I just got back last weekend from camping 2 weeks in a place called Hidden Valley (no they don't make ranch dressing there, actually ranch dressing is uncommon in Australia) with my DTS students. Wow, it was such an exhilerating experience! There is something about Hidden Valley that it seems easier to meet with God, probably because of the beautiful nature scenery and getting away from all technology. The first week of lectures for the students was on Lordship, laying things down at the foot of Christ and in turn picking up things that he has called you to and trusting him completely. It was an extremely intense and amazing week with God that resulted in 15 students getting baptized in a swimming hole down the road. The second week we were in Hidden valley, we learned about godly relationships for part of the week, and the staff got the opportunity to share with the students as well. I shared different stories and testimonies from my life and what God has been teaching me for a little over an hour. It went really well and I am excited to continue growing in my public speaking skills.
This past week, I have been preparing to take my team that I am co-leading with my friend Steph to Thailand. We will be there for about 6 and 1/2 weeks, 2 weeks will be spent at a place called Agape Children's home, 2 weeks with an organization called the Tamar Center, and 2 weeks in the hill tribes. The Agape Children's home houses over 100 children who are mostly Karen children from Burma. "The purpose of Agape Home is to provide each child the opportunity to learn in a healthy, supportive, Christian environment." (http://www.ywamthai.org/outreach/locations/) We will be working with the kids, doing programs, teaching English, playing with them and simply loving them.
The Tamar Center is a ministry that provides help, care, and jobs for woman looking for hope beyond the sex industry that is rampant in Thailand. We will be going out to the bars, talking to the woman stuck in this industry, loving them and encouraging them that there is hope for their lives. We will also be teaching english amongst many other things.
In the hill tribes which are the more rural village parts of Thailand, we will be doing programs about everything from the hope that we have in Christ to health awareness and awareness of human trafficking. These village people are the most vulnerable and targeted people to human trafficking because they are poor and seemingly hopeless to a positive future.
As we prepare to leave, I am so excited to get to do the very work that Jesus did, reaching out to the poor, the orphans, the prostitutes. I never thought I would be leading a team of 10 DTS students on outreach to Thailand for almost 7 weeks to be doing this kind of work. God continues to prove to me how much greater his plans are for my life and his dreams are so much more amazing than I could ever imagine! I would appreciate your prayers this week as we still need to purchase plane tickets and take care of some last minute logistics. Please pray for our team, for health, unity, perseverance, and protection. Also pray for a positive attitude for all team members as a 6 and 1/2 week outreach can be extremely challenging and draining spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Lastly, me and my friend Steph who I am co-leading the team with still are in desperate need of finances for this trip. We really don't want to have to send our team to Thailand without the 2 leaders so we would greatly appreciate your prayers for breakthrough in finances!
Thank you all for your prayers and support! You are greatly appreciated and I am so thankful for your love! I couldn't do this without you all!!!
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