Work Day

It's a quarter to 7pm and I'm exhausted! We had such a full day today I don't even know where to begin!  This morning we woke up bright and early, about 5am and after breakfast we attended a 2 hour orientation to ZOE.

 I've known ZOE for a little over 2 years now and have heard many of the stories about what they are doing here in Thailand, but I have to say, after listening to Carol Hart talk about how God has blessed their ministry and how He has changed the lives of so many kids here in Thailand, I was practically in tears.  What a testimony!  Soon after, we loaded up into vans and headed to the current ZOE house (they are moving to their new property in about a week!).

Our job for today was to assemble 1500 goodies bags (yes, 1500! that's not a typo!) that we will be handing out to the kids we will be ministering to over the next week.  Each bag was filled with 6 food items, tied and put into giant rice bags in groups of 60.  It took 24 people 2 hours to do this and we were tired and sweaty when we were done :)

We then spent some time rehearsing our outreach program and fine tuning any last minute details, just in time for all the ZOE kids to come home from school.  There were around 150 kids ranging in age from about 4 to 20 waiting in the big room to greet us and man, what a greeting we got!  When we walked in it was all cheers, applause and hugs from every one of them!

I've never felt such a warm welcome in my life!  Once eveyone settled down, we each introduced ourselves to the group and lead them in a couple of kids worship songs - so much fun! The next hour or so was spent in a get-to-know-you game and we had fun trying to communicate with one another as we learned a little bit about each other.


And so now, we're back at the hotel and most are showering the days work off of themselves and heading out to dinner. Tomorrow we drive to a hill tribe village about 5 hours away where we will spend the weekend doing outreach.

There will be no internet access until we return to the city on Monday so I'll have to do this old school for a couple of days and keep a handwritten journal, which of course I'll type and upload on Monday evening =)

Please pray for our outreach this weekend - that God will use us to reach the unreached.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." ~ James 1:27

We've arrived!

I sort of figured my first entry in this blog after we got here would be about silly things like how long it took to get here (long) or how the weather is (hot and humid) or what our accommodations are like (much nicer than expected).  But instead, as I sit here in the hotel room in Chiang Mai, my thoughts are filled with the book I just read – The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam.

This is a heart breaking autobiography of a Cambodian girl sold into prostitution.  I cannot describe the atrocities that have been committed against her and other girls she encounters – some as young as 6 years old – and my mind swims with the thoughts of how deep is the depravity of a lost world.  On the second flight over here I was sitting next to an older, single, retired man from the US who flies to Thailand twice a year for vacation and I couldn’t help but wonder what his real motives were.  I don’t mean to be judgmental; I’m just being honest here.

Our journey so far has been uneventful and even fun at times and I have to remind myself often that I’m not here on vacation.  I guess it was a good thing to read the book I did on the way over to remind me of why we’re really here. I’m overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem of human trafficking and if I think about it too much it becomes paralyzing.  I have to remember that I alone cannot save the world and yet that does not excuse me from doing nothing.

We do serve a God however, who is able through all His mighty power that is at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  And so as we begin our journey in Chiang Mai, not sure of how the next 10 days will go, I know that our team goes in the power of the Lord and it’s by His spirit that we will accomplish anything.

So, on a lighter note, here are a couple of pics of some of our team and hotel.

2 Weeks Left!

It's really amazing to me how quickly time seems to pass these days.  We only have 2 weeks left until we leave for Thailand and before I know it, we'll be at the airport filled with the excitement of what's to come!

Most of our preparations for this trip have been completed and as we get ready to embark on this journey I have a few parting thoughts.

What I thank God for

• Providing all the funds needed for the trip!
• Helping the team stay focused on preparing all the programs for the outreach
• The amazing opportunity to share the gospel overseas
• Supportive friends and family

What I pray for

• Safe and uneventful travels
• Team unity
• For God to prepare the hearts and minds of those we will encounter overseas
• Patience, grace and a spirit of humility
• Strength to endure all the hardships (mostly lack of sleep) of this trip (you should see the itinerary!!)
• For Jesus to be glorified in all we say and do on this mission

...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
- Romans 10:13-15

Thailand trip update

Only 1 meeting and 40 days left until we leave!!  I am so excited to go and yet a little overwhelmed at how much we still have to do!  I have 3-4 songs to memorize (including hand movements), a Sunday School lesson to practice, an Origami Heart to learn how to fold and an outreach program to refine and perfect as a group! But I trust that it will all come together in time :)

In addition, God has provided nearly all the funds I need to go!  The last $300 is due next week and I'm sure will be covered.  Praise God for providing so much for all of us going on this short term mission!

"For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.  So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.  Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!" 
- 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Trouble in Thailand

You may or may not have heard of the political troubles plaguing Thailand recently but there has been an increase in the violence surrounding the issues.  So far our plans to go have not changed as we will not be traveling through Bangkok at all.  Also, some of the missionaries that live in Chiang Mai have reported that things there are pretty much staus quo and the uprisings have had little impact on their daily lives.  Of course if things change and there is a real danger to our team we will cancel the trip.

Here is a quote from our team leader:
"We are confident at this time that the July trips planned will continue as scheduled but will continue to monitor the situation.  We trust that Almighty God is taking very good care of us as we do His work in Thailand.   Please continue to pray for the nation and people of Thailand that they will find a peaceful solution to this problem and that revival will take place in the hearts of the people." 

Here is an excerpt of the warning from the US State Dept:
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of ongoing political demonstrations and unrest in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.  Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, including gunfire near the U.S. Embassy, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other incidents throughout Thailand, U.S. citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand.  The Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok.  This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 28, 2010, and is in response to updated information on increased violence and security concerns.  The Department of State recommends against travel to Bangkok and non-essential travel to Thailand at this time."