Heading to Laos I really didn’t know what to expect! But what I found was super special, and I’m grateful that God sent me there for December/Christmas. 
The Jewels were scheduled to work at a coffee house (yes, again), but upon arrival it was no longer open because some police officers had come and caused it to shut down, being aChristian business. So instead we found ourselves teaching English, leading a bible study at a bible school, and working with Seniors in the community.
Sometimes ministry looked like teaching English to college students and monks! We had creative ability to come up with the English lessons, although sometimes we followed the lesson plan. Other times it looked like doing traditional Laos dancing with Senior citizens, and then teaching them the Macarena…yes the Macarena is ministry people…ha ha! We also had a reading event and told bible stories to young children which was super cool.
It was an interesting month of ministry to say the least, and I loved it! My favorite part of ministry was when a monk in my class asked why Americans celebrate Christmas. He asked and so I answered…”it’s because of Jesus!” Even though Laos is a closed country, it honestly didn’t feel like it too much to me. Another one of my favorite moments was when we “snuck” a bible lesson into our English lesson. I shared the story of the prodigal son with my English class, a I believe that God used that word to plant a seed in someone’s heart that night. Asmentioned, we also taught a bible study at a Bible school that was located on a farm called “Garden of Hope.” Each week we worshiped and shared testimonies, taught bible study, and heard the stories of these amazing men
that want to be equip to share the Gospel in a land that closed off to it. These young men had gone through so much to be able to study there for 2 years, and it was humbling to hear their stories, and connect with them.
Every part of Laos was beautiful, but my favorite
part of the month was the heart of worship that I
found in the young believers there. The church members were young, and some of them were missionaries from Korea, and the Philippines. It was really cool to be among so many young
people that passionately chase after the Lords presence. We had worship on Fridays and God’s presence was heavy in that place. I was blessed by the hearts of these people that truly adored their Lord, and I believe God has raised up a generation that will change Laos! The people I met there were incredibly passionate, and I know God will use them for great things!
God put me right where I needed to be in December. He had done so much of my heart coming into Laos, and He completed what He started while I was there, and it was in the worship with my brother and sisters there that so much came forth. Thank you Laos for being apart of my journey, and leading me back into the heart of worship. I miss you all & thank God for you continually.
