It’s beginning to feel a little bit like Christmas in Thailand, though going to the beach doesn’t really help. Chances of a white Christmas are looking pretty slim. I guess I haven’t really posted the general update stuff, though we’ve already been in Thailand for over a week. Sorry ’bout that. At least skip to the bottom for a quick FINANCIAL UPDATE.
This month the entire squad is in Phuket, Thailand, working with SHE – “Self Help and Empowerment.” From their website: “SHE 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.” It’s certainly shaping up to be an incredible month, and a perfect example how World Race teams can come alongside and extend the work of an existing ministry, planting seeds that will continue to be persistently watered as we’re off on the plane to Africa. From 1-5pm we have a variety of duties, helping girls make jewelry or other jobs around SHE, doing manual labor on a new property that will eventually be the site of a new training center, or going down to the bars to prayer walk.
As night falls on Patong Beach, its identity is really revealed as one of the top destinations for sex tourism. Our contact pretty accurately described Patong to us as “the pit of hell…built on the exploitation of people. If you’re not there for ministry, you really ought to be asking yourself why you’re there.” Each night, Monday-Saturday, about half our squad breaks into smaller teams and goes down to Banglar Road, a small stretch housing 200+ bars and well over 1000 prostitutes on any given night. Our primary goal is to meet and build relationships with the girls working in the bars, loving on them and ideally talking to them about the freedom and hope that is offered through SHE, and ultimately Christ. The other half of the squad hangs back at the base, interceding on behalf of our squadmates and the girls (and guys) in the bars that night. It is heavy work indeed, but God is definitely doing a work in this city through this ministry. With that in mind, please by PRAYING for our work this month – this land is a battlefield.
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
-Luke 4:18-19
FINANCIAL UPDATE
To my great surprise, my remaining account balance has been dramatically reduced to a measly $262.75!! I want to thank everybody who has given already – I am humbled by your willingness, and truly hope that I have been a blessing to you through my updates. As I quickly approach that point of being fully funded, I wanted to ensure that anybody desiring to give any Christmas gifts could direct that generosity where it would be most appreciated. The ultimate deadline is not until March 15th, but by monthly pledges I am looking to be fully funded in no time at all – praise the Lord! We just passed the deadline for $10,000 (of the $14,300 total) as of Dec. 15th. There are still some of my squadmates and teammates with a long way to go on their trek towards being fully funded, so I invite you, if you are still looking to contribute to the work God is doing on my World Race squad, to consider giving to them. Tara and Janell on my team have just met the $10k deadline, but still have a ways to go until they’re fully funded. More urgent needs on the squad include Nikki, Chris, Adam, and Jeannie – many of their blogs offer better insight into their current financial status. Of course, if you have any more specific Christmas gift-giving desires, we can talk and work something out.
Thank you all again SO MUCH, I honestly could not be here without you and your support of every kind. I’m honored and blessed to get such a glimpse of the body working together for the cause of Christ.
