The Journey

In a little over 3 months, I will be embarking on what people tell me will be "the trip of a lifetime."  On December 8, Wanda York and I will depart Atlanta, GA and make our way to Pattaya, Thailand.  As time draws nearer, I have been pondering exactly what it is I expect to get out of this trip.  Well, first of all, I will get to see my babies, Makaila and Joshua as well as Joseph and Sai.  We will get to spend four weeks together, including Christmas.  But, as wonderful as that will be, that is just the icing on the cake, because I am going to get to be a part of God's work in Thailand, if only for a few short weeks.

This will be my very first mission endeavor.  You might be shocked at this revelation, but it is true.  I have sent my boys out on mission trips, I have gone to many church camps and retreats, but never a mission trip.  How blessed I am to get to share this new experience with my own family leading the work.  I am amazed at God's timing and how His plans unfold in the perfect way and time.  I never thought I would be able to make this happen, and you know what?  I didn't.  This is all His doing in His time.  I wasn't sure I would be able to take so much time off work, but no problem there.  Then I knew for sure I didn't have the financial means to pull this off, but again, no problem there, God had all that covered and worked out before it was even a glimmer of a thought in my mind.
 

So, passport has been renewed and plane tickets purchased, and I am beginning to really get excited.  I am excited to go to the pier to pass out Bibles to people who don't own one and who are hungry to receive God's Word.  I can't wait to see the excitement on their faces and the light in their eyes as they open them up to read them as they walk down the pier.  I can't wait to capture these moments in my camera to share them with you, so you can be a part of God's wondrous work, also.  "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  Isaiah 40:8 NKJV

I can't wait to see the children at the Agape Home and be the recipient of hugs and the giver of a touch of God's love to these precious children.  To pray over them in person for God's protection and their eventual salvation.  I can't wait to be able to help provide meals for their families and maybe do something special for them at Christmas.  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 John 4 NKJV

I can't wait to visit the slums and share some of God's love to these people.  You might think that it is crazy to be excited to go to the slums, but I believe this will be a life changing moment for me.  We have so much in America, so to be able to minister to those who truly have nothing is going to be so very hard, but so very rewarding I believe.  "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1 John 3:17 NKJV

I can't wait to go to the disabled women's home and see in person the smiling faces of these precious ladies.  This too will be a very hard ministry because these are women who have no one to love or take care of them.  They have been abandoned by friends and family and are alone except for each other.  Yet when I see pictures of their smiling faces, all I see is God's love shining in their eyes.  "But through love serve one another."  Galatians 5:13 NKJV

Brian told me the other day that this trip will change my life and I will never be the same.  He knows, because he spent two weeks in Thailand with Joseph and Sai this summer and came back a new man with a renewed vigor for serving God.  Well, I am ready for a change.  I am ready to be moved out of my comfort zone for once.  I pray that God will use me not only in Thailand but at home also.  I pray that He will prepare my heart now as I prepare to go and that I will allow Him to work in and through me to serve Him as He sees fit.

I covet your prayers as I take this journey.  Prayers for safety, health, stamina, but most of all for a willing heart ready and able to be used by Him.  I can't wait to update you on all that God is doing and how He is blessing.

In His Love,  

Pam