Breaking Through

Asia! With that word my thoughts would immediately turn to rice, black hair and strange sounding languages. Even now after being in this part of the word for a month these would be the first things jumping to mind, but now so much more as well! Super hot weather, friendly and generous people and God given break throughs are added to that list. New places, people and cultures are continuing to excite and challenge me.
Our first two countries in South East Asia have been the Philippines and Thailand. Arriving in the Philippines most of my thoughts were consumed with the heat- how to escaped from it! Being sticky and gross all the time from sweat was the first thing to come to terms with.
The evenings in the Philippines were spent doing crusades (village outreaches) where we played with the kids, did dramas, shared testimonies and the gospel. Each night we also had the opportunity to step up and pray for people- for salvation, healing, deliverance etc. It was such a blessing to learn how to do that and see how God can work mightily as we allow him. I had a new revelation of what it means to have the gift of healing- that it is as much about the spiritual wounds God wants to heal as the physical pain. To see that working in people’s lives was such a privilege.
During the day we were doing physical labour at a church on Olango Island. This involved digging holes for a security fence. However, the holes were basically in rock/ coral as hard as cement that we chiseled away at. The breaking through in this area came as I was challenged in perseverance, getting through the working day with sweat dropping off me, massive cankles (swollen calf ankle things) due to the heat and relatively minimal sleep. But we definitely made it and dug/ broke through a grand total of 22 holes!

The time between organized ministry in the Philippines and Thailand we had some time off, first exploring Manilla and then Phuket. It was great to be able to see different places and learn some of the history. Arrive in Thailand we were blessed to have family members of some if the team members join us. Seeing peoples families gave a new insight into who each other are and a great opportunity to share so much of what we have learnt this year. The past month we have also had Anthony and Clara from Global Challenge staff join us. The way they approached even the daily routine of things challenged me in the way I am following Jesus and how I choose to serve. There were also a number of teachings that I learnt so much from, especially in the areas of servant leadership and what Godly relationships should look like.

Here in Thailand we have been serving the local pastor through painting and tidying up his house. It has been good to be reminded to do all that I can with excellence and not slack off because it is a seemingly mundane task. We are also spending time interceding for the nation of Thailand.

I have also been learning so much more of what it means for God to set you free and how you come to a point of more of that in your life. I had been struggling with why it must come through different methods, but after experiencing more of that freedom I have realized that it is only through opening up all of your life and wanting to be completely dependant on God. He wants so much to take you to the place he has for you and will use anyway he sees fit to do that.

The next challenge ahead of me is the Luke 10 journey we head away on, on Friday this week. I am excited for where God is going to take us and expectant of even greater things. Please join us in prayer for the people we will meet and that we would really be obedient in carrying out exactly what God calls of us.