We're Back!

I honestly can't believe all this stuff happened.

I could go on and on about each day (and do plan to in the future). But for the sack of brevity in this post, I'll summarize.

It was a life-changing experience. God has shown himself to be faithful. He showed me that Jesus is the answer. He showed me that the Gospel is moving and changing lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He showed me that He can use even me, even in my faults and unworthiness, to make the Christ known. He showed me that in my weakness, He will strengthen me and equip me to do His will. He showed me that when His body, the church, abounds in love and works together we can accomplish mighty things for Him! He showed me that He can use the ordinary to do the extraordinary!

So what did we do?

We had fellowship with the ZOE family - children who are orphaned, at risk or rescued from human trafficking, parents, staff, and ministry students.

One of the electives I taught was scratch art.  These kids are creative!

With ZOE ministry students and OEM, the Korean church who was there at the same time, we shared the gospel at a remote Lisu village five hours into the Thai country.  Ten villagers came to know Jesus as Savior!

We went to a nearby school and shared the creation story and the ZOE ministry students shared the Gospel. Many students came to faith!  We received over 170 cards of commitment.

We went to a children's home (not a ZOE children's home), and it was heartbreaking to see their conditions... 28 orphaned children under one father and mother as caretakers.  We were able to bring them not only food, toys, supplies, and blankets, but most importantly, something that lasts forever. An opportunity for them to meet their Savior and Lord, Jesus. Some were saved that night!

Thank you.  Thank you for your support financially and prayer.  You were a direct part of this trip. Your contributions paid for gas for us to visit the villages, it paid for food, toys, supplies for our outreach as well as for some activities and food time spent to fellowship with the ZOE family.  Your prayers prepared us to share the love of Christ from our hearts, actions, and our mouths, it allowed hearts to receive the message of the Gospel. Praise God for brothers and sisters like you! I'm thankful that we share in the same Father, the same Spirit, and the same Savior.

Please continue to pray:

1. That the souls that came to know Christ during this trip would grow to know Him more through His Word.  That they would be followed up on so that they can be kept accountable in their walk.
2. That each member of the team would be strong as they jump back into the tasks of life back here at home.  That they would chew on what happened each and every day and the lessons taught by God would be carved into our hearts.  That we would hold up shields of faith to extinguish the flaming darts that the evil one would throw at us to discourage us, and we would put on the armor of God. That each of us would be able to discern what God's will for us is in missions.
3. That the ZOE family would be encouraged in the love that God shown through us. That ministry students would be fueled to share the gospel fervently and lovingly in the villages.  That God would send more workers in the field.  That the Ahns (full time missionaries from our home church Lighthouse Community Church in Torrance) would be encouraged and strengthened by the team's visit!

I plan to make more blog updates to go over each day in detail. If it interests you, please check back every few days. Thanks for reading!

In His service,
Anthony