Almost...

Outreach is almost done and soon this time away from my home land will be done. And I maybe have started my count down to home too early. Only Sip Hok (16) days. Now I may not have totally enjoyed my time here in Pattaya., but today on our last day of ministry, I was reminded of how totally impacting the little things we have done here are.

At the mall today I was about to sit down with an iced coffee (sadly not as good as my ice break) and start my 1000 page evaluation, when a young Thai women came running towards me with the biggest smile on her face waving like a mad women. For a moment I wasn't sure if she was waving at me or someone else. Then I recognised her, and I was totally blown away.

Two weeks ago, the girls from our team went out with staff from the Tamar Centre* to talk to the women who worked at the bars. During this time I was able to pray for a young women and share God love with her. She also bet me at Connect Four so many times that I don't think I will ever play that game again. I spoke to her for maybe half an hour but that was enough. Enough for her to recognise me at the mall today, to run over to me and to hug me like a long  lost friend. It brought tears to my eyes. As she left and rode the escalator to the next floor she smiled and waved to me the whole way up. I thought that was probably the last I would see of her, but I was mistaken. About two hours later she came back down the escalator, saw me again, dug deep in her bag and pulled out her camera. She hugged me again as we had a photo together and then she was gone.

Sadly I cannot remember her name, but I do know that she has two children and a nephew at home in Northeast Thailand that she is supporting, and her story is one that you hear everyday here in Pattaya. We are lucky enough to be leaving this dark city tomorrow. But for so many women, such as my friend, they are not able to. But there is hope and I can see that. God is at work here in this city and every little bit we do helps shine God's light a little bit more.


*Tamar Center is a center for help, healing and hope, offering women who are wanting to change their lives opportunities to do so.
http://www.ywamthai.org/tamar/