last night

as we drove to this place, God showed us his promise(not actual pic).

A national Cambodian holiday gave a few of us a week away. We are in a place that draws a lot of tourists. It's supposed to be a retreat of sorts (along the beach), but I feel this place is anything but. We were out for dinner last night when a young Irish man approached us and told us to come to his bar for free drinks. He went on to say they would kick out all the hookers and we wouldn't be bothered. 

WOW! That struck something so deep in me. And tonight, I lay awake hearing music coming from these bars. His words keep running through my head. It's seemed so easy for him to toss them out with his words. We love these women and we would go to these bars because they are there. They are worthy. They have value. They are not hookers or prostitutes. It is what they do but not who they are. 

Something inside of me wanted to speak up for these women...and tonight, I regret not saying anything. However, I know if I had said anything it wouldn't have been said with the love of Christ which compels us to do what we do.

We have seen many women with customers. The look on their faces says it all. They put on a front when the man is looking, but as soon as he turns away, their expression falls. We can see their pain and feel helpless. They need to know they are precious, valuable, and worthy of love. They work to support their families not because they enjoy it. Most of these women have families who need money, have children to feed and put through school, and some are trying to go to school themselves. They are not trash. 

My heart is stirred tonight. God loves these women so much! God open our hearts to love them more.

if only they knew
if only they knew they could break free from this prison
see their worth
to not be bound by the chains that keep them there
to be set free to fly
to pursue their dreams, to know no limits
god if only they knew
you love them
you have paid for their freedom
you have made a way for them
if only they could see beyond this life
to have hope for so much more
to believe there is purpose
to want to wake up each day
not have to sell themselves
but to love themselves
and to love you
to know you
for eternity
to be healed of their brokenness
and to stand

four months.

Four months.
It's been four months since I have written an update.

Well, I could give many excuses as to why I haven't written, but I struggle to express what I feel. Sometimes I don't even know. The things we see are not normal or right but that is why we are here. That is what we are fighting for.

What can we share, so much has happened....I don't know where to start. It has been full of emotional ups and downs. Over and over. 

Lots of transition. 

New culture.

New language. 

Learning. 

Misunderstandings. 

Uncertainty. 

Dreams. 

Community. 

Amazing people. 

Heartbreaking stories. 

Hong Kong. 

Building relationships with organizations, children, mothers, and women in the bars. 

Being humbled. 

Seeking God in prayer and worship. 

Finding our way in ministry and in the city. 

Bargaining for almost everything. 

Seeing God's promises come to pass. 

Seeing teammates step out into what God has called them to do. 

Seeing God use each of us and seeing what He is redeeming in us. 

It's a new chapter. It's exciting. It's crazy. It's different. It's not easy, but it's the beginning of something BIG!

I just pray that people are drawn to Jesus in us. They will experience the love of Jesus through us. They will come to know and accept him. 

I don't always know what to do. I don't feel strong or capable...but praise God that He IS! I just have to trust and continue to walk.