On to Phuket!

Hello dear friends and family!

We have moved on to Phuket this week and it is going great so far!  Our time in Phang Nga was such a blessing to us, and we pray that it blessed many Thai people as well.  I think we ended up sharing the Christmas story/ gospel with well over 1500 people during our time there!!  As most of this was in schools, we did not ask for a response most of the time, in accordance with our translators' direction.  However, it seems that some MAJOR seeds were planted during this time in the hearts of children.  Jaime, one of our Thai contacts, told us that it worked that way for her, growing up as a Buddhist.  She heard the gospel as a girl, and then through more thought, God's Spirit, and follow-up, she eventually came to embrace Jesus for herself.  We have been praying a lot that God would continue to speak to the hearts of these kids and cause them to keep thinking about what they heard.  Please join us in praying for this!!

One awesome thing that happened in Phang Nga was that on our last night of ministry, at a Christmas/New Year's party, about 10 people gave their lives to the Lord!!!  Our team was so encouraged by this!  The party was hosted by a local church, who asked for a response to the gospel message, and will be able to follow up with the new believers.  

We have been doing bar ministry in Phuket for about 4 days now.  We are volunteering at a ministry that offers jobs and training to women who are trapped working in the bars/prostitution.  It is incredibly dark and spiritually heavy here, but God has protected us and has been our strength.  There are so many hurting people in such great bondage in this place.  Please pray for God to prepare the hearts of those we meet, and also for their favor.  Not every bar is welcoming to those who don't come to party and spend lots of money there.  We also need prayer for protection over our team.  This ministry is very draining, and it is easy to believe the lies that are so prevalent here.  There is one girl in particular, "Anna," who is very unhappy and dissatisfied with her job as a bar girl.  Please be praying that she will have the courage to leave and try the new job opportunity and discipleship that this ministry is able to offer her!!  God is already helping us to establish great relationships with some women who work in the bars within a short amount of time; we are so thankful for that!  

Jason and I are also very grateful for your prayers, love, and support.  Thanks for standing with us and sharing this ministry to which God has called all of us.  We love you!!