This small community that we are in for the next two weeks is deeply rooted in the worship and appeasement of spirits along with a strong Buddhist influence. We are on the front lines fighting the battle against Satan for the souls of the people that reside here. We encountered an example of this yesterday when we met a new believer by the name of Kim. She is the village headmasters wife and became a Christian in March. When we visited her yesterday, she expressed to us her fear of the spirits. She said the evil spirits came to her in a dream and were trying to convince her to deny the Christian faith. In America, this kind of spiritual warfare is almost unheard of. Trust me when I say that the evil one has a stronghold on these people. Each house contains a small spirit house where the family goes to pray and to offer sacrifices. Please pray that God would break down these strongholds! Pray for the application of Ephesians 6 so that we will put on the armor of God to resist the evil one. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against him! Though God has won victory over him, he is still at work. We are the presence of God in this village and in the remaining host homes we will be staying at. Please help us fight with your prayers for these people.
While we ourselves have spent much time in prayer, we have also been out in the community visiting people, prayer walking, passing out tracks, teaching English as a service to the community, and spending time with some of the teens that live close by. Even though we speak very little Thai and do not have a translator, we have been able to make friends with these teens. Our presence in the community has also allowed Rungnapah the ability to answer many questions that her lost family and friends have about Christianity. In other words, we are getting her foot in the door! One lady in particular who is a friend with Rungnapah has a sick son. The mother has never allowed Rungnapah to pray for her or her son in their presence. However, when we visited the other day, the mother allowed us to pray out loud for her and her son in the name of Jesus! Pray that the people would continue to open up to us like this!
After a week of orientation in the states, I was somewhat reluctant to get on the plane... to be honest. My thoughts would dwell on the summer before. Last summer was wonderful, but it was hard. I knew the hardships to expect, and I wasn't sure that I was excited about going through that again. We arrived, and I became content to explore the wonders of Thailand during a short orientation with our IMB supervisors. Then, as they dropped us off at our first host home, my excitement waned again. I was reminded of Philippians 4:11-13 where Paul talks about being content in all circumstances. I think that this is what I am learning. My heartsong this week kind of goes along with that theme of contentment. It is a song that we have sang with Rungnapah several times this week called "It Is Well With My Soul."
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
I think these lyrics speak for themselves. This is what Christ has called me to do! Pray that I would die everyday to my own fears, worries, wants and comforts so that I can better serve Him!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for Rungnapah. She has such a servants heart and takes care of everybody! Pray that she would be able to make connections in the village through us so she can share Jesus even after we are gone.
- Pray for all the other Nehemiah Teams members... for endurance, encouragement, physical and spiritual protection, and intentionality.
- Pray for the guys: Luke and Jamie. They are the other half of our team, and are located farther south in another district. Luke is sick; pray for strength!
- Pray that we would have boldness!
- Pray for the many tracts that we have already passed out, that God would use those in the lives of people who are looking for hope.
- Pray that God would give people dreams and visions that would make them ask questions and search for truth. Pray that He would reveal Himself to people.
- Pray that God would use us, and that we would have faith to know that He is at work even though we cannot see it.
