Big Picture Perspective

Hey friends! Please forgive my long overdue update. It absolutely blows my mind that my time here in Thailand is already half way completed. The weeks and months since I have been here are flying by so quickly and has been full of joy, challenges, laughter, submission, growth, new experiences, and tears of gladness as well as tears of sadness.

By reading April’s last post, you know that she unexpectedly returned back to the states in order to be with her family through the death of her grandpa. Within less than 24 hours she was gone and having to face the death of her beloved Paw Paw. Even though April’s departure took place so abruptly it was so clear that going home to Louisiana is exactly what needed to happen, but naturally my mind started to ask God the tough questions. Why does she have to go through this pain again? Why now? Why were we called to Thailand together? How can I support my sister through this across the world? And so on. My questions came from a place of confusion and my heart was breaking for her, but through all of it I have had such an overwhelming peace that can only be given from my Heavenly Father.

It just so happened, the next few days were a time of mid-debrief where my team and I were able to relax, be poured into, and reflect on how God has been moving over the first 2 months. During that time I was able to process and examine the Lord’s heart for myself, my team, and the people of Thailand. It was also a time to gratefully praise Him for the evidences of grace that have been all around me.

Recently, the thing God has been speaking to me most about is TRUST. Do I really trust Him enough to follow where He is leading me? This last week God gently reminded me that my perspective is very small in comparison to His limitless point of view.

Even though I love the work I am doing here on Bangla there are days that are exhausting both physically and spiritually. Sometimes it can be hard to see the effectiveness of our work. However, I know that it’s not my position to try and figure everything out, but rather walk in obedience daily and trust the Lord’s heart.

With that being said, God really has been working in big and mysterious ways! For example, a few of the girls on my team (including April) befriended a male bar promoter that lives with a few of the bar girls. Skipping over the details, their introduction opened the door for him to pass along SHE’s ministry information to his roommates, and come April 1^st one of the bar girls will be leaving her current occupation and joining the SHE staff! This is a huge praise!!!!!

Prayer Requests:
– Dates! Our desire is to pursue friendships outside of the bars. Please pray for the discernment in taking the steps to do so.
– Jasmine Bar II is one of the bars my team has gained much favor with! Not only have we connected with the bar girls, but the bar tender and bar owners too. Every night we visit there is a plethora of smiles and laughter exchanged! Please join us in seeking God for the opportunity to partake in deeper friendships and share Jesus with our dear friends.
– Team unity and strength/energy to continue to press in to what God has for us here in   Thailand
– Heaven come to earth!  I desire to see the people on Bangla experience freedom and hope in Christ. Please ask to God speak and work in radical ways so that He is glorified on Bangla.