There have been so many specific occurrances that God has taught me through, so many faces that I've seen Him in, a couple bouts of illness that He held me in, and He's taken care of me with His beautiful right on time provision when I didn't even know how needed it was at the time. And that just goes to show, I can be totally oblivious to my needs, but God sees them and He takes care of me. Like the way, "the birds do not plant or harvest or store food in barns, for our Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't we far more valuable to Him than they are?"
One thing that stands out from this past month is when I went to Wat Phro, a Buddhist temple, on Makha Bucha- a major Buddhist holiday which just so happens to be on February 14th, Valentine's Day. I decided a major Buddhist holiday was a good day to go to a temple and worship Jesus and pray for Thailand. I think shifting atmospheres and bringing God's presence into dark places is super important and more powerful than what we can merely see. As I walked around, my heart broke for the Buddhists, and really for people who worship any idols. How sad to give offerings and bow down in reverence to things that, "have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear." But as my heart broke for them, I also was overcome with gratitude that I know my God and He has a mouth, and He does speak to me. He has eyes and He does see me. He has ears and He does hear me- every prayer, every utterance, and even every thought. My time at Wat Phro was such an unforced blend of intercession and worship.
One thing I saw there that was interesting was there were little idols that the people were covering with little gold squares. I don't really know the religious significance of that, but it's so opposite of our relationship with Christ. These people have to cover their gods to make them attractive. They take something dull, like a piece of wood, and make something beautiful. But Jesus is the total opposite. He is beauty Himself. He's everything and He's alive. And He takes us when were dead and dull and He makes us into something beautiful and He covers us with His righteousness. And our love is more pleasing to Him than burnt offerings! What a God!
Another thing that really stuck out from the past month was something that happened just last week. I was in a "sii law", a mode of public transportation, when a middle eastern family got in and the man sat down next to me. We greeted each other and then he asked me where I'm visiting from. I told Him America and then he said, "Are you a missionary? I think you're a missionary." Which was funny because I hadn't said anything that would lead him to think that. I shortly explained to him what I'm doing here and then he began telling me his story. He told me that he is also Christian, but he is from a country where Christians are persecuted. He would help other Christians back home, too, but his situation became life threatening, so he and his family came to Thailand as refugees of religious persecution. He asked me to keep him and his family in my prayers and I also got to pray for him right there. I would love it if you would join me in lifting up this family and all I our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Meeting this man deeply impacted me and his unwavering faith is inspiring.
February didn't necessarily go as I expected, but God makes all things work together for our good according to his will. He truly brought purpose to every situation. A lot of what I planned to do this past month was cancelled, but God knew that would happen and He still told me to come to Thailand, so I don't need to sweat that! His plans prevail even if mine don't. Probably especially when mine don't. And now looking back, I see His divine purpose in everything that dd and did my happen.
Those are just a few thing that happened this past month. In March I will no longer be taking Thai classes, so I will have a bit more free time during the day. I plan on continuing an art therapy class I go to on Wednesdays, going on outreaches to the bars and brothels three nights a week, and also spending more time in temples praying, interceding, and worshipping Jesus. In March I will also have to make a visa run to Cambodia, which probably won't last as long as my last run to Laos. I also have been praying about making a trip to Pattaya, another city in Thailand that is majorly known for the sex industry there. I have felt god leading me to go there there has been cofirmation through different people and things. I'm not sure when I'll go or how long I'll stay, but I do think I will be going there this month.
Thanks for all your prayers and support! God does such an amazing job of taking care of His children, and on this trip I've learned just how sweet and right on time encouragement from brothers and sisters can be. So to anyone who prays for me or sends me encouragement, I am so so grateful! Please also remember to lift up the nation of Thailand (especially now while political situations are shifting), all people involved in the sex industry, and the family I met that fled persecution.
We have the best Dad in the whole world and I am so happy to be his daughter and your sister!
No comments:
Post a Comment