I’ve realized I have done a lot of complaining recently and haven’t told you at all about Thailand. I need to apologize for my last two blogs of homesickness and doubt, but also thank you for your prayers while I went through that. I went head to head again with choosing God over my own narrow minded thinking of “self preservation.” Basically thinking I could find security/comfort/contentment in a paycheck, in a job, in a place. Praise the Lord He won and has bigger things in store for me. I’ve come out on the other side of this doubt blown away again by God’s grace and provision even amongst my weaknesses. His grace really is sufficient.
God is just too funny sometimes. I apologized to my team and told them I’ll be staying for as long as God has me here and the next day my support account jumped from needing $2650 to $1200 and within 2 weeks it is now down to needing $139.30 HOLY CRAP! In that same day I received word from the Philippines that the amputation for my friends toe took place and he is already home with enough funds to help support him during recovery. “Freely I have received…”
God provides.
This whole month I have been able to see God’s provision at work. Sorry it has taken me so long to sing of His praises. He’s working: In my own life, in the people I’m working with, in the organization overall, and in the children I live with. Sometimes God’s provision can be seen in removal, in cutting away and in other times it’s seen in restoration.
I’ve been living outside of Chaing Mai in Northern Thailand for the last 3 weeks. Working with an organization called Remember Nhu, a home seeking to prevent child sex trafficking. Currently housing 8 boys and 80 girls – ages 18 months to 18 years -the homes have reached capacity and new land has been purchased to continue on this mission.
They have successfully prevented these children from the sex trade by simply offering families another choice: A different option other than supplying their children to the high demand of the sex industry. That is sadly currently happening in Thailand and many other countries, becoming a means to “survival” or a means to satisfy the lust of materialism (in families that sell their child) and sexual appetites (in those that purchase them).
I have been spoiled rotten this month by these girls and the other missionaries that are working at this place. Ranging from pancakes and surprise socks to elephant rides and cultural diners (really just delicious food all the time). I’ve gotten to sleep in the rooms of these girls, celebrate Christmas with their families that came to visit and ring in The New Year. The house parents reek of Christ’s love and many of these children come to Christ because of their example. It’s time for God to take back Thailand and it’s happening with each girl and boy that is prevented into going into the sex trade. Freely I received welcome, love, and hospitality. I was refreshed by brothers and sisters in Christ that are serving there through their generosity, wisdom, and encouragement. It’s seriously been blessing after blessing (future world racers pray you get this contact; appreciate the simple pleasures of life).
On the 22 acres that was purchased to build new homes we have spent many days, while the children are at school, preparing the land for development. The 800 tree orchard of Tamarind and Mango, the food machine for fish and plant growth are all being prepared for the future children homes in hopes to make this place a self sustaining haven for these children.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote of “Do not go where the path my lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” I wonder if he ever knew that people would take the literal meaning of this in a Thailand jungle finding more fruit trees with push mowers? Blazing trails in towering grass and thorns, with unknown hidden stumps, holes, and branches and in the looming threat of snakes. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to take part in the small things done for Jesus. Picking Tamarind, mowing, laying concrete, falling trees, painting fences the ladies team rocked it with manual labor this month.
I’ve seen the need for both short term and long term missionaries. What can be done when the body of Christ unites and Rises Up against the darkness. How long term missions rely on short term teams to do the projects they don’t have time for and reach the people in new ways that they were unable to before others came. God desires to use all parts of His body and its beautiful seeing the partnerships that are forming around the world.
When the girls came home at the end of the day we were there to met them. I’m convinced there is so much wisdom that comes from the mouths and actions of children. So far every month God’s placed them in abundance in my path. There is much more to learn from them. Jesus said:”Let the Children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom Of God.” (Mark 10:14-15)
However we have left Thailand are now in Cambodia. This month I’m in the middle of rice patties in a small farming community working with Teen Challenge. I’m at the women’s site that was recently started up in Cambodia with 6 women and a preschool for their children. I’m asking for vision and patience as I learn to be a teacher for preschoolers (no small task). What can be done in a country with <2% Christian and I’m placed by all appearances in the middle of nowhere. I have already found myself being given a large amount of free time realizing how much initiative we will need to incorporate into our daily lives. The woman and their children are the main ministry this month but I’ve been drawn outside of our compound more and more. I’m asking for new eyes to see this community and a spirit to seize the day, Because Freely I’ve have been given, so freely I will give.
Loves from Cambodia.
Thank you to all my partners in this, I don’t understand it but I accept it…we can be friends:)
Please continue to pray for the many on my squad that still need to be fully funded.
