Yesterday morning we woke up in Pattaya, but it feels like 3 days ago! So much has happened!
We were invited to attend the Pattaya Praise orientation at a church in Pattaya because part of our team is leading worship twice in Pattaya Praise.
Pattaya Praise, I have been explaining, is like a mini "Creation" that takes place all over the city. Worship teams come from all over the world and lead worship in different locations in Pattaya - The 4th floor of City Hall, The Entrance to Bali Hi Pier, the Bar street where Tamar Soi 6 is located, Utopia Bar and Lucifer Bar on walking street… You heard that right - we will worship Jesus Christ in Lucifer bar!!
So we woke up early after our late night arrival to get to the church on time. Only, I had never been to that church before, and since it was called Soi 5 Church, I imagined it was right next to Tamar Soi 6… it wasn't. We took a Song Toa down there, walked the whole street, and there was no church to be found. We asked a couple of people, who didn't seem to know what we were talking about. Finally, a taxi driver told us it was far away from where we were, and he would have to drive us! Since there were 9 of us, he called his buddy to bring another taxi. We agreed on the price, hopped in and drove what seemed like half way across Pattaya… to the wrong place! We arrived at the Slum Ministry of Pattaya (connected with YWAM). We were glad we got to see the building, but at this point, we were pretty late for orientation. The Taxi driver asked if we could call someone to give him directions. Since I opted not to get a Thai sim card upon arrival, we couldn't do it - but we showed him our friend Reina's number, and he called her! She gave him directions. The two taxi drivers laughed a littler bit before we got back in the car to go. I hope they were laughing at how incredibly needy we were!
On the way there, Mark reminded me of Joshua 1:3 which was prayed over us: I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. "Well, we just expanded our footprint," he said!
We got to the church in time for the history of Pattaya Praise, worship, and little Thai culture training. During worship, we sang a song I LOVE to sing in youth that goes, "I am free to run, I am free to dance, I am free to live for you, I am free!" For some reason, I was the only one doing the motions. But everyone else there (probably around 100 - 200) made up for it with jumping and congo-lining.
Afterwards, we got some lunch, and took time to rest. Before dinner, we gathered together to pray over our worship team. We were all very expectant and excited about the worship leading they would bring to the table.
That evening was opening night at Bali Hi Pier. It was slightly delayed and had a couple of technically difficulties due to a quick rain right beforehand - but the lord was glorified!!
 |
| I just love that the Pattaya City sign is right above the stage. |
We woke up this morning and headed to City Hall to worship. It was a great space, a breeze blew through occasionally, and I spent most of the time praying and meditating with the occasional singing thrown in.
Cheryl, Sherry, Chris, Jamie, Mardell and I all felt like leaving the worship time a little bit early. Cheryl, Sherry, Chris and Mark would be leading worship twice later on - and wanted to prepare. We hopped in a Song Tao and headed back.
Earlier in the day, I went to get waters for the team. On the way there I was alone and was praying - and cried out to God about how sick I felt listening to fear every time I wanted to pray for someone. Fear of them not understanding me, fear of not seeing the miracle happen, fear of other people thinking I'm weird. "I am just sick of being afraid," I told God. As I walked to get the waters, I decided that today would be a day that I would pray for anyone I wanted to, in spite of fear. Who cares, you know?
As we rode home on the Song Tao, I saw a smiley man walking with severely twisted bow legs. He was walking on the walk along the beach. I wanted him to have straight awesome legs. I was afraid. I remembered my conversation with God, and did the only thing I know how to do - I thought about the steps I needed to take to get my body over to that guy and open my mouth. I played it through in my head. I will make sure Chris knows how to get home. I will let them know I feel like praying for that guy. I will press the stop button. I will pay the driver. I will walk back to the guy. I will say hello… "Chris," I broke the silence of my thought, "Do you know how to get home from here?" I always love this point - really. Because it's the point where you've committed and now you have to follow through! Cheryl jumped, "are you going to pray for that guy!?" She had seen him too! Mardell chimed in, "I'm coming too!"
The three of us approached him and I was so pumped by his massive smile. I used hand motions and talking and smiling to ask him if we could pray for him. He said yes so we did. He said it was alright to lay hands on his legs, and he grabbed my hand in his hand so hard, I was just really excited. We prayed for him twice, with a little walk in between, but didn't see his legs healed. I always take heart in knowing that Heidi Baker prayed 100 times for 100 different blind people to see before one of them ever saw. I hugged him and thanked him. As he walked away, we prayed over him again.
I envisioned Heaven invading earth - Heaven invading Pattaya - but slowly. Every time we prayed it would advance. Think of it like a glowing yellow force field over Pattaya that is prickly. Each prayer sends a prickly thing down in a little further. Sometimes the prickly things go really far, and people come to know Jesus or get healed or get saved from a life of prostitution. And sometimes the prickles only move couple of feet closer. Either way it doesn't matter, we are just gonna keep praying! :-D
God bless you!
Thank you so much for your wonderful prayers and words of encouragement!
We will post in the AM (your PM) about the worship time our team lead tonight! I will give you a hint: it Rocked.
No comments:
Post a Comment