June 26, 2012
Sawat dee ka to our wonderful supporters!
I’m blogging from the wonderful “Land of Smiles” to tell you our team is loving Bangkok! We’ve spent the past week in the city for orientation before being released to our ministry sites. It’s been an exciting trip.
Each day we had missionaries (Thai and American) share what God is doing through their ministries here. We also had the Global Urban Trek founder, Scott Bessenecker, share about his vision to reform Western missionary structures and to build incarnational ministries where people willingly surrender wealth and comfort to live alongside the poor in order to love and serve them well. Orientation also included cultural simulations and chances to explore the city to get a taste of jumping into a foreign culture without becoming overwhelmed and shutting down.
For me the most powerful part was getting my first glimpse of the sex industry on Saturday. We went out in groups of 10 led by missionaries on a prayer walk and prayed over the streets, women, clients and bar owners. It was so tough to stomach, but it was amazing to hear how God IS working and present in those places through willing missionaries, even when it’s hard to see hope there.
Today we’re departing to our 4 ministry sites in Bangkok where we’ll spend the rest of our time.
1. Klong Toey – “70 Acres”
This area is 70 acres of slums where a team will be working at a nursery to care for slum children.
2. Chan ta mit (Praphadang)
A team will be ministering to the leprosy community, at-risk youth, and the elderly.
3. Ruth Center (This is where I’ll be!!)
Our team will be living with and serving the elderly poor.
4. Word Made Flesh
A team will teach English and minister in among a largely Cambodian community and to child beggars in the Red Light District.
Prayer requests:
Healthy team dynamics, HEALTH, learning to serve our hosts and new friends, being fully engaged and not withdrawing in tough situations, learning Thai, energy and rest, cultural adjustment into the slums, and focusing on building relationships instead of completing tasks
by Sunnah
