//Russia & Thailand//
I did not expect; as we loved and traveled throughout Thailand I would meet so many Russian people. Because my team was in bigger tourist cities (my last blog shared about working with a church, prayer walks and bar ministry-those stuck in prostitution or trafficking.) we ran into western tourists; go figure! And basically all, well a lot of the ones I connected with spoke Russian.
While we were in Bangkok we couch surfed (google it) at a church and during our free day my team left to go shopping and explore the city. Part of my heart wanted to rest and to chill. Another part of me did not want to miss out on things my new team was doing together. As I sat on a mat contemplating I took this seemingly simple decision to the Lord. I felt the Lord directing me to do neither of the before said options. He said, “walk with me” so I didn’t chill in the AirCon or go with my team and I went on a walk in the city. During those moments walking I saw the city in a new way. I was singing a song of praise to the Lord and it was as though the streets around echoed with that song. Children running, grandmas sitting, vendors shouting, motos and their blaring horns; all of it. And I heard the Lord say, “these people don’t belong here, they belong with me.”
As I walked back to the church with my street food and a prayer heavy on my heart I was greeted by three Russian friends. I sat and began to eat and felt the Lord say, “share with them.” As I offered my food to them the friends multiplied but the Lord did a little miracle and multiplied my food too! In broken sentences we shared our stories and when I began to talk about Jesus one of the guys said, “Oh, you are a Christian. Tyler the guy who is owner he told us about Jesus.” As he finished two crazy children came running into the room shouting in a Russian and English hybrid. A few couples followed through the door. It was time for the churches weekly Bible study. Singing old church songs with the nations is something my soul will never tire of. Some of my new found friends left after songs but the rest of us began to study Revelation. Old and young, Christian and non-Christian; opened up the word of God looking for something, looking to be found by their Creator. A missionary couple in the church (the husband from Colorado and wife from Russia) were able to tag team a study that revived our souls and shared the gospel of hope!
This is me, “Jesus I am in Thailand, I am praying for Thailand, the high places that need to come down and Thai people. But I keep praying with Russians! God what are you doing? You are up to more incredible things than I could imagine.”
I am reminded time and time again that we think we know, (well, mostly everything) and we like to plan as far a head as we can and not be wrong. As I continue to run after Jesus I realize I really don’t know anything and I am always doing different and better things than what I planned. This is the abundant life. So if you find yourself in Thailand wanting to pray for Thai people and rescue girls from trafficking but you are praying for transformation and new life in Russian young adults; you realize God’s love is for all people is greater than you can fathom! AND He has made a way to communicate in English to westerners who are traveling kinda like you. Just add Jesus and a miracle will begin to happen not only in their hearts but yours as well.
“I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
Acts 2:25-28
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