Hope

So many people have asked how our trip was. How do I put 10 days of an emotional roller coaster into just a few words? It was amazing, inspiring, beautiful, heartbreaking just to say in a few words.

Hope: A girl in one of the safehouses sat sewing beads on the jewelry bags. The girls all get to design their own bags. This sweet girl sat sewing quietly with such a peaceful smile. She had scars up and down both of her arms. She was a cutter. She said there were times she didn't even feel human or alive until she saw the blood. She wasn't a believer, but all of the bags she was designing said God is love, Lamb of God, I love Jesus. God is working on her heart.

One safehouse has a waiting list. This is too bad for the girls who need to get in, but it's good they are reaching out to so many that there is a waiting list.

A girl at the another safehouse gave her testimony. Through her salvation, her husband came to Christ and they were finishing up counselling then taking the gospel back to their home village. And the fire spreads a little more.

The girls testimonies of slavery and freedom were such a smack in the face representation of each and every one of us. We are all born into the bondage of sin. We are separated from our Father. Until we accept His sacrifice.

Ezra 9: 8-9 "But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in His sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness..."

Psalm 103:1-6 "Praise the Lord o my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not His benefits-who forgives all your sins, and heals all your disease, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed."

I had thought I praised Him with all my inmost being, but I hadn't. There are things I'd hold back, I just didn't give Him my all. Our Thai sisters give Him their all. They don't have much, but they give it all and put me to shame. I am totally inspired and hopefully will do better. I am stubborn. I don't follow Him like I should. Many times I think I know a better path to take. I am so in love with Him and thankful He never gave up on me. He carries me-daily. I fail daily and instead of giving up or letting me wonder too far, He carries me.