WHERE YOU GO, I'LL GO!

The first night we as staff resumed ministry in the red-light areas of Bangkok..

As we were taxiing down to Bangkok we hit bumper to bumper traffic, this made the butterflies in my stomach even worse. After two hours of sitting, we finally had arrived at the prayer center in Nana and as we prayed my confidence rose, and I felt bold and strong in faith. We asked God for a location and we all were in agreement and felt led to go to Soi Cowboy, so we jumped in a tuk-tuk and made our way.

On the way we continued to pray for specifics about the night and we again were in agreement to stand at the back entrance. The boldness I felt in the prayer center started to flee but I quickly reminded myself the reason I moved half-way around the world. We met two men tonight with totally different perspectives. One was polite and one was a bit harsher, one was from Europe, the other from the States, one against prostitution, and the other for. However, both traveling and both searching: one for a person the other for a “path.” It was an interesting night, we were able to share truth and at the same time refute and counter the stereotype of Christianity. Who knows where these men are today, God knows and I pray they call to follow up. The thing that encourages me most though is this: We specifically prayed for God to lead us in where we should go, to stand in the place where He would want us to stand, and meet the men He would have us meet. We met two men whom we got to enjoy two conversations with and challenge them in there thinking about love and about truth. No bended knees, however, who can discredit the seeds God plants? I pray that someone else will be there to water. 

HISTORY WITH GOD!

Two weeks ago I had the privilege to take a weekend trip with some good friends to Pak Chong, Thailand – a couple hours Northeast of Bangkok. We had a great get-a-way weekend together meeting ‘family,’ new friends, riding elephants, hanging out on a local farm – indulging in a nice bloody steak (unfortunate for the cows out back) and eating homemade ice cream. Good times. However, the highlight of this trip to Pak Chong for me wasn't riding ridiculously large elephants (even though I did feel like royalty), it was sitting with and listening to a couple who pioneered a church plant and have been missionaries in Thailand for 20 years. As this Pastor, Steve and his wife, Andrea spoke I got quiet - I had no desire to speak, only to listen. In my heart they inspired me to know and serve the Lord, beyond a “two year commitment” but for my life. I was absolutely thrilled by the history they have with God.

They told stories and testimonies of countless prayers The Lord has answered like when they first arrived in Thailand, Steve made a promise with the Lord, He said, “You teach me Thai and I will preach your word!” This guy has never attended a class and he speaks fluently, I was even told if you speak with him on the phone, you would think you were speaking to a Thai man. Again, there was this man at the hospital that was next to dead, the doctors were waiting and hoping for him to die so he would be put out of misery – they had already signed his death certificate. This man was raised from the dead, the doctors were left speechless, his sister instantly got saved, and now he attends their church on most Sundays. The church was planted 13 years ago. Many people  have come before them and have tried, however they failed when things became too difficult. But, Steve and his wife have stuck with it building the church long before ever building a place to attend on Sunday morning. They have persevered and been faithfully obedient to the calling that God has given them. 

Why do I mention Steve and Andrea?

Meeting people like these missionaries, who are devoted to the Lord, who have history with God, who don’t just talk about the Kingdom of God but actually partner with God and do something - have inspired me beyond measure. They aren't famous, not many people know them, they dont do it to make extreme amounts of money, they just obey God, follow Him, and go after the lost hoping to disciple this beautiful nation. They walk life day by day in tune with God! After I met them and people like them (which has been happening a lot lately) I told the Lord "Here I am, I want nothing else, other than history with You." 

You see I don’t care anymore about the get rich schemes or comparing myself with people who have more "things" than me. I just want to know the Lord more intimately and powerfully in my own life and make Him known through spreading the gospel with signs and wonders - (that which is founded upon hours and hours of prayer). I am done, God is so good and too good that for the rest of my days, I will serve him, I will love him, and I want nothing else. Sure I have dreams, passions, and hopes but they sit in the backseat. What I want is for people to look at my life and know that God is real and that he is so good because they see it in and through me. All I want is to have a rich history with God!  #sharingmyheart!

VISIT TO SOI COWBOY & PATPONG

We jumped in a taxi and headed down town to the red-light areas of Bangkok to pray. As we walked through these areas, bright lights and erotic signs flashed in our faces as scantily clad women and lady boys aggressively beckoned us to come to their establishments. The atmosphere was very evil and dark; nothing in sight glorified the name Jesus. People celebrated the darkness with drunkenness and every kind of sexual lust or fantasy you could think of. I could sense falsity in the love and intimacy being offered. The emptiness and loneliness has placed a choke-hold on the identities of the men who frequent these red-light areas. However, as we walk down these streets I refuse to believe that the love of God and the power of His grace lack the ability to transform any man’s heart, even in the middle of a dark red-light district like this. 

I sat slouched in the back of the taxi drinking a Starbucks as we headed back to our apartments later that night. We continued to pray and think, truly believing that pursuing these men is close to the heart of God. Our prayer is to know God intimately, to know how He views us as His Sons, and to know the truth about who we now are as redeemed men of God! We believe that knowing our true identities, accepting the love of God in our own lives, and walking in His freedom gives us the authority to speak into these men’s lives with boldness; in hopes to show them what they too, can become.

My hope is that these men would return to their wives and become husbands, return to their kids and become good fathers, and return to their communities and become examples.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

The MST Project staff took a trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia over the weekend. We had a great time meeting new people and connecting with our friends there, despite only spending 24 hours total in the country. Even though our time was limited, we felt like we had a pretty productive trip. 

We were up and out the door around 5 AM Friday morning to catch the first flight out of Bangkok.

Upon arrival we had a meeting with a few local ministries who we partner with, which went great. Then, after lunch we conducted a training seminar. A training seminar's main purpose is to share the MST Projects's vision with those interested in who we are and what we do. This was the main focus of our trip to Cambodia, and it went great because the people who attended the seminar really understood and caught on to our perspective, vision, and our hearts for the project. I personally was thrilled about our time so far because this acted as my first official venture with the MST Project. After dinner and to end the training seminar we finished with a night of ministry in the red-light areas of Phnom Penh. 

I had mixed emotions. I felt tired from travelling, excited to do what I came to do, and a little nervous considering I had just arrived to the ministry two weeks ago without ever experiencing it firsthand before moving half way around the world. Although nervous, I had confidence knowing that The Lord was most pleased with my obedience to follow him into the "Heart of Darkness," and to be one of the few who will stand on the street corner to offer these men HOPE! Our two teams got to engage with quite a few men, talk to and listen to their stories. For me personally I didn't have the greatest night connecting like some of the others did, but I still love what I represent and do; even on a night where I might not realize just how powerful God was moving.

The night ended with intercession for the men we had just met. We arrived at our hotel around 2:30  AM, I was exhausted. Within seconds of hitting the pillow I was out cold only to wake up to anonymous wakeup call at 6:20 AM. Back up and at it, we were on the first flight back to Bangkok. 

We had a great trip. Thanks to all who were praying.

BEGINNINGS IN BANGKOK!

I have been in Bangkok for about three weeks now, and I must say I am starting to feel at home. Hartville, Ohio will always be where I am from, but I have started a new chapter of my life in Bangkok. In my last post: "The Lord is my Shepherd" I told you how I came to make this decision to move to Bangkok, and now, as I settle into this new place and into my new home, I will share with you the experiences of living on the other side of the world.

Staring out the window as my plane was making its final descent into lit up Bangkok, I felt as if the past year and a half spent planning made its way to fulfillment. Moving to the other side of the world alone may seem daunting and intimidating but I was filled with peace. I was confident because I had the word of the Lord; and that my friends, is all I need. When I arrived at my apartment late that night all I could do was pray and thank the Lord for bringing me here. Since arriving the past few weeks have been somewhat difficult. Rightfully so. It is easy to miss home especially when you just left your closest friends and family behind. However everyday I have the ability to think back and stand on what God has spoken to me.  I think back to the promises He has made me and all the growth I gained while preparing. I am encouraged by the Spirit of Truth because I know I am in the will of God for my life. Again, that fact is enough for me. I sense that I am at the beginning of great things here in Bangkok as I establish myself in my new home for years to come.

So far my time here has been focused on learning the language. I must say I enjoy the challenge of learning the Thai language and I feel as if I am picking it up rather quickly - it helps being fully submerged into the culture and having a great teacher. The MST Project is going well, too. We have had a lot going on in regards to logistics, training, and meetings. Actual ministry will start up shortly as we are still preparing, learning the different ministry locations, etc. 


We did visit one ministry location called Nana Plaza, which is a very popular tourist area for sexual services. The night we went, we met up with our friend Vashi. Vashi is an Indian man who runs a custom tailor shop with his wife. Above his store in the heart of the Red-Light District, his sign reads: JESUS IS LORD! I've only met him once, but I sense a great relationship in the making (who doesn't love Jesus and custom suits?). At night Vashi allows us to use his shop as our prayer center/ministry headquarters. So while at Nana Plaza we prayed blessings over him his wife and his business as well as prayer walking through the "three levels" of Nana Plaza.

Thanks for reading. The update about the MST Project trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia is coming shortly as well as our future trip to Wisconsin for the ICAP Conference in May. 

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

28 June 2009 - A day that I will never forget! I had been attending the University of Akron (U of A) for two semesters after completing my DTS with YWAM Perth, Australia. While attending university, I was discontent. I lacked vision, a sense of purpose, and passion. I was without a plan and desperately trying to figure out my life on my own. I went to the U of A out of fear, not out of obedience to the Lord. This fear came from culture, and how our culture defines success.

As I look back, I now realize that God was always faithful to me. I enrolled in university with a quest for security and safety. I wanted a degree in a field that would provide me a wealthy living and job security so that I could get married to a beautiful woman, have lots of kids, and live the "American Dream." (These things are not bad things at all, however they specifically deal with my past, my motives, and my insecurities.) I realize now that my view of the world was small and my perspective was earthly, not eternal. This would change midway through my second semester of college. Wrestling day in and day out, I decided that after I took my finals I would officially be done with school. Though I was excelling in school with Dean's List Honors, I couldn't handle the frustration anymore of trying to "figure out my life" on my own, especially because I knew I did not have the word of the Lord to be there in the first place. So I took a big step of faith, which felt more like a leap. I dropped out. Most people (to this day) think I am crazy and that I failed, but I fully trusted the Lord would be true to his word, that He would lead me like a shepherd into His will and plan for me.

I know I was right because on 28 June 2009 I met Chris Lenty who is the founder and leader of the MST Project (www.mstproject.com) after he spoke at "Ruined." While Chris was sharing testimonies about the MST Project my heart began racing. Chris asked for a warrior to come with him to Thailand - someone who isn't ashamed to stand on a street corner on a Friday night in the middle of a Red-Light District and share the Gospel. I knew he was talking about me. Chris then said three things that pierced my heart forever as I felt The Lord's call on my life to move to Thailand. He said, "You are in college with no direction, you come from a broken family, and you want to live that sign." He then read the "Ruined" sign which reads, "Ruined for the ordinary, to live the extraordinary." Immediately this became concrete in my heart. The Lord's will became clear. I had tried way to long on my own trying to figure everything out, and on this night, surrendered before the Lord I was ready. Ready to make a move to follow the Shepherd wherever He would lead.

I made plans that night to move to Thailand to work with the MST Project. I will be moving to Bangkok early January 2011.