(This is the street I live on and this a normal meal)

(My Thai friend, Nam Fon. She teaches us Thai and goes on Outreach with us)

I can't believe how fast time goes by in Thailand!! It has been over a month and a half since we've opened our house up to two women who were in need. The women that have been staying with us have horrific stories- from being sent to work at the age of 16, from being deceived, sold, and forced to leave their country to work. My dear friends stories are hard to hear but I see that God is in the midst of their lives. He has brought them to our home so that they can begin to heal. Their names are Leah and Monicah.*

Since Leah and Monicah have come to live in our home, so much has happened! I now have two close friends who have taught ME so much about hope and perseverance! These women have been through so much hardship, but through it all they both have sparkling brown eyes that choose to smile despite the pain of the past. Since they've come to live with us, they have just started the beginning stages of healing.

The first week in our home, Leah told me in her broken English and Asian accent, "Before I come here, I cry everyday! I cry in morning, I cry in night. But now, that I have a new home. No cry anymore!" My heart melted listening to her open up! How beautiful- after all these years of pain, she finally feels like she has a home! And Monicah tells me almost everyday, that we are her "new" family now!

As I think about Leah and Monicah, it is so humbling to be apart of these beginning stages of their healing. Getting the chance to point them to a God who is intimate, who understands and loves them just as they are, is such an honor. In these beginning stages, my prayer is that Leah and Monicah truly believe that they ARE known, that they do BELONG and that they are deeply LOVED!

Actually, about 6 months ago Monicah came a believer. She is beginning to see these truths and understand that she now, truly belongs because of Christ! It's actually an amazing story how she found Jesus. Jesus came to her in a dream!

She has told me her dream many times and I still listen in amazement each time. Monicah comes from a Hindu/Buddist background. Evil spirits and spiritual oppression is all she knew before. Monicah saw good and evil through the eyes of Hindism and Buddism, she therefore placed Jesus in the mix with all the other spirits and gods. However, one night as Monicah was going to bed she had a dream. In her dream she said, she saw a man dressed in all white, shining and full of beauty. He told her that he was her true Husband. He bent down to touched her hands and said whispered, "Follow me." Then he touched her cheek gently and said, "Don't look back, don't worry about your family. Just follow me!" She said, she felt overwhelmed with peace and love. She told me, when she woke up the next morning her fear was gone. She knew she was never going to be the same again. She said to me, "Bekah....I meet Jesus that night."

Since I have been here in Thailand, I have heard many stories like this, of people coming to know Jesus through dreams. It's beautiful, because Jesus speaks every language! I can be encouraged, that when I can't explain Him in their language, HE can explain HIMSELF!

As far as language goes, Leah and Monicah know a little bit of English so we are able to communicate. As an Intern, my responsibilities are providing home care for them. This includes shopping at the street markets, providing meals, going with them to refugee/hospital appointments, doing art therapy, and just having the ministry of presence in their lives.

Prayer requests:

Please be praying for Monicah and Leah when you think of them. Leah especially needs prayer. Leah is a precious women, with a strong, spunky heart! She does not realize how much Jesus loves her, so please pray that her eyes will be open to the King. Leah has had so much hurt in her life, fear is still in her eyes. Please pray that the Lord will heal her, set her free from fear, and that she will welcome His presence!

Also, please pray for our team. We are leaving for Cambodia March 20 - April 1 to renew our visas. We will also be serving the street kids and young women in a care center. Pray for safety and guidance as we serve. Pray for vision as we go to Cambodia. WMF is hoping to start a new field, this trip will hopefully give us vision for the Cambodian children and women!

( * names were changed to respect privacy)