I’m
waking up at strange hours, not yet adjusted to the time difference. All is
well with our first Thailand team. We are into our second full day of ministry.
I’ll try to back track and give you a short update thru pictures.
We
arrived Thursday night after a 21+ hour travel day/plane ride. We spent Friday
and Saturday running logistical errands, learning the area, and soaking up as
much Thai culture as we can. Both of us noticed right away that there is a
reason why this country is called “The Land of Smiles”. Everyone here
smiles and is so nice!
A couple
days after our arrival, “Team 1” arrived and we spent time getting to know
them. Sunday was the first day of ministry. We went to an Anglican church in
the morning, then prayer walking in a trafficked district in the evening. Then taught
on listening prayer and AIM’s 5 objectives. These are important things we cover
on every trip and have a huge impact on our ministry times.
Our
evening was spent walking thru the streets where in late afternoon it is
transformed from a street to a shopping district…drawing visitor into the bars,
strip clubs, and more. This is a great way for us to ease them into the kind of
ministry we will do and to adjust to the time change/culture shock. While
walking, we prayed.
Tonight
we start going into bars and sitting with girls. Earlier today we went to the
Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and prayer walked. There are stories from our time
there I hope to tell later. Our second stop was to bring some joy and love to
those that have been displaced by the flooding, who were staying in a local gym. We
arrived to find they had been moved to higher ground, as they were expecting
that area to be flooded as well.
Some of
you have seen stories of the flooding in Bangkok. While it hasn’t rained since
we’ve been here, there’s been more rain here than there has been in the last 50
years. Parts of the city are underwater…. not the part we are located in.
However, the government is doing a “slow release” of the build up in
order to avoid the same tragedy NOLA experienced in 2005. Everywhere we go,
sandbags are stacked in front of doors and windows.
A picture
is worth a thousand words!
is wrapped with flowers and scarves because the Thai people believe spirits
live in this tree.
Floating Market is in a village built on canals. This is us on the “main
road”.
Kristen recently…I can never pass up the opportunity to do something “stupid”. It
wasn’t really what I meant, but we have had a good time with that phrase. I
LOVE adventures. I LOVE creating stories! I LOVE being a part of the big story…and
I crave some danger/risk. Got to live life to its fullest!
The more
I learn about this culture and the heartbreak of what’s going on, the more I
pray specifically for the people I will personally meet on these three weeks…
that God will give me the words to say and that they will feel His love through
me.
Thank you
all for praying!
Nice Brittany Spears moment with the snake! Looks like you are having fun. I hope your ministry there is fruitful. Keep your updates coming; I love reading them.
Nikki
Love the update. and you. Couldn’t help but think that little girl in the boat is who you are there for. You never know who will stand in the shade of the tree you plant today. God Bless You, Connie. Lifting you and your team and the Thai people in prayer.
Oh Connie Lynn – Get those crazy snakes off of you! Yuck. This is when I know you are more like your father than me. Can’t stop shivering. Praying for you and the team.
You are pretty amazing! I am sure that God is using your words and your actions to communicate His love. Live and love the adventure, I am praying for you.
Connie & Kristen,
Thanks for the update & pics; they tell quite a story. Praying with you as you go. Please leave the snake in Thailand (I’ve got the willies). Keep us posted how we can pray- spiritual protection, evacs, flooding, and the people you’ll meet is a start.
I can’t even look at those last pictures….
I love your heart for others and your passion for God and what He is asking you to do. Your since of adventure is something I crave after. I love the last two pictures and would be right there beside you doing the same thing if I were there but while doing something “stupid” please remember to be careful. Praying for you and the Thai people that God will work through you and that His light will shine bright as you walk around in the dark and pray.
Oh friend, I wish I were there with you covered in pythons. What a wonderful ministry and I know that God has sent you to a place where he will touch many. Love you and be safe.