how it all started.

As I was thinking about writing this blog, the lyrics of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song came to mind:

Now, this is a story all about how

My life got flipped-turned upside down

And I liked to take a minute just sit right there

And I tell you how I became..........................a "missionary" to Cambodia.

I still find it hard to say I am a "missionary". I haven't really done anything, but I am preparing to go to Cambodia. On June 10th, I fly from Portland, Oregon to my new home in Phnom Penh on June12th. Crazy!

How did I get here?

Well, in October 2011, I went to Harvest School, in Mozambique. I came in exhausted, not really sure if I wanted to be in ministry anymore. I was drained and felt like I had nothing left to give. Heidi and Rolland Baker stood before the school and spoke about so much, but the key was being in the presence of God. They have been in ministry a long time. They have been through so many things that would cause most people to question what they are doing and if it is worth it, but God has been so faithful and they continue.

I found rest in the presence of God. It wasn't always easy, but it was good.

Throughout the school, many speakers came and shared. I learned so much and experienced God in new  and powerful ways. He began to change my heart. I used to dream about African children and thought about living there, but I started to see different people in my dreams.  

Jason and Kellie Holbeche came and spoke about the needs in Cambodia, especially for the boys. I started to become undone, and with a few friends, we tearfully prayed for the people and the country that day. 

This is where it began. 

I started seeing Cambodian children playing in my dreams. Girls that had been sexually abused were being brought to us for prayer and we were encountering the Holy Spirit so intensely. Also, I have heard these words spoken in my dreams, "These children are like DIAMONDS, precious and valuable." and "I have set the captive free by discourse."

God has truly been at work in my heart and mind. I would have never guessed that I would be returning to SE Asia or even moving there. But that is the journey God has me on, and for now, all I can do is go. 

Please keep us in your prayers. Our team is assembling and it is an amazing team! God is faithful and so good! 

Love, Amy

Redemption in Thailand

(blog from March 9, 2012)
I am in Pattaya, Thailand and feeling so free and light of the burdens and hurt I carried from my last experience in Thailand. God promised me redemption if I came, and I found it on one of the darkest streets in Pattaya.

Let me back track for a moment. I came to Phuket, Thailand in November 2010, on the World Race. I felt sick and was barely able to stay standing most days. Satan attacked me physically, spiritually, and emotionally everyday. I have never had to fight so hard to get through a month, and I never wanted to return to Thailand.

Never say never to God.

Two months after returning from the WR, I attended Iris Ministries Harvest School in Mozambique. It's a mission training school led by Heidi and Rolland Baker. I was so confused why I was there. I didn't want to do ministry. I didn't want to be around so many people. I didn't want to be around children(that was the big shocker). However, over the course of two months, God restored me and was preparing me to return to SE Asia.

"I am not strong enough God! I can't do it!" I said through my tears. I was afraid.

God showed me that this was why he is taking me back, because I can't do it alone. I need to depend on him. The Iris team is setting up a base in Thailand and Cambodia. I feel God calling me to serve in Cambodia, but he wanted me to come to Thailand first.

I went through the same motions, why am I here...God, I don't understand?

The first week in Bangkok was hard; I felt the spiritual warfare much differently. It was subtle and deceptive. Our team split and I came to Pattaya with eight others. The other night, we went near Walking Street(a street with lots of bars), to visit The Bridge, a center for children to come at night while their parents are working in the bars. It was there that everything changed. We prayed over a little girl, who has CP. I got to hold her and help her eat. Something broke off me in the spirit, I felt it, and my team noticed. I can't explain it. I felt joy, peace, and love for this little girl and found redemption for Thailand in my heart. It came in the form of a child.


The next night we went to worship and walk through the bars on Soi 6, I saw hope and light for the first time. God is redeeming Thailand and has brought redemption to me. He delivers on his promises.

The darkness will not have a hold on this place much longer! Praise the Lord as he continues to do MARVELOUS things!!