Thursday, March 17, 2011

Praise and Prayer

Praise: Items successfully brought into Vietnam
Prayer: 10,000 more needed

Praise: Items successfully brought into Laos (more than ever before)

The Communist government allows citizens to have Bibles unless you are of the Mung (sp) tribe. Because they are so numerous, it is illegal for them to own one.
Prayer: That this changes

Praise: Everyone made it to Chiang Mai. Going to meet the kids today. Finally getting this trip started!!
Prayer: That I can settle in and be accepted by the kids, not rely on my own strength, let the love of Christ flow through me onto them so they know they are a treasure

 Prayer: The Thai people have no idea what is going on with the Burmese refugees. Instead they have a misguided view of them as being illegal peasants who will bring in a lot of drugs.

Prayer: The gunfire persists near the camp I will be staying at. Pray that it stops, and the soldiers leave the children alone.

The tsunami is affecting the weather here causing it to be rainy and cold despite the fact that it is summer. I'm enjoying it while it lasts, but that might just be a selfish thing :P

Thank you all for your prayers! My journey is about to begin =)

Proverbs 3:5-6

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Oof

It's our last night it Vietnam. Today we attended a service. What an experience to worship with different languages but to one God. We even sang "How Great Thou Art," my favorite hymn. I am overwhelmed with the love God is pouring on me with His acts and His people.
This afternoon we drove an hour and a half through the countryside (which is so beautiful and green, yet dirty and poor) to view a Vietnam War battlesite, also created by the Communist Party. We saw the craters left behind by the bombs dropped. We also got to crawl through the tunnels that the Vietnamese soldiers used to hide, attack, etc. While crawling through my first tunnel-- which already freaked me out due to its very small size-- a bat flew right by my head, causing me to scream and everyone else to laugh (sigh). Needless to say I was hesitant to crawl through any more after that (I only made it through half of another one once the people in front of me warned there were a couple more).
Tomorrow back to Bangkok to visit an old friend. Should be a good couple of days.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Vietnam

Thank you all for your prayers! We are currently in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Wow. I thought the traffic was crazy in Bangkok... I was wrong. It is CRAZY here. There are at least a hundred motorbikes on each street. Center lines don't mean anything. Lights and pedestrian signs are optional. Blinkers are pretty much nonexistent. I've been honked at but not hit (yet). Oh, did I mention people drive their motorbikes on the sidewalks too?
This city is very fascinating. There is a drastic difference between the poor and rich buildings-- though they are right next to each other. Sidewalk is pretty much just another word for market and chair. There are people EVERYWHERE. There are SO many peddlers and they love us. Many times they will follow you around until you finally buy one of their items. I think I'm going to have a lot of $1 souvenirs when I get home.  
A few hours ago we visited a museum concerning the Vietnam War created by the Communist Party. It was both intriguing, heartbreaking, and a little eye-opening seeing as I did not know much about the war beforehand. It was an interesting experience being able to see it from their point of view. 
We are about to go explore the night market and hopefully eat some dinner. I will talk to you all again soon. 
In Christ's love
-Kelsey

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Bangkok

Alright! After waaay too many hours of flying, we are finally in Bangkok. It was 80 degrees when we landed last night (at midnight) and should get up to the upper 90s later. There's a light breeze now that is keeping me cool but when the humidity reaches its full power-- I'm going to look like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz. We have one day in Bangkok to recooperate before flying to Vietnam tomorrow. Please please pray for safety for the team and the objects we carry. I am excited to see God's hand in this communist country where even reading a Bible is prohibited.
Thanks for all the love everyone! I appreciate your encouragement and prayers. Look forward to talking to you again soon!!!
A bondslave of Christ
-Kelsey

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Almost there!

     Less than three days until I fly out Missoula... wow wow wow. These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. I am so happy to announce that I have reached my financial goal. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for your prayers and support. I am so humbled to be blessed by so many. These past few weeks I have just felt to humbled and in awe of God and His love for me. Why He choose to pour an abundance of love upon a weak and foolish girl like me is beyond my comprehension. I cannot wait to be able to bless these children with the same love I have received from all of you. Praise the Lord for uniting us in one common goal-- Love. No matter where we are or what we have, this is a gift we can always give. Being able to help others understand and experience the love of an all-powerful, all-knowing, Creator God... what better way to live life?!
    As the day that I leave swiftly approaches, I ask for your prayers as I am beginning to get quite nervous. However, every time I begin to give in to my desire to freak out, God reminds me that He is in control and I need not be afraid. Everything involved in preparing for this trip has gone perfectly. When it looked like there could be a potential road-block, it has been immediately resolved. I have no doubt in my mind that God wants me to go on this trip. I already feel like I have grown so much and I haven't even gone there yet. I am ready for my life to be changed, my heart softened, and eyes opened.

"Take my life and let it be all for you and for your glory."

Prayer requests:
-Safe travel and a smooth entrance into Vietnam for the team
-A focused, calm, and brave heart for me

Give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1