So much has happened since my last blog entry. Since then, I've traveled to Laos to renew my visa, got a meaningful tattoo to mark my experience here, went on the last team retreat to Ko Samet island, survived the Red Shirt riots, and then I GOT ENGAGED! It's crazy thinking about the unknown things we face in life. I have been thinking about my 25th year of life and how it has been full of the unknown. When I first came to Thailand I had know idea what to expect. I needed to just trust the Lord and then along the way unexpected surprises came. The Christian life is like that, its full of uncertainty and unknown seasons, but when our eyes are fix on Christ it is full of surprises that open us up to new chapters that God has in store!
Lately, I've been thinking about this new chapter here in Thailand. Alot of changes are taking place right now. The team is officially ending June 1st, everyone is going back home, and Tim and Amy (the Field Directors) will leaving for the States to raise more support. So I will be staying here with one intern and the two women we are caring for. We have alot of responsibility on our shoulders, since our Field Directors will gone. Plus, Monicah will be having her baby this month. The due date is June 28th! Anyhow, as I close up my time with my teammates and as they prepare to go back home, and as I continue to work with the women in our home, I have alot of thoughts and prayer requests.
(this is a view from my taxi of the riots)
First, continue to pray for peace in Thailand. Most of the rioting has ended but pray for healing in the land. There was about 80+ people who were killed in the riots. Pray for spiritual and political restoration in Thailand. Secondly, pray for Leah and Monicah. They are going to have to say their good-byes to the team and it will be hard for them to have a quiet home. Also pray that Leah and Monicah can adjust to new changes (the baby coming, and a possible job opportunity for Leah). Pray that they will be able to make healthy choices while the Field Director's are away.
On a personally note please be praying for me this summer as I extend my internship. Pray for strength and wisdom, most of all pray for my motivation to be completely because of Christ, not motivation based on serving man. Pray also for me as I prepare to come back to FL in July. I have been thinking alot about reverse culture shock and my responsibility to still advocate for the poor even when I am back in America. In one of my blog entries I wrote about the quote that says, "Ignorance is Bliss." Since being here in Thailand I am not ignorant of suffering and poverty...I have seen way to much pain and I have a responsibility to lift up those who are oppressed no matter where I am in the world. And that should be true of all believers, we all have unique calling and responsibility to bring freedom to least of these. Jesus says, "what you have done to the least of these you have done it unto me." And on the flip side what we don't do for the least of these, we don't do for Christ. That is a sobering thought, let that sink in. I don't want to stand before Christ and have Him say in his gentle loving way, "why didn't you clothe me, feed me when I was hungry, or take care of me when I was sick."
O Lord move us to serve you and your people! Help me to respond to the cries, don't let us by ignorant of the reality of suffering! One last closing thought and verse that has shaped my time here is Isaiah 61. Isaiah says, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and to open the prison to those who are bound!"
God move us, help us run recklessly to your calling!
