Defense mechanisms.     How we deal with life.     How we push past pain.     Everyone has them. They build up like walls. They go up unnoticed, slowly growing higher and higher, and thicker and thicker. Before we realize it, the top isn't even visible.  In my case, I honestly didn't realize how thick and tall my walls were until the beginning of this summer. Who knew that getting into an uncomfortable situation full of unknowns could dig up so many different sides of you. God knew.  After a couple of weeks in Thailand, it was made...

I have spent the past 6 weeks in Chiang Mai, Thailand. There are several ministries to partake in but one of my favorites is bar ministry. We go into the red light district and go to a couple bars a night. We typically sit in a bar and order a coke and try to engage in conversation with a girl in sex slavery. Sometimes the conversations are heavy and sometimes they are light. Either way we are there to be their friend and shine some light into the darkness. Something that surprised me most about the bars is that there are children there. The little boys and girls can't go home until they...

9:47pm, Chiangmai, Thailand    There are at least seven different rap songs blaring within earshot. They all blend together and create one single sound, drowning out all voices except for sporadic bursts of drunken laughter. When I listen close enough, I know some of them, creating an odd mix of familiarity and despondency. I breathe through my nose. It smells like green curry and cheap perfume. I remember that I am in Thailand. The tacky fluorescent lights blink in every color, clashing starkly against the darkness of tonight. I can still see their glow when I close my eyes.    ...

Hello from Chiang Mai! We are full-force in ministry now, and happy to report that things are going great! The Lord has been good; we have seen awesome growth within our team as well as great fruit in our outreach here. Just a quick heads up- We are headed on an adventure this week! We are heading out to a couple of the rural villages here in Thailand, working with X-Life (a branch of ministry here with Lighthouse). Our team is splitting into two groups that will be traveling to two different villages to invest there for a few days, working in schools, teaching English, and doing life with...

Hi from Amsterdam! We are so safe and happy, enjoying some rest on a layover in the Amsterdam International Airport. We are currently waiting at our gate to board our connecting flight to Bangkok, Thailand. After this final lengthy flight, we will also enjoy a lengthy bus ride up to Chang Mai before arriving at our home-away-from-home for the summer:) Thank you for continued prayers for safety as we travel. Will be in touch in the coming days! Love, Rachel

My flight was scheduled to arrive in Toronto on the 26th of this month.  As the title says, my plans have changed… About a month ago, my teammate Lauren told us that she felt like God was telling her to stay in Thailand for the month of December. She also said she knew she would not be staying by herself. She asked us to be praying for her.  We did.  I did.  Not a big deal, right? Well, the more she talked about it, the more I felt in my gut that I would be the one staying with her. But I didn't say anything, to anyone. I don't know why, but I...