Who would want to read a blog I'll be writing? You, hopefully! Here's why: you have an opportunity to partner with me in hopes of bringing hope to the hopeless and healing to the destitute. You can be a part of positive change in southeast Asia, and you won't even have to leave your home!
First Stop: South Korea
On the morning of July 30 I will be flying to Seoul, S. Korea, and from there ride a few hours away to Hwasun, where I was invited to lead a small group at a youth conference occurring August 1-3. *Pray that I would lead with godly wisdom and a desire to serve*
Following the conference I'll head back to Seoul for a week-ish of having an open schedule. This will likely include teaching English, meeting with some people I know in Seoul (friends, ministry leaders), and experiencing Korean people and culture to a greater extent than I've had the privilege of doing in La Crosse. *Pray for God to guide each day's activities, that I would walk through the good works He has prepared for me*
On August 9th I'll fly to Bangkok and eventually arrive in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. After a couple weeks in Thailand I'll spend a few days in Laos before returning to the US on August 30th.
Here I hope to gain vision. I am set to graduate with an MPH (Master of Public Health) degree in the spring of 2013. People always ask what I want to do with that degree. Read Isaiah 61. Then you'll know.
So why the region of SE Asia? While great prosperity exists, many areas remain in poverty. Poverty without vision leads to hopelessness and despair. Many people suffer from preventable illness and disease and lack the means to pay for health care costs. This leads to parents taking unthinkable measures. Children are sold as sex slaves. Often they are kidnapped or tricked by false promises of a job and become victims of human trafficking. Please take 8 minutes and watch this video that captured my heart and also puts the spiritual chains in existence on display.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-12-2010/rescuing-child-sex-workers/5684/
I am not satisfied simply raising awareness about this issue. I want to do whatever I can with my hands and feet. Maybe it's just coincidence this came up after I began praying more consistently that God would give me His compassion...
...Or maybe not. As you can read in many verses, God certainly has a heart for children, the fatherless, the poor, and the helpless.
"Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me..."
-Matthew 18:5
"...but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
-Matthew 19:14
"When He saw the
crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and
helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
-Matthew 9:36
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
-Isaiah 58:6-7
Here's my goal: see ways to empower communities to reduce poverty and prevent sex trafficking. So, I need prayer.
Here's what I ask that you pray for:
- All travel details working out smoothly and stress-free
- God's guidance and divine providence in connecting me with individuals who will help me to get involved.
- Health
- Opportunities to serve and wisdom in how to effectively accomplish the purposes of God
- God's heart and compassion for people
- God-given vision and opportunities to bring about change in an entire region through community development to achieve a reduction in poverty and prevention of sex trafficking
- That the kingdom of God would advance and the peace, freedom, and joy found in Christ Jesus would break through in supernatural ways, shining light in dark places
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." -John 10:10
One final note. While I am personally able to fund this trip, I will not refuse support from any who want to give, because it's not for my benefit but yours!
"Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied...And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:17-19
Thank you for your prayers and support. I'll update you as I'm able. Subscribe by email to ensure that you get the updates!
