I don’t know where to begin. Basically Jesus has been rocking my world, but I am still processing so I will save that stuff for another blog…I know you all will be on the edge of your seats until then!
So lets get down to the fun stuff! You might be asking what the heck am I doing in Thailand with a team of 17 other girls that I just met for the entire summer?!
……Well here it is: we are working with an organization called Lighthouse in Action in a city in Northern Thailand called Chiang Mai! Lighthouse is an AMAZING ministry that seeks to reach the people of Thailand. This is their mission:
“To eradicate the commercial sex trade in Chiang Mai, and see the Thai people choose abundant life through Jesus, as we show them His truth and love through our actions. We want to see them spread this Truth like a wildfire across the nation, and beyond.”
UM SO COOL RIGHT?! We are so honored to be partnering with this ministry run by an amazing woman named Emmi…like actually though she is the coolest.
Just for the record, Thailand is less than 1% Christian and about 97% Buddhist. Just let that sink in.
Anyway, now you’re probably wondering how we accomplish this… Well, I, Emma T. Florin, will let you in on a little secret- WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING! But the Lord absolutely can.
This summer we are spending A LOT, and by a lot I mean NUMEROUS hours a day, seeking Jesus’ heart for this city. In the mornings we do prayers walks around the city, and in the afternoons we minister to His sons and daughters.
We are ministering to a variety of different people in this city by building authentic and raw relationships. We have the opportunity to reach students our own age at a local community college. The hope is that these students will come to know the love of our Father and have a lasting impact on their own country.
We also have the privilege of ministering to the girls and ladyboys that work in the commercial sex trade and the men that buy these women night after night in the Red Light District. These people are stuck in bondage and lies and deceit and many of them have no hope. However, we know that our God is GOOD and He is ready to win His children back.
Finally, will be going to a nearby village to minister to the Thai villagers. Many of the children that are being trafficked to Chiang Mai come from local villages and slums. We will be going to the slums to play with the kids and hopefully get to know their families. It is our prayer that these people will come to know Jesus and that these patterns that have existed for generations will be broken!
So now that you know what we are doing, please pray for us! Pray that the relationships that we will be fostering will help lead this dark and broken place into the Light. Also pray that the bondage of the commercial sex trade and Buddhism will be broken!! Join us in claiming this area for the Lord!!!
If you want to know more about Emmi and Lighthouse visit their website: www.lighthouseinaction.org
P.S. Sawadee Ka means 'hello' in Thai and it's really fun to say!!
