We hit a brick wall...

literally...However, the Lord continues to bless our trip (left you hanging didn't we). After leaving Tha Ton where Faith Village is, we continued our journey into Thoet Thai. We were able to bring a wonderful translator from Faith Village, Ja Fon. She has been such a blessing to us as we were able to minister and meet several Shan people. Without her, we would not have been able to be as effective. We have prayed among the Shan during the morning market each day we have been here. This is where they sell their goods and make most of their money. We were also invited to a Shan Buddhist funeral by the owner of the guest house we are staying at. This was an incredible opportunity for us to learn more about the Shan. We were also very blessed to have connected with Pastor Seng. He lives in the Shan village and his labor of love is very apparent. He has a church in the midst of the village and also teaches Chinese to the children, free of charge. As he is teaching them, he is also ministering the Truth of Jesus Christ. We plan to worship with him on Sunday (tomorrow) and then head back to Chiang Mai. One of the highlights today is that we were able to cross over into Myanmar (Burma). We went to Shwe Dagon (type of Buddhist shrine) where many people worship different idols depending on the day of the week in which they were born. It was very sad to see parents teaching their children this and how many people put their faith into this lie. So we did what we know to do - we prayed. Oh yeah, about that brick wall. There was a little accident but all is ok. Sorry Brian.

Love & miss you,
Jodi

We thought we were in Thailand...

...but it seems we're in Babel. As we hiked up a mountain (yes - it was a mountain!) we couldn't help but think of the Tower of Babel. There is a 3 km walk above the town we're staying in that is a road lined with idols. Just as the people in ancient times tried to reach God with their tower, it seems the people here are trying to place their idols as high as God. There is huge idol every hundred feet or so, and they get larger and "grander" as you go higher. There are many monks living along the walk, and many tourists come to visit and worship these idols. When we finally made it to the top (huffing and puffing I might add) we saw many people there worshiping. It broke our hearts, and it was made all the sadder as we were a stone's throw from Burma there, a country desperately in need of our prayers and God's intervention. Two of the girls sang worship and two of us walked around in astonishment. We prayed through Scripture all around those idols, and we are trusting and have faith that God is going to do wonders in this needy place. We have pictures of the idols in all their ugliness, but we haven't figured out how to get them onto the blog in an Internet cafe yet.

But on a happier note, we have spent a lot of time at an amazing Christian-run orphanage called Faith Village the last couple days. Last night Rebekah and Jodi thrilled the children with stories and crafts, and this morning we all spent time with the older girls and women of Faith Village. We are in awe of the work being done there and God's providence in placing these orphans in a God-fearing and God-worshiping home. We truly see God in this place. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are hot, but happy. We miss you, but we are so joyful to be here. Keep praying, and we will too (hopefully on some flatter ground!).

Much love,
Rebekah and Kerri (for the whole team)

Sawasdee

"God, be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God, Let all the peoples praise You. Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy. For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth."
We are here!!! After our long journey, we arrived in Chiang Mai yesterday, and by the grace of God they are letting us use a car for a week. Pray for a safe journey--as it has been a few months since I drove on the opposite side of the road while carrying 3 precious pieces of cargo! Jodi, Rebekah, Kerri, and I will, in a matter of minutes, be leaving the city to head north toward Fang/Tha Ton, and stay a few days near an orphanage, Faith Village, which has suffered this past year, losing their pastor and overseer from a severe infection. We desire discernment and wisdom from God, knowing and expecting God to do incredible things. Oh yeah--and send up a quick pray for Jodi. She had a delightful encounter with a 3 inch roach hanging out near her toothbrush this morning!
Peace,
Nicole

We're going to Thailand!!

Here is GRI's first team to Thailand in 2007. The team will go and prayer-walk and build relationships among the Shan people living along the northern Thai border with Burma. From the left, we are Jodi, Rebekah, Kerri and Nicole (our wonderful team leader). We leave on Friday, April 20, to pray over this very difficult area. GRI has met with closed door after closed door as we try and begin a full-time work among the Shan refugees in this region. So, we have decided to go back to the beginning, and prayer must be the starting point of any ministry. The Shan have been oppressed by their works-based religion for centuries, and we believe we can best serve them on our knees now. However, we have great expectations for our role in Thailand, which we call the Burma Outpost Project, and it is our desire to have a full-time team living there and serving these incredibly oppressed people in several tangible ways.

We will add to this blog from Thailand, so please continue to check it out. And, Lord willing, our full-time Burma Outpost Project team will start adding to this soon!

Thank you for your prayers and support!
Kerri, for the whole team