Swadee Ka! = Hello in Thai
We ate pad thai in the markets, frequented fruit stands (some of the best fruit I’ve ever had in my life!), walked through countless markets that sell anything you could ever imagine, worshipped on the rooftop together, rode together for hours in a taxi with a lost taxi driver, laughed through major language barriers, got stuck in a torrential downpour in the middle of the city for atleast 30 minutes (we are all SOAKED by the end), and prayer walked as a squad through one of the biggest temples in the city.
During this time we also had to say goodbye to our dear squad leaders- Tara and Robby. Each world race, 2 squad leaders are sent out who have done the race previously. They stay with the squad for the first 4 months to help with everything. During this time, with much prayer, they raise up 2 new leaders from within the squad to lead us for the remainder of the race- Krissy and Auston. It was definitely a bittersweet time and sad to say goodbyes- I will miss the guidance, wisdom, and laughs that Tara and Robby poured out over our squad. I am so thankful that they took the time to invest in our lives and lead us to the place we are at- seriously..they are amazing!
After our 4 days in Bangkok, we took a 14 hour overnight bus ride to the southern part of Thailand. Our ministry site for the month is located in Phuket. We are working with an amazing organization called SHE (Self Help and Empowerment). They are committed to helping women and children who are trapped in the commercial sex trade here in Thailand. SHE provides a safe place for them to come and learn a new way of life. They equip and give them the necessary training to support themselves whether that be through making jewelry, tablecloths, cards, cooking (chocolate and cookies), or training them to work hospitality jobs in hotels or serving food in local restaurants. SHE also offers English classes as well.
Altogether there are 20 girls here from the World Race- 2 teams from M-Squad and 2 teams from N-Squad (my squad). We are staying in the SHE house where these girls come to work everyday and live from time to time. Our roles this month include:
– Going into the bars of the Red Light District and building friendships with these girls and showing them what the love of Christ looks like
– Going to lunch/getting coffee with girls that we form relationships with to get to know them away from the bars
– Eventually, we share with them about SHE ministries and how they can get a job there, instead of working in the bars, selling their bodies
– Helping around the house with odds and ends that need to be met
– Prayer walks during the day through the streets and bars that we go to each night
– Intercessory prayer
Being here is completely different than anything that I have ever seen or experienced. This place is the sex tourism capital of the world- it is heart breaking to see all the different people here starving for something to fill the empty void in their lives. Please be praying for boldness in my teammates and I, divine appointments, God’s light to shine through each of us as we make our way into such darkness each night, and for strength and energy as much of our ministry takes place from 9pm-3am.
When your day is starting at home in the States around 7am, my night of ministry is just beginning. Please commit to pray for our team each morning when you wake up- your prayers would be appreciated so much!
