Life in Bangkok!

This blog is long overdue, but here ya go :) My life was a whirl-wind for a few days. I had just left Australia and my time with Josh was wonderful. We spent a lot of time exploring the Great "Outback"... haha kinda..We went cliff jumping, snorkelling, and visited the Sydney Opera house. It was great catching up with Josh- a very much needed time for us to connect and encourage each other.

I left Australia on December 20th and arrived in Bangkok that night. As I said, my life was quite a whirl-wind. When I arrived, I found out that my luggage got lost somewhere between Melbourne and Bangkok...The airline wasn't quite sure. I told myself it was ok, and I felt the Lord ask me quietly, "Bekah- are you going to trust me when I am literally all you have?" Right away, I had to choose to surrender and let go of my "stuff" and trust that the Lord would provide for my needs- no matter what the outcome. Well....right before Christmas just three days later my luggage arrived!!! It was the perfect Christmas gift! Praise God, He was so gracious!

Christmas was just around the corner when I arrived, so the first few days were spent with Tim and Amy (the missionaries, I am living with) and right away we began organizing and buying gifts for the children who beg in the red light districts. Tim and Amy have done an amazing job at building relationships with the children and women on the streets. When we were organizing the gifts, we counted 53 people that they were in contact with!! My very first Thai Christmas was spent walking around the Red Light Districts passing out gifts, Christmas caroling, and giving roses to the women.

Its hard to describe the feeling of that night...in one aspect we were joyfully celebrating the birth of Jesus, the HOPE of the world... But on the other hand, many of these children and women have never experienced any type of hope- let alone had any reason to celebrate at all. For them, all they have known is suffering and fear. My prayer that night as we walked the streets was that the women and children would get a glimpse of hope, that they would see their value, and encounter Jesus the healer and lover of their souls!

It has been a raw few weeks just taking it in- walking the streets and getting to hear the stories of the women & children. Many times we don't know if the women & children who are begging, are being controlled or watched by someone, so we have to be careful. It is hard not knowing the depth of their stories and situations... Building deep relationships will take time.

On my 2nd week I began language school. I am doing the excelerated program, so I'm in school from 8am-4pm. So far I have not cried yet, I have however embarassed myself. I told my female teacher she was a man. Hahahah, thankfully she didn't kick me out of class! Anyways, language is coming along (slowly) and I am understanding it, but I am just needing to practice it out loud. Thankfully, our Thai neighbors nexts door a wonderful!! They love speaking Thai with me so I am getting lots of practice! Plus ordering thai food on the street markets really helps me catch on!! (that pig eye was sooo good!) HA.

Please be continue to pray for me and language school, also we are leaving to go to India on January 20th. There is a Word Made Flesh conference in Chennai, and we are also spending sometime in Kolkata. Please pray for travelling mercies! Just want to leave you with one last thought and prayer of mine, "Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up" Gal 6:9. My prayer for all of us is that we keep pressing on order to reap what is eternal! Whatever season we are in let's not become weary!

Last Few Moments with Family!

Thailand seems more real to me now that the last few days are approaching. It's hard to believe the time has come for me to go. It amazes me knowing that this journey is something that I have wanted since college and now it is finally here. My passion to serve the women of the red light district grows stronger everyday. I am truly excited to serve them and speak TRUTH into their lives.

As these last few days are approaching, I have made it my goal to enjoy friends and family much as I can...And I have truly felt God's grace during this time....There has been very little stress and lots of FUN! These last few days with family and friends is something I will cheerish deeply. (Especially during the times of loneliness and seeing suffering). My last days have consisted of: praying with friends, hanging out with my middle school small group, laughing with my sisters, eating a huge Thanksgiving dinner, and putting up the Christmas tree (while singing to Mariah Carey's Christmas CD haha). It is exactly what I need- my cup is full! :) Here are some pictures of my last few days. I had to post some pictures of my small group and family! I love you guys!

As I think about this journey ahead and the next 6 months in Thailand, I have truly felt His comfort and presence. I know this is exactly where God wants me to be. I feel that I have entered into a deeper place in my relationship with the Lord. I have felt the sweetness of surrender, and I am truly at a place where I can say"Lord, do whatever you need to in order to get glory...my life is Yours." I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store, I am ready for this adventure.

Many of you have been asking me...How can we be praying? Well here is the first start...Please be praying for:

· Adjusting to new culture and language.
· Safety for the Word Made Flesh team members.
· Boldness going into dark places and speaking truth.
· For the Thai women to embrace Jesus’ love and freedom.
· Protection from the brothel owners & those who do not want us there.
· Comfort in the Lord for the team members while seeing much suffering.
· Freedom for the men seeking prostitutes, pray for their hearts to be changed.
· Health of the team members- physically and spiritually.
· Unity and support among the team members.

Preparing to Leave

I can't believe I leave for Bangkok, Thailand in 2 months. There are times when I feel overwhelmed at the thought of what God has called me to do... For the next 6 months of my life I will be working with women in the red light districts. Many of these women have been forced work there because of poverty, the lack of education/job opportunities, or for some- they were sold into the "business" by their very own families.

As I prepare to move, I feel very small... I am getting ready to enter this journey with hope that God will set captives free, and that truth will be embraced. At times, when I think of the road that is ahead of me, fears slowly crawl in my mind. But despite my fears, I know that truth and love will shine even in the darkest streets of Bangkok. 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." My prayer is that Christ's love will reach the most fearful broken of souls, for they are not far from the loving healing hand of Jesus Christ!

I invite you to follow along with me in this journey. Let me just share how this whole opportunity got started... In college, I became more aware of women working in red light districts- specificially the Asia area. Immediately, I felt a compassionate desire to help these women. I knew, as I sat in that cold building looking down at my 'ole run down sandals' that God was calling me to serve these women. After college I spent two years working at a non-profit, counseling young girls in Florida... My desire to go to Asia never changed though. In February 2009 my heart was aching to leave America and go serve these tender-broken women. With much prayer I applied to work with an organization called Word Made Flesh. When I applied to WMF, I orginially commited to serve for 4 months, from February 2010-June 2010. Just two weeks ago however, I received an email from the Headquarters of WMF and instead of serving from Feb-June, they offered me a 6 month Intern Staff position from December 2009-June 2010. I was completely blown away and thrilled about this new opportunity and the new responsibilities that I would have, if I take the position.

However, with the rush and excitement of the news, I quickly realized and thought to myself, "if I take the position that means I would have to leave.. like...soon....like 2 months earlier! Annnd.. that means that I would have to celebrate Christmas alone in Thailand..without my family." I was very conflicted and troubled at this thought. I didn't want to leave my family for the Holidays, but at the same time this opportunity is what I longed for since college!


So, I took a deep breath-prayed about it...and right away, I was remined of what Jesus said, "If you want to be my disciple you must leave your family and follow me." I knew that this was a clear calling of God- I know that God calls us to hard places, places of sacrifice, places of suffering, but ultimately they are places of growth and joy. I knew I was suppose to take the position and leave early. So I took the offer and now I am getting ready to leave Decemeber 1st!


In addition to being an intern and serving longer in Thailand, I will also have an opportunity to travel to India with WMF to help with a Regional Retreat for the WMF missionaries. I will get to rub shoulders with the missionaries from India and Nepal. I am so thrilled at this opportunity and I am also hoping to see my old college friend that is in India too...(Miss ya Amanda).


Anyhow, as you can tell... I am overwhelmed by the way the Lord is opening doors. Through this whole process of preparing to leave for Thailand, I am truly humbled and in awe of God's hand moving. I pray that all of us will be aware of God's hand moving, because He always is... He moves in those quiet places of solitude, of silence, when we are still... We just need to be alert, looking, and listening to His gentle movements in our lives!

Dear Friends, I invite you to join with me as I walk in this journey of serving exploited women of the Red Light Districts. Bangkok, Thailand is ripe and ready for the harvest. The Thai women are longing to see and feel a love that is bigger and strong than the chains that bind them. Please pray for me, for the Thai women, and ultimately that Jesus Christ will shine in the darkest streets, in the loneliest brothels, and in the most broken of hearts!