Second Stop: Thailand.
While in Thailand, we have been working with an organization called Shoulder 2 Shoulder ,which helps Thai tribe students who can’t afford and/or don’t have the emotional, physical, or spiritual help at home to help them become successful adults.
One of the things we did that impacted me the most was visiting families who have HIV. While visiting them, we gave them food, sang worship songs, and prayed for them. Some of the students from Shoulder 2 Shoulder came with us. In those minutes of singing and praying, I could actually feel the presence of God with us. While we sang, I prayed over and over for the salvation of each family. I prayed that they would come to know the powerful one true God, Jesus Christ, since they believe in many Gods!
Being with those families was emotional for me. My heart broke not only for their sickness but for their souls because they desperately needed Jesus. When I walked into the room of a man on his death bed, I saw that his bones were sticking out through his skin. He had no extra weight. It was a shocking view to see a person so frail and so in need of Jesus since time was running out. He had no voice and no hearing so he could not communicate with us but I know the Lord is sovereign enough to speak to Him. The man did reach out his hand to each of us though as we prayed and sang over him. Before we left, I prayed that the Lord would give him clarity long enough to accept the gift of salvation and spend eternity in paradise.
About an hour ago, we found out that the old man died. Bill, the missionary, told us that the man cried, had peace and died. According to the man’s daughter, she had never seen him cry before. I’m not sure what he was crying about, but I hope he made the decision to believe & trust in God! I hope to see the old man when I get to heaven!
If you’re reading this and not a believer, it’s not too late! Jesus LOVES you with an overwhelming, steadfast love that is incomprehensible. It is a love you have never experienced. I promise you it’s worth it!
It says in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is perfect. Everyone has missed the mark. Just like with anything, a mistake has a consequence. The consequence of sin is death. In Romans 6:23 Paul writes, ” For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Good news is that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. While we were stuck in our sin, Jesus still died as payment on our behalf. Once we choose him, we no longer have “condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So how do you choose him? Cry out! ” If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10. Once we choose him, we are new! ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If you’re reading this and a Christian, share the Gospel with someone you know who desperately needs a message of hope! It is not too late. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to share Jesus with someone. You just have to be obedient.
As I’m typing this, people are packing up, cleaning and we leave for Uganda in about 3 hours. Please pray for the following as we leave:
– Shoulder 2 Shoulder – $$ to build boy’s home, sponsors for 4 students, $$ for the HIV ministry
– continued healing for the sickness going on in the team
– team unity
– keeping our eyes focused on Him
– safe travels to Uganda
Thank you for reading this! I’m praying for all of you. 😀
