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!