What did we learn?

Well, we're back, and we learned quite a bit actually. But I'm not sure it's what we expected to learn. I think all four of us learned something different. I (Kerri) came back profoundly aware that I/we need to humble ourselves before the Lord and pray, and He will hear us. I feel as if our time praying in northern Thailand was a humbling act. We don't have stories of healings, medical clinics, mass conversions, and food distribution. But we do have stories of God's glory and Satan's presence. In the pictures I have added, you will see huge, ugly and most definitely evil idols. People in northern Thailand - many of whom are desperate refugees from Burma - are giving their worship to these idols, and placing their hope in these idols. It is truly heartbreaking.

And now we are back and we too are desperate. We are desperate for the Lord to reveal to us how we can serve the suffering Shan refugees. We desperately want to be His hands and feet in this dark and weary land. Would you join us in seeking God's face? Would you join us in asking Him to allow us to take His light into this land? And would you pray with us that He would cast out the idols which rob him of the glory He is due? Although we are desperate for His guidance, we are not discouraged. He who has called us to serve the suffering Shan people is faithful, and if we humble ourselves and pray to Him and seek His face, He will hear us...and we wait in great expectation for our marching orders!

Thank you for praying with and for us on behalf of the Shan people,
Kerri

Commiting our Cause to God

The gals and I can't believe we have only one day left here in Thailand. The majority of our past week has been travel, but as always, we continue to worship Jesus in this place, as a precursor to the glory he will receive here from the people who turn to him. We went to a town further south of the Shan people, to where the Karen are. This minority group from Burma has a remnant of believers and are not as unreached as the Shan, but they have suffered from increased attacks by the government just these past few weeks. We believe God brought us here to pray for the Shan, and open doors to work with them. Still, as we meet with long-term missionaries here, their words of wisdom keep resounding, that as Christian we are called pray for salvation for the lost, but to uplift other Christians in their need as well . Having heard of the tremendous suffering of the Karen, we seek to obey God in praying for the saints in this region too. "As for me, I would seek God, and to God would commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number...he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety." Job 5:8-9, 11.

The team will take today to rest and prepare for our long journey home, but we plan to do one more prayer walk before we leave. Please be praying for the thousands of women and girls here in Chiang Mai that are either sex slaves, or the choose to prostitute themselves out. It seems every street corner we walk on is full of woman just waiting for someone who is interested. In case you didn't know, this kind of thing is legal in Thailand, and accounts for the majority of tourism. Pray that we would have compassion on these women, but not compassion in prayer. Grace is undeserved for all of us, whether we are suburbia gals from Denver, or a prostitute from Thailand. Much love and we will see you soon!

Nicole (for the rest of the team)