When we prayed for Luke 10, I asked not for the easy way, but for God's way. I want to grow in faith... So, when the rest of Southbound headed north, Yellow team made our way down south, and what an incredible journey it was!
Okay, so from Takuapa (Thailand) we as Yellow team headed for Vietnam. Receiving many confirmation that that’s where we have to go. Many of the words we got, involved boats, so we felt lead to go down to Songkla (Thailand) and get a boat from there. From leaving the house, we were blessed by various transports, and many people that just continued to bless us, picking us up, buying bus tickets and being open to hearing our testimonies.
We spent our first night on Hatyai's busstop, waiting for an early bus to Songkla.
In Songkla we went to a church (which we found out was visited a few months ago by Bernard and Freddy on their Luke 10). The pastor and his family ended up blessing us abundantly and directing us to Singapore to try and get a boat from there, blessing us with more than enough money to get a bus straight to Singapore, through Malaysia.
Night 2 was spent on the bus.
In Singapore, we walked to Clifford pier, just to find out that it's not in use anymore. We went to the other side of the city to Harbour front, where all the cruise ships and ferries are, but there were no seaman to talk to and ask if they'll take us to Vietnam.
Finding no boats to Vietnam, we regrouped and searched God's face, He led us to the airport, seeing that the only way to get there is on a flight. So yeah, that night (night 3) we slept on the airport - Terminal 2. After approaching Singapore airlines, and a few others, we realized that no one is keen on giving away 4 free tickets. Lol - I was really sure they would just! =o) So we ended up praying, feeling like we need to do something from our side, and I saw purple, which made me approach many people wearing purple. Most listened to our adventures till now, but weren’t keen on helping us. Max and Elaine were going to all restaurants, finding out if we can work for some money. Ends up, in Singapore, you’re not even allowed to do volunteer work without a work permit. Starting out on our journey, one of the many words we got, was to abide by the laws of the land we are in. And then we got Singapore, probably the strictest country in the world, which taught us to live in excellence. We ended up meeting pastor Tony, who’s son is on his way to the army, and he just encouraged us so much, until the early morning hours, praying for us and blessing us with some money to get us started.
The next morning, after a few hours sleep on the cold airport floor, and d-group. We realised that so many times we focus so much on where we need to go, that we miss out on simply spending time with God. So we refocused ourselves and our motives for being here and then we headed out to find out about getting Vietnamese visas. It ends up that you can’t get a flight without money, but also not without a Vietnamese visa. So we spent a lot of time with the ladies at the information desk, very helpful, whom helped us to contact our own embassy and connect us with a local church. They could only pray for us. Okay, so Lord, out of our own effort we are not getting anywhere. Please direct our steps! Every time we prayed about what to do next, God simply said: “Take courage, be still and know that I am Lord. Trust in Me and wait…” So we’d play ninja!
Abiding by the rules set by the authorities, we knew that we needed to get visas first, before we can find a flight. Walking, no actually jumping in faith, we took ID photos for our visa applications, which can only be done at the embassy, and headed for Terminal 1. Everywhere it felt like we only hit brick walls. Still our hearts broke for Vietnam and the prosecution the church is experiencing there. Tomorrow will be the day we head out and get our visas! We found a nice corner, with a beautiful sunrise view over the airplanes and in looking for direction to the embassy, met Frank. Our first man of peace, he truly blessed us so much with dinner and breakfast.
But this was only the start, he lead us to meet our lady of peace – Regina. She works at the airport and was able to help us so much. Going above and beyond!! I loved spending time with her and ministering into her life – it& rsquo;s incredible how uplifting and encouraging it is to share God’s heart with people. This is what life is about! She opened up her house to us and we got to spend a lot of time with her, her mom and niece. Helping out where we can and sharing our testimonies with them.
We also met up with some of the youth that we met at the airport. They encouraged us so much with their love and passion for God! And they blessed us with a nice, traditional dinner and a donation towards getting our visas.
So on day 5, me and Elaine set out to apply for our visas at the embassy. According to the internet, we had just enough money for the visas, but when we got there, they told us that for South Africans it’s more expensive. So instead of the $120 we thought it would be for all of us, it ended up being $195 per person, totalling up to $730 for all of us. But we’re stepping in faith, so we paid the $130 we had, organized to pick up the passports tomorrow and then we’ll give them the outstanding $600. God will provide!
The next day, we went back to the embassy, not having the money, but trusting that God will grant us favour. Ends up, the visas are already in our passports and there is no way to get it if we don& rsquo;t pay the $600. We’re stuck in Singapore, with no identification. Oh man! Dad, what now?? This turned into a time of walking around the neighbourhood and figuring what is the difference between my voice and God’s. There are so many things that I don’t understand, and I don’t have to, I just have to trust God. Just be a child, depending completely of your Dad!
So many times, we try and take these huge leaps up faith, that you miss out on so much along the way. Rather, start by only taking steps of faith, don’t get ahead of yourself.
Friday morning, still not having enough money, we went back to the embassy. They are only open from 10:30-12:00 and we need to get our passports today, because we need to be in Cambodia Saturday by 13:00. We spoke to another man, still having no favour in their eyes. While still discussing with them, Barry approaches us. They heard our South African accents and being from SA themselves, offered to help. We explain our situation and him, his wife and daughter blesses us with $550. Just like that! Ecstatic and silenced by God’s provision!
So, we know we need to fly to Cambodia tomorrow – to meet the rest of our Southbound team and be in time for our next ministry point (trusting that God will still open the way to go to Vietnam, but now is just not the time for us). But we don’t have anything and the tickets will cost us about $860. God lead us to Marine drive, so 22:15 Friday night we took a bus, not knowing what to do or where we are going, but trusting that God will make the way as we walk in faith. We end up at a church, that takes us to their pastor. We share our story with him and he prays for us. Lord, what now? It’s 23:30, the last bus back is at 00: 00, we need to fly tomorrow 11:00, and we don’t have anything. After some reflection, we see that the way in which we approached so many situations wasn’t right. We were inwardly focused, on what we need, instead of being outwardly focused, serving where we are sent. While we’re still singing a few songs and seeking God again, the pastor comes back. He’s surprised to see us sitting there. We don’t know what else to do than just praise God. There is nothing left in us anymore. Glad for the opportunity to apologise for the way we approached him and the situation, he shares his heart with us as well and the next thing I know, he reaches into his pocket and hands us $1000. O man, tears galore! Poor Tian has 3 crying on his hands - again! There are just no words to say thank you!
And here we are now, in Cambodia, on time. We got our flight from Singapore to Cambodia and even have enough money for breakfast on the airport.
Why do we so easily doubt God? Why do we so easily forget all that He has done for us? Still, in His grace, He blesses us. Not because we deserve it, but because He is the I am. He stays faithful, even when I’m not! Who He is, is not determined by who I am!
Through our Luke 10 journey, God taught me that what we think of missions is not always true. There is no difference between one soul coming to Christ and a hundred coming to Him. Missions should be a condition of your heart to see people coming to God’s kingdom. God asks you to be obedient to what He asks of you to do, specifically! Every day of your life.
Luke 10 is not only a 10 day challenge. It’s a lifestyle!& nbsp; Is it always easy? Not at all! I think it was the most challenging week of my life, but it taught me that I don’t want to be the uncertain, doubtful person that I am! I don’t want to continue going around the same mountain my whole life, and making the same mistakes over and over again.
If you ask me if this week was successful, I would definitely say yes! God’s kingdom was brought and lives were changed – I know I’ll never be the same again…