The Poor and God's Heart!

(A typical Cambodian house)

Its' taken me awhile to write in my blog again... I guess it's because the past few weeks have been a lot to process. After visiting Cambodia and seeing more suffering, it has stirred a few questions in my mind. I've been thinking of God's heart for the poor. I keep thinking about Jesus' life. He left everything He had and came to earth to be a poor man.

Who really wants to leave their own home, a place of comfort, of safety, a place of peace, to come down and hangout with people who hate you? I know I wouldn't want to do that! But for some amazing and beautiful reason God chose to become poor so that He could identify and relate with us. When I think about Christ's example I am compelled to try and live my life serving the poor the way He did! Identifying with the poor in their suffering is exactly what Christ did.

As I mentioned before, questions have been stirring in my mind related to God's heart for the poor. Questions like, "why aren't we more actively involved with the poor, when Scripture clearly shows God's deep compassion for them?" "If we have so many resources why aren't we more generous with what God has given us?" Or "how can I live more simply inorder to identify with the poor?" I share these questions to encourage all of us to honestly look at God's heart for the 'least of these.' Since being here, I have learned the importance of identifying with the people we work with. We have to bring mutual respect and humility when serving them. We can't come in thinking that we- Westerners can 'save the day'. We need to identify and put yourselves on the same playing field as them. We in fact need the poor, because they teach us about humility, thankfulness, and simplicity.

Being in Thailand, India, and Cambodia and getting to know our friends who are poor, I am compelled to live more simply, because they live very basically. When I am on the streets of Bangkok visiting my friends, I am more aware of the money I spend when around them, I am more aware of what I consider "trash" is. (I quickly learned that my empty plastic water bottle is not trash to someone who doesn't have anything to hold their water in). I am also more conscious of the food I waste when I am eating with them. When I am with my friends who are poor, I am forced to examine my lifestyle.

I want to close with two stories about two women I have become friends with. First is Monicah*. Monicah is one of the women we are caring for in our home. She is 7 months pregnant. She has very little as far as money and possessions go. Right in front of our house, we have a little street market. However, Monicah usually chooses to walk to a different market about 3 miles away in the 100 degree scorching, sun because the other market is just a little bit cheaper. She does this because she wants to be careful with how she spends her money, (even if it means walking 3 miles, 7 mos pregnant in the hot sun). When I look at Monicah's life, I think about the way I spend my money. I usually make decisions based on "convenience". BUT I have to ask myself the question, "is this wise, just making decisions based on what's 'easiest' or 'convenience'? I think God would answer and say no. We should be more thoughtful with the way we spend our resources, even if it means shopping somewhere else, or not buying the newest clothes or coffee. Since, living and caring for Monicah, I have seen her simplicity and it really challenges me to examine my lifestyle. I have also seen her thankfulness for what she does have.

The second story is about a women named Ban Luog*. She was abandoned by her husband, is now homeless and lives on the streets with her three children (ages 10, 5, 6 mos). Ban Luog is actually Cambodia but she lives in Thailand because she can make more money begging on the streets rather than working in Cambodia. Ban Luog has had a very hard month. Recently, a foreigner drugged her while she was begging on the street and he took her 5 old daughter. By God's grace the police intervened and Ban Luog got her daughter back safely. However, it would be much safer for Ban Luog to go back to Cambodia with her 3 children. But she doesn't want to go back because she literally has nothing in Cambodia. No home, no food, nothing. There is a Christian organization that we know of that could help her. But she needs the funds to get into the program. If only the resources where there, she would be able to go. Right now, she doesn't have the funds to go where its safer.

There are solutions to these stories...the solution is: God's people getting involved and coming alongside those who are poor. Whether its walking 3 miles to the market so they don't have to walk alone, or whether its living simply and saving money so that it can be used to assist a mother and her 3 children. There are solutions to these stories. The solution first began with God's love. Love that led him to earth to become poor, so that He could reach the least of these! This beautiful truth then moves us (who already have hope) to be His hands and feet in the world!

(* indicates names were changed)

(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)

Stories from India.....

“Ignorance is bliss." Just think about that statement for a moment…I know we have all heard this saying or even used it at some point. And on some level “ignorance IS bliss”…it’s relieving not having to face the reality of certain things in life...not having worries is such a relief! But I was thinking about this and how is applies to my life and the lives of other believers. As I was reflecting about this statement, it actually contradicts they way we are called to live.

Jesus calls us to be in the world, but not of the world. So, if we are called to be in the world then that would mean we can’t be ignorant to the worlds suffering, poverty, or pain. Actually, we should be sitting alongside those who are suffering and suffer with them. Just as Christ says, “mourn with those who mourn.” Since being in Thailand and now just getting back from India, I feel that the Lord is opening my eyes on a deeper level to human suffering. Being “ignorant” or unaware is no excuse. I don’t ever want to live in blissful ignorance of the world around me. This is my prayer for all of believers. I pray that we will live in reality, not in an imagery world free of suffering. God calls us to be involved not ignorant, and that is my prayer for all of us that we truly come alongside those who are suffering.

When I first saw India while flying over Mumbai, you can see the hardship in this country. It is so oppressively poor here. As we were getting closer to land the plane we were flying over the slums. Seeing the conditions of the slums you can just feel the struggles of the Indian lives. Once we landed we had a connecting flight to Chennai. Chennai, India is where the Word Made Flesh conference was being held. The WMF conference was for all the missionaries in the Asia Region. The countries consisted on India, Nepal and of course Thailand. It was a great experience for me. I was able to meet all the WMF staff from the different countries. Getting to hear the stories of how God called the staff was so encouraging! At the conference I was over the child care. It was a blast playing and learning Hindi from the missionary kids! After the conference in Chennai we spent several days in Kolkata.

When I arrived in Kolkata it was night and I could still tell it was one of the dirties places I have never been. It was so polluted! There are so many words to describe this place! At night when is it just getting dark, it looks as if you are in an old black and white movie. All of the buildings are old and run down, and because of all the dust that flies up and mixes with the street lights it gives an old vintage movie look. It’s strange…

Driving in Kolkata is quite the experience! There are bikes, motorcycles, tuk tuks’, taxis, tons of bus, and strangely- men pulling a carriage with people on it (instead of a horse). The streets are so busy with people and cars swarming around.

On the sidewalks you have people sleeping amongst the noisy traffic and horn honking, children begging for food, sellers of scarf’s, jewelry, and tea stands everywhere! As I was walking on the streets I realized there were hardly any women out. All I saw was Indian men! The ratio of women to men was 1 in 5! As women, we had to be very careful and be sure to dress modesty!

Life in India is very hard. One day, as we were walking down the street, a woman with a small baby and little daughter came up to us, begging. We were able to give the woman yogurt curd with bananas to feed the children. The woman gave a half smile, took the food, then handed it to her little daughter. The women continued to beg. I was watching the little daughter and had noticed she was trying to secretively throw the food away without us seeing. The little daughter didn’t know that I saw her. But seeing her throw the food away only meant one thing. They are controlled by pimp. They are only expected to bring the pimp money, not food.

It was so heart breaking knowing that so many people on the streets live their lives being controlled by someone. That night, it was hard for me to sleep. I kept thinking about all the suffering in this city and in Thailand.

The next morning we woke up at 6AM to work at the Mother Theresa Home for the Dying. At this home men and women who are dying on the streets are picked up and taken here. Their wounds are tended to, they are given medicine, and a comfortable bed. This is a place where they can have dignity and love before they pass- Again another heart breaking day in Kolkata. When I left India all I could do was pray and asks God, ‘what is my role?’ ‘How can I serve and help your people?’

Now that I am back in Thailand serving the women here, I continue to pray and ask God the same prayers, “what is my role and what else can I do?” “I am Yours, so use me how you will.”
Just recently we have taken in some women to stay in our home. Please pray for them! My primary responisbility will be to oversee and care for their needs. Please continue to pray for us in Thailand! Love you all!

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!