What is this Dutch girl doing going by herself to the other side of the world you may ask? LOTS of things! I will be volunteering mostly alongside Jon and Bonnie Esau, missionaries from Chilliwack who are now living in Thailand, teaching English at a government office and helping at kids camps and the local church activities (among many other things!) :) I'll also be doing some teaching and serving at Abundant Life House, an orphanage for kids in Chonburi who have HIV where Ricky and Karen Sanchez are involved.
From July 9-August 17th I'll be living in the province of Chonburi, Thailand exploring all kinds of ministry opportunities there. It's been tugging at my heart for two years now to consider doing overseas missions, particularly in Thailand, because of the incredible testimonies I have heard of what God is doing in the lives of people there. It's amazing to see how quickly the details of this adventure have come together and I can see God's hand through it all! It was only two months ago that I started talking with missionaries in Thailand about the possibility of coming.......the next thing I knew I had a Thai Visa and was booking my flights!
THANK-YOU to my amazing friends, colleagues, students, and family who have contributed in so many ways (in prayer, offering supplies and resources, etc.) to this adventure. I have a mountain of craft supplies, toys, and letters to bring with me to share with the sweet kids over there!
If you'd be willing to pray for me while I'm away I'd SO appreciate it!
Here are a few specific prayer requests...
-I'm praying for opportunities to meet new people and to observe and engage in multiple stages of church planting and to have a cross-cultural experience that pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges me to grow in new ways. My hope is that I can discern while I'm there and afterwards whether God is calling me to serve in a 'missionary' capacity.
-FOOD. Having Celiac Disease can be challenging when traveling, particularly in a country where I don't speak the language! Thankfully I can eat a lot of Thai food if it doesn't have a few ingredients that I'm allergic to. Pray that I have health while I'm there - I can get incredibly sick if I eat gluten. Thai sticky rice is about to become my new best friend! :)
-The missionaries in Thailand that I'll be working with - pray that they establish deep and lasting friendships with locals that allow them to share with them who Jesus is and impact their lives.
-That I would have flexibility, an open mind and heart, and opportunities to share about Jesus with people that I encounter.
-Confidence and safety as I travel on my own over there. I'm a tough cookie, but safety is always a concern when I travel by myself. :)
I'll have frequent updates, pictures, and more prayer requests as they come. Stay tuned!!
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