Thailand

Sawatdii-kah! (greetings from Thailand)

 

We are in Patong, Phuket in Southern Thailand. It took us a 12 hr bus ride (not including our 3hr ride just to our bus station) from Bangkok to get here, but thankfully we are finally here. Safe and sound.

 

This town reminds me of a Brazilian beach town…and then you see the people. The Thai people are a beautiful mix and have many different features. Unlike Taiwan, where everyone has a similar look, Thai people are very diverse.

 

We are staying in a brightly painted, 5 story building that is home (for right now) to S.H.E. (Self Help Empowerment). This ministry was founded by Mark and Sharon who hail from England. They moved here with their family of four children from Africa and have been in missions for 12 years. When God first called them into missions, Sharon didn’t even know what that was. It just reinforces the saying, God can use anyone J.

 

This ministry is focused on the girls who work at the bars.

What is a bar girl? A woman who feels she has no other option but to sell herself to make enough money to survive or to support her family.

 

Most of the women who work at the bars have a choice, but poverty snatches this choice away. With little education and not many job opportunities the bar seems like the only alternative for these women and their families.

 

What is S.H.E? S.H.E offers women an alternative to working at the bars. Women can come and learn to make jewelry. This jewelry is then sold by S.H.E. and the profit made is used to pay the women. Not only does S.H.E provide an alternative source of income it also provides an atmosphere of love and acceptance. S.H.E. loves Jesus and wants all the women who come to work for her to have the opportunity to love and know the Jesus manJ.

 

The building we are being housed in is also where the girls make their jewelry. They work here every day and have devotionals in the morning, which each team member will lead on a different day.

 

Patong is a beautiful beach town that desperately needs the love of Christ. We will be going to the bars every other night to build relationships with the women we’ve met in hopes that we can share what God has done in our lives. We’ll also be helping to serve the girls and the ministry wherever we can. Whether its taking photos of the jewelry for their new website or cleaning the house.

 

We will be here for 6 weeks so we have lots of time to get to know the locals and take story-filled photos. Prayer walks will also be a big part in what we are doing here. God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” So we shall ask every day until He releases what we’re asking for.

 

Please continue to keep us in your prayers!!  Going to bars every other night is not the easiest thing in the world, also trying to speak and build relationships with these women in this atmosphere is not easy…pray for opportunities to share with them outside of the bar, open hearts, pure minds, and unwavering focus on why we are here. The beach is not far from us and the heat makes for moving around a lot very tiring.

Remember, we are only human. So please, please, please, keep praying for us.

Strength and unity. Grace and love. Joy and Strength!!

 

Much love to all of you…we do miss you J.

 

Pictures (from Taiwan and Thailand) and website address for S.H.E. ministry and products coming soon*

 

MAHALO NUI LOA

 

KHAWP KHUN KAH!

 

(Thank you very much)

**update: she website>> www.shethailand.org