God of this City

A friend of mind just posted this video on Facebook and I wanted to share it with you. Why? Am I a Kris Allen fan? I have never even seen him before now. Some people get American Idol here and keep up with the latest competitors but we don't have access to it with our TV package. No, I want to tell you the story behind this song. It all started in Pattaya, Thailand a few years ago. An American group was here on a mission trip and had the opportunity to perform at a local bar. They could sing whatever they wanted as long as they kept buying cokes. While performing and singing songs of praise in this dark place, this song was revealed to them, given to them, laid on their hearts... for the city of Pattaya. This song gives me such hope and encourages me about the work that God is doing here.

I haven't shared a lot about the city of Pattaya too much here because it's a family blog! I have some younger readers and I haven't wanted to be too graphic plus I don't want to worry my mom too much! Pattaya is a place like no other. There are an estimated 30,000 prostitutes over the age of 18 in this city alone. We live on the outskirts of the 'business' but are faced with it regularly. Recently, when Nathan was completing his scuba license we had to regularly go down a most disgusting, disturbing soi (street). Nathan had to be at class by 9:30 and even at that hour there were many ladies out soliciting business. It is so, so grievous. How offensive it must be to a holy God.

But-I am hopeful. I am hopeful that greater things are to be done in this city. I feel like I'm setting on the periphery watching God doing something here and it feels exciting to be a small part of that work. Thailand was not on our radar even one year ago-Exxon just doesn't give much lead time! But of all the places in the world God could have sent us, He chose here. And He is sending lots of Christians here mostly through their vocations. DOW Chemical has a HUGE project here at the moment and God has sent many believers through them. An older friend of mine here from TN, that was a missionary to India for over 20 years has lived with her son over the last 4 years in Pattaya. She said even two years ago she knew only a handful of Christian women in this area. She attends our Bible study that has had over 20 ladies at some meetings, women from every nation. God continues to send families to visit our church. He is opening doors here. Our church has found a Thai Presbyterian church to partner with here in this city. Our pastor is beginning English classes there on Wednesday nights, hopefully some of their faithful members will be learning English alongside Thai unbelievers. Songkran our driver is very interested in the free classes and now we just have to work out a schedule so that Mark can be driven home from work early enough to allow Songkran to attend the classes. If each of us that has been transferred here because of work can testify and live out the gospel even just in front of our drivers and housekeepers this city could be changed. We are the light in the darkness-There is NONE like our God!

Please pray for us that we will be faithful to what the Lord is calling us to here in Pattaya. We will be leaving in less than two weeks for HOME we will be there for over two months and we are excited!! Can I just say that again, "We are EXCITED!" We want to go back and get refreshed and recharged to return to the work the Lord has for us here. In the Fall, Molly and I will be taking over a Ladies Prison Ministry. I will share more at a later date but please pray for us. We are here under the auspices of Mark's work but know that God has us here for a much greater work.