole at one of the main temples. This act is believed to notify the Nine Chinese Gods that the festival is about to begin. The people believe that the the Hindu god, Shiva, descends to bring spiritual power to the event, as well as attracts 36,000 gods to the event. The next few days people bring offerings to the gods during the ceremonies.

This event is taking place all over the area that I am living this month. As these people call upon the gods and invite thousands and thousands of them to join them in this festival, I truly believe that they are just opening up the doors to thousands and thousands of demons. I don’t know what part my team will be taking in this event.. whether it be in actually seeing it with our own eyes, attending, or staying back and interceding on behalf of these people. Whatever it may be, I ask that you would all be heavily in prayer for us.

Thank you, again and again. Always love to you all.