Monday, November 9, 2009

Thailand

ฉันย้ายไปประเทศไทยในเดือนมกราคม! ฉันตื่นเต้นเพื่อให้ขั้นตอนต่อไปนี้ในชีวิตของฉัน. พระเจ้าจะทำสิ่งที่วิเศษ!

Well. I can't read this yet. (But it looks impressive huh?) It says: I'm moving to Thailand in January! I am so excited for this next step in my life. God is doing amazing things!

I've wanted to be a missionary since I was in high school. While I was at INSIGHT I learned just how important it is that we as Christians, disciples of Christ, take on the task of reaching the nations for Christ. There are still so many people who have never heard the name of Jesus! I know there is nothing else I can do but serve the Lord Jesus by reaching His lost children.

Over the summer I felt God tugging at my heart and urging me to go overseas. I looked into joining a number of organizations, but none of them really seemed to fit until I discovered a small group called Compasio. They are a branch off of YWAM working in Thailand with Burmese immigrants. Their main focus is helping children and widows who are unable to provide for themselves unless they prostitute themselves or are sold into slavery.

As I read about Compasio and talked to them, I knew that God wanted me to be there working alongside this small team. I was accepted and I'm making plans to join them in their mission in January.

I have a few goals for my time there.
One major purpose is exposure. I have never lived overseas and I would just like the experience of what it is like to fit into another culture and communicate with people who have opposing worldviews.
Another goal I have is to observe. Because I feel called to work overseas, I want to see what the people need most (besides Jesus of course) do they need someone who is skilled in agriculture? Do they need medical care? Do they need awareness raised? What can I do to most effectively help them?
My last objective is simply to love people who are unlovable. The Burmese people are displaced. They do not fit anywhere, many of them have been persecuted by the government and have had family members murdered. They are the very definition of living without hope. I want to love them with Christ's love. To show them that there is a God who loves and cares for them.

Please pray for me as I prepare to travel to Thailand. I am going to be raising support and sharing with friends and family about what I will be doing. Pray that God will open up the doors and provide the financial aid for me to continue in this mission. Thank you so much!

Katie