The urgency is NOW.
I can’t express simply how important and urgent it is for the Kingdom of God to be delivered. Stepping on the ground here in Southeast Asia does something to me. I realize more than ever not only the need for vagabonds who are willing to go out, but the need for us to go NOW…and I’m glad I’m here to take part in it!
There have been a few places this year that really captivated me. I’ve loved everywhere I’ve been for various reasons, but since we landed in the Bangkok airport I’ve absolutely loved this area. But not because it’s an easy place to be…because it isn’t. The spiritual realm here is far different than anywhere else we’ve been. We’ve dealt with serious oppression everywhere in the world, we’ve dealt with difficulties everywhere we’ve been. There’s still oppression and difficulties here, but for some reason I see an urgency here. There are various factors pointing to great difficulties breaking through if we don’t keep people on the ground here in SE Asia. The responsibility is all of ours. I have a role just the same as you do…to support Kingdom Come here in Asia.
There is INTENSE prostitution and other forms of human trafficking going on in the region. Our female teams last month spent times on the streets of red-light districts all across Thailand shining as lights in the darkness, trying to show the girls a different way…and offering some way of making it happen. Several ministries are offering a way out of the generational oppression of human trafficking. They are offering hope to any of the girls wanting to get out of the red-lights and fear that comes knocking at their door every day and night. There are ministries of men going after the men that are involved as well…the region is plagued with hurting humans, crying out for help in any way they can get it. Everyone involved in human trafficking comes from an intense background of hurt and fear. And I can’t stand it.
We spent time in northern Thailand, working with some Ka-ren people who live their lives in fear of the B/urma army and government. It’s an intense oppression that they live under, and it’s simply NOT RIGHT. The Ka-ren people are some of the most genuine, sincere people I’ve worked with this year. Crossing into B/urma and being escorted by some way-to-nice-to-be-normal guys (working for the army/government) to the one and only church, and then watched by them as we walked out of their country tells me that the area is up to no good. Daily Ka-ren people flee, headed for the “freedom” of Thailand…trying to find some form of safety in one of the refugee camps. Though safety is only skin deep. The army can still find them, and they are daily looking for them…and the B/urma government instills fear not only in the Ka-ren people but with the Thai people to the point where the Thai police don’t stop much of anything the B/urma army does.
Then we moved on to Vietnam. A country where worshiping God is restricted. A place where evangelizing must be done covertly. Outside of Ho Chi Minh City, the enemy weighs in extremely heavy. They can’t openly worship God. They can’t openly share their faith and beliefs with others. Everything done for the Kingdom must be done behind closed doors. The government knows of the “underground” church, but God’s protection is keeping them from doing anything about it. There is story after story of people being followed by the police, or watched very closely…or jailed for their actions for the Kingdom. I daily meet people who take that risk though…awesome Vietnamese who are dedicating their lives to spreading the Kingdom to dark places.
I can’t stand it anymore. We all have a responsibility in this matter. The Kingdom has many roles, and we need to find out what ours are. I need to find my role. This year has opened my eyes to many needs in the world…and I can’t go back to living my life for myself anymore. Staring into the faces of women who’s lives have been torn apart by prostitution, men who’s life is so full of shame and hurt, Ka-ren people who drift off to sleep at night fearing whether they will be killed in the night. There isn’t time to waste people! The time is NOW to take part in bringing God’s Kingdom to the hurt, the oppressed, the lost, the hungry, the desperate. Please ask God to reveal to you your place…people TODAY are dying. Find out your reason for being here, don’t waste another day in seeking your purpose!!!!!!
