Yep it’s true; I am now on team number 3 for the World Race! And this time I’m a team leader, crazy pants! This month we are in Thailand and because this month has a huge focus on the sex trade we’ve actually been split up men from women. For this our squad created temporary teams for the month and rose up new leaders. The men are super pumped about MANistry (which I imagine involves digging holes and killing their own food to cook over a fire but I could be wrong) and I can say I am equally super pumped for WOMANistry, which will not include any of the above mentioned.
So my team met and we shared our vision for Thailand. We knew we would be doing something with the sex trade and realized that God had put the men who participate on some of our hearts. Being woman we have NO idea what it would look like to minister to them but we know that the only way they are going to stop their actions are through the love of God and so we decided we wanted to strive to show them God’s love and grace. So our team name is: Grace in Yo Face (also because rhyming is fun and to everyone else it’s Grace in Your Face).
So here’s my teammates so you can blog stalk them too:
GINNY
I get to keep Ginny!! Woo Hoo!! They tried to keep us new leaders with our finance people so we wouldn’t have to worry about learning all the ins and outs of team finance but that’s not even why I’m pumped to be with her again! She’s compassionate, empathetic (which will be super useful this month) and she calls me up without batting an eye!
KAYLA
I spent Romania with this girl and she is incredible! She prays like she breathes—effortlessly! I am so excited to learn and grow from her example! (and to be confident that our team and ministry is covered in prayer!)
KARALINE
There is no one quite like Karaline! I’ve only been her team leader officially for a day but she’s already been honoring and preferring me like crazy this week! She’s also full of energy and will keep us going when we get tired!
ALLISON
Allison is a force to be reckoned with when it’s worship time! She plays the guitar, she sings and she dances like there’s no one there but her and God! I know she is going to lead us into some awesome times of worship!
MINISTRY
So that’s my team! Super pumped! And I’m super pumped for ministry too! We will be in Phuket (anyone watch the Bachelorette?!?! They totally went there!)
It’s incredibly beautiful, incredibly touristy and incredibly filled with men, women and children who are enslaved in the sex trade. We will be working with SHE ministry. Here’s brief synopsis from their website:
SHE (Self Help and Empowerment) is a Christian charity committed to helping women and children at risk in Thailand, many of whom are trapped in the commercial sex trade. SHE is dedicated to providing employment, vocational training and counseling for women who want to help themselves out of this industry. All proceeds go directly to helping them find employment, community, friendship, restoration, and above all restoration of their own value…visiting teams spend most nights building relationships with women working in the hundreds of bars in Phuket, Thailand. Once a relationship is established after a few visits, Mark & Sharon share the vision of SHE with the women and let them know that there is a way out: they can have a salaried job making jewelry with SHE if they are interested. The only condition of employment is that they must quit their job at the bar completely.
And lastly, this is from an email our contact sent us:
But as of now, be praying for strengthened spirits as you prepare to
minister in the red light districts during the night time. The area is
a very dark place and the enemy has a stronghold on it. You will come
face to face with the spirit world once you step into the area. Our
goal is to break that stronghold and shed Christ's light throughout
all the bars in the area.
So please be in prayer for us this month as we try and bring God’s light, love and grace to Phuket!
