T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring…not even a mouse…
Wait.
Did I say a house?
I meant to say…
T’was the night before Christmas and all through the bamboo huts, racers were stirring…and I think there is a mouse.
When I signed up for the July route, I knew that I would be gone over Christmas. At the time, I thought I would be spending this Christmas, in Mozambique Africa. However, in true World Race forum of ‘being flexible’, ou(R) squad had yet another route change. It was no longer ‘I will be spending Christmas in Mozambique” but rather, “spending Christmas in Thailand!”
This past month, has been the hardest, yet most rewarding month thus far on the race. It has been a month that has forever shaped, and changed me. I have seen things that I have only seen through a Hollywood movie and heard about on the news. I have walked down a place, filled with evil, greed, lust, despair and pure brokenness. A place were men can buy a women at a price, were lady boys dance as people stare on, while at risk women dance in boxes, and on poles, across the street. The families who take their young kids down a street that is filled with R rated sights and sounds, I will never understand.
It is a place of pure evil.
And, the term “hell on earth” has taken on a whole new meaning to me.
Yet there is hope.
Hope literally glitters on the back of a hat of a stranger, as my team enters that pit of hell for one last night of ministry.
I am reminded of why God has me here in Thailand, this holiday season. As people back at home, are buying last minute gifts, wrapping presents, and gathering together with loved ones, I will be spending it with two other squad mates, who have become like family. Only, we won’t be buying or wrapping gifts, or enjoying the sights and sounds of Christmas Eve at our respective homes.
Instead, we are choosing to be down a street that consist of pure evil.
Our purpose for going, is to bring hope to the loss. To bring the light that came into this world many years a go in a lowly stable. As we walk on the street, people will know we are different. They will see the light of this world, shine brightly through us. I am not expecting a huge miracle, or a glamorous show. I simple want to be willing. I want Jesus to be my Guide and my Light tonight, and for the rest of my life. I want people to be able to ‘see’ Jesus simply by looking at me. I want people to know the One True King simply through my actions. I want people to know that there IS freedom. I want people to know that Christmas is only the start of the greatest story ever to happen. To know that when Jesus said “It is finished”, it really is finished. I want people to know that they are free. They are forgiven. They are royalty and that they were bought at the ultimate price, through Jesus and His blood because of the mighty love He has for them.
Over the next few days, as you gather together with your families around the Christmas tree and Christmas day meal, send up a prayer for freedom for those ‘at risk’ in Thailand. For those women at risk, whom I have had the privilege of meeting this month. Pray for Thailand.
Freedom has come. The time is now.
Reign Jesus Reign.
Just wanted to send a quick shout out to my family at home!! Missing ya’ll. Corey-could you please bug Darcy for me. Carina- please make sure the boys don’t hurt each other! Darcy, would you please eat lots of food for me and enjoy the ‘barbie’ that is waiting for you under the tree!!!!! Dad, don’t forget to make up a treasure hunt and to remember it is okay to rip open the wrapping paper! That is half the fun! Mom, two words…HAVE FUN!! Seriously, relax, enjoy, eat food and don’t worry about me! I give you full permission to forget about me for the day! Enjoy those around you and simply soak in every moment God has blessed you with!
Thank you family, for everything. You mean the world to me!
I love you guys!
