Reading for meaning? That's almost funny!

Language class is challenging, but very important if I'm ever going to communicate in a meaningful way! I've been in school for three months learning to speak Thai. Class is 5 days a week, four hours a day....then I spend many more hours each day trying to memorizing and practicing language!

Last month we started reading and writing. I still haven't figured out why my Thai teacher insists on us writing sooooooo small. To get an idea of how small, I put my watch next to the Thai characters. Notice the size comparison next to the date and the pin on my watch?

There is only one person I know who enjoys writing this tiny...my friend Dr. Jones! CHUCK, where are you when I need you! HELP.

Cultural adjustments

It's hard NOT to notice that Thai people don't seem to be the slightest bit bashful about primping in public. Frequent adjustments of their make-up, hair or clothing in front of mirrors or any object that might reflect, is standard. They are also very comfortable telling OTHERS what they think about your appearance. A good morning greeting could be followed by, "You look very BEAUTIFUL today" or they could just as easily tell you, "You look much FATTER today"

How is it that the topic of a person's appearance has become the favorite conversational pass time for these people? In my home culture these types of spoken comments would be considered quite rude. Why are the Thai so preoccupied with aesthetics?

Then I came to my senses!

Thai people aren't any more preoccupied with appearances than Westerners, they're just more HONEST about it! My Western culture (especially in the US) rates people according to their beauty, wealth, age.... even their education. Sometimes we might be more subtle about these unspoken standards and other times we are very obvious!

We are to thrive!

I have a few plants that seem determined to commit suicide! Today I was giving them a pep-talk (yes, I know...but that's suppose to help them...right?) I reminded them, "I'm trying to help keep you alive! If you wanted to grow and thrive you need to cooperate with me a little."

As I headed back inside my room, I was still thinking, don't these crazy plants want to live? Then, just as quickly as I said these words, I could hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. "Now you know how I feel..."

Everyday our Heavenly Father asks us, "Hey, don't you want to grow and thrive? I'm trying to help you, but you need to cooperate with me a little."

Rainy Season- Ruduu FonTok!

I'm learning about Thailand's seasons in my language class. The rainy season is on it's way! We've already had some huge storms with thunder and lightning like I've NEVER experienced! I've been told we'll be getting lots MORE rain soon..... and on a DAILY basis.

That should be an adventure since every time it rains outside, it also rains inside! Our house is still a work in progress and there are many repairs being worked on, including our roof.



Last week I came home to 3 inches of standing water covering the whole kitchen floor. The plastic water bottles and our flip-flop sandals were floating around in the water like little boats! There was standing water to some degree on all five floors. How could that be? Easy, our flat roof is a GIANT basin that collects water. I's like a big swimming pool, when it can't hold anymore water, it spills INTO the house, down the stairs and into each floor. It makes a waterfall that pours all the way through the house. Hopefully we have someone coming soon to make repairs!

A Taste of Americana?

I was in one of the larger markets this last weekend and noticed they were having a special event! America style foods and treats were being promoted and the store was decorated with US flags and logos. That's fun, I thought....let's see what food item they are featuring!

Yea, Pringles Potato Chips, those are yummy treats.....oops I spoke too soon. When was the last time you dashed out to your local store for some junk food in these tempting flavors?

Lemon Sesame Seed, Grilled Shrimp, Seaweed or BLUEBERRY Hazelnut! How is that last flavor even possible? I don't know, but you might want to pick up a few cans for your next big backyard BBQ.

An unexpected ENCOUNTER!

1:48 in the morning – Woke up to many unpleasant sounds from the neighboring building. I’m now sitting on the floor in the dark, up against my wall. This is as close as I can get to the female on the other side who is now weeping. From the sound of her voice she is Thai, although I have no idea how old. She is enduring a VERY rough sexual encounter with at least one other person. There was a struggle, some desperate pleading, then lots whimpering throughout the ordeal. Only a small amount of plaster separates us. I feel so helpless. She's still weeping. I continue to press my cheek, ear and hands against the plaster wall and call out to Father God on her behalf. Help! Jesus come, Holy Spirit come, you are the Great Comforter…please come to her aide!

2:21 in the morning- As I continue to call out to the Comforter, I hear peaceful singing and gentle strumming like that of a guitar. Where is it coming from? It sounds very close, but definitely not coming from the neighboring building. Perhaps the commotion woke my two roommates down the hall? Maybe they are awake and interceding too. I head down the hall toward their room, but the light is off and the their door is shut. The peaceful melodies continue and although I can’t make out any of the words it sounds familiar. Not wanting to disturb mt roommates I return to my room to continue praying.

2:35 in the morning - Still praying, asking God to reveal himself to the woman on the other side of my wall. Also asking for God's mercy on the hundreds of others in my neighborhood who may be experiencing similar situations. The weeping has quieted some. The soothing tones of worship continue and I am thinking- “Wow, Sandy is really improving with her guitar skills, how is she able to play those chords in the dark?”

2:45 in the morning- Now, I’m feeling inspired. Maybe I should play my favorite Thai worship CD and aim it towards the wall, towards where I heard the woman weeping. If I can hear her, she should be able to hear these words of love. My computer is now aimed at the wall. I fall asleep some time after 3: 10am.

7:30 in the morning- Asked my two roommates how long they stayed awake worshiping last night? They looked quite puzzled at my question. They were sound asleep all night! I asked again, this time recalling how I could clearly hear worshiping, gentle singing and strumming of an instrument until I fell asleep. No other people live in our building! I ask again, "Are you absolutely SURE you didn't leave your computer, radio or CD playing last night?" Janie and Sandy both answered, " No, we left nothing on, no music was playing. Then Janie smiled with excitement and said, “This morning I read these verses in my bible, Zephaniah 3:17." Here are the verses:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he
will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Do you still think God can't hear your prayers?

Do you still think you are alone?

God is mighty to save and He is also our comforter. He wants to quiet our anxious spirit with His melodies of love in the night. WOW!!

Living in a War Zone (Part 2)

Just when you think things are beginning to settle down after an intense week of living in a war zone....more happens! Currently I am recovering from a broken arm which required surgery (two pins placed inside) This injury happened early morning, 6:30am Sunday. The day we celebrate Pentecost.

Since things appeared to be settling down a little, I was headed out to do another prayer walk in my neighborhood, the Nana Plaza area. This is where we live, in the heart of the red light district. It's like living in a spiritual war zone! Customers are lured in to view or (for a price) participate in just about any form of twisted sexual fantasy or indulgence they can imagine in these bars.

Whenever we talk to the men hanging around our area, they usually say, "Hey...we're just out to have a few drinks and some fun with our buddies!" I wonder if they would be so eager to go into some of these bars if they knew; Most women are considered property of the bar, it is very common for bar owners to perform sorcery, witchcraft and covenant with demonic powers INSIDE the bars and ON the women BEFORE these "happy go lucky" men arrive. By inviting these spirits in and worshiped them, bar owners hope to have a lucrative night. These dark forces are INVISIBLE, but very real!

Anyway, with all the recent violence in Bangkok, the bars and everything else are on a mandatory curfew. That means for a short period of time everyday, the Nana Plaza is completely empty. This is very unusual, as the Plaza is always open! It seemed like a perfect time for intercession! If I could get into the main plaza area before 8:00am, it would be quiet enough to prayerfully walk through each corridor and declare God's promises from the scriptures without drawing to much attention.

Worshiping, declaring and speaking God's words of hope, life and freedom to the captives, doesn't usually sit well with the spiritual forces of darkness! You should never do such things casually, as it is like entering a war zone without any protection or weapons! It is necessary to be well prepared and well covered by the Spirit of God.

Well, I only made it a few steps out my door that morning before I was sabotaged. I fell VERY hard onto the white marble flooring, catching all my weight on one arm. But what did I fall on? I could see nothing!

Although I was INSIDE the apartment building, clear water had pooled the entire length of our entrance. It was a completely INVISIBLE water slick right outside my door! As my friends helped me to the hospital, they were VERY careful not to step into ANOTHER water slick along the way, but there were no others- Just the one in front of our door!

So, what do you make of that? I'm not exactly sure. There is STILL much to learn about spiritual warfare. This broken arm is only a minor set back!

Living in a war zone (Part 1)

Much has happened in the past week, there is no way to replay it all, to explain the intensity, or describe our emotions. So I'll give you a quick recap.

FIRST- My house mates and I relocated three times due to the threat of violence in our neighborhood and the unpredictability of a raging civil war in close proximity. We evacuated our building in the Nana, then became somewhat stranded on the 22 floor of a friend's condo. Since we were without power, water, Internet communications, we temporarily relocated again. (Quite an adventure hiking up and down 22 flights of stairs during a power-outage, in the Bangkok heat, while breathing in all the fumes from burning tires and buildings!)


Shortly after we resettled an announcement came on our cell phones (via our news update system). The Red Shirt leader had surrendered! REALLY? This was Wednesday the 19th. The odd things was that within an hour or so of that announcement, we witnessed Many more acts of violence in our city. Multiple explosions were set off and fires were started. Banks were set a blaze, world class shopping malls burnt to the ground, utility buildings, public and private property, transportation stations were all targeted. From our view point, black clouds of smoke filling our sky and from our windows we could see a large building totally engulfed in flames.


During this up evil, Annie made contact with one of our NightLight girls. Her family members were able to escape the riot area and take refuge at our NightLight building. We also had another NightLight girl bring some of her family members to our home. It was nice to be a "safe oasis" to this young mother, her 6 month old baby and a 4 year old boy.

We are glad we stayed and didn't evacuate the Bangkok area during the rioting. Although it was pretty stressful, we wanted to remain close to our neighborhood and the NightLight girls just in case they needed help.

We are all safe and things have settled down some. Thank you for your prayers and financial provisions. Those resources allowed me to help to others, especially since all major banks were closed for a period and many ATM's were empty. Most of the local people live one day at a time, with little to no savings. Now that many businesses have been destroyed, there is little work available. At this time a mandatory curfew for all people in Bangkok is still in effect.

Things aren't always Black and White

It’s deeply disturbing, I thought as we approached a child dancing on top of a battered plastic red stool in front of the Nana Plaza.

As we came closer, it was easier now to see, this was not a young girl, but a young boy. He appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old? His brown skinny legs and lanky arms moved slow, but awkwardly in the nightlights as he tried to mimic the rhythmic sensual moves of the women who work this area.

His bare, grimy feet managed to keep balanced on his 10 inch, make-shift stage. He wore a short, sheer “nightie” styled dress and his childlike face was smudged with too much makeup. It was a sight hard to describe, warped and full of disparity.

As my team mates began to engage this young boy in a conversation, he slowly climbed down and sat on his small plastic stool. He was hungry. In his troubled, young mind, I’m sure this seemed like the solution. There were no parents there to help him. He had no one to cook him a hot meal, draw him a bath or read him a story before climbing into a soft bed. Who did he belong to? For a small fee, apparently anyone!

Did all those sitting, watching from the crowded bars across the way, think this was just one more “bizarre” form of nightly entertainment in Nana Plaza?

The work we do here in Bangkok isn’t glamorous; there are times we struggle with how to handle these heart breaking situations. Everyday, women and young children are exploited on the streets in our neighborhood.

How do we keep from becoming callused to the frightful things we see daily? How would Jesus respond to these situations? What are the best long term solutions to such problems? The answers are not always black and white.

Sometimes ministry is simply loving the one, showing compassion to a confused, frightened little boy, offering some kindness and a few grilled meat-kabobs.

It seems like so little… how we long to do so much more.

Love, Kathy

Staking a Claim?

Who will influence the children of the next generation?


Is it possible that while the Christian community quietly relaxes in a comfortable recliner reading the latest article on how to "Be a Christian and not Create Waves", the Islam community is aggressively establishing Muslim prayer rooms in our favorite Department Stores?

Don't be fooled. There are millions of Muslims willing to go after those "unreached people" all around the world, including Thailand! There are billions of Buddhist who still have no clear understanding of who Jesus is, or that they were created by the loving and powerful God of the universe. These unreached people aren't going to magically hear about Jesus Christ if the Christian community remains silent or cloistered away from them. Have we become too concerned with being proper, non-intrusive, or politically correct to be of any significant impact on the world around us?

How does one become compelled, to reach out, to embrace people with the Good News and love of Jesus? If we aren't concerned about such things, don't worry, our bold Muslim neighbors are willing to fill in the gap...and if they don't, the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are also out in full force! They aren't just visiting your local neighborhoods, or setting up shop at the corner market, they are sending their people to other lands to stake a claim. They are finding creative ways to build relationships and establish themselves in new communities. Wake up people.

Advantages to living in the Nana- You get a front row seat to the Songkran festivities!

Yesterday my roof became the perfect place to hang out after I'd had enough water activities! Six stories up on our top deck we have a very long garden hose. The hose came in handy to spray unsuspecting "passers-by" in true Songkran style! Got a lot of laughs and the guy across the way decided to do the same from his roof. Who says you have to be fluent in language to influence people- just kidding!

Songkran

The view from our front door. Across the street the crowds are beginning to gather for a Songkran water fight!

No one is safe from the water and powder "blessing", but we did have a slight advantage over our neighbors.....we put our garden hose to good work from our roof top. Look out below!

I am drenched from head to toe, but luckly I wrapped my computer in plastic before leaving the house.

What can we learn from the Thai and their Songkran Festival?

Right in the middle of heated RED Shirt demonstrations, killings and blood curses against the government....the Thai people take a three day "time-out" to celebrate Songkran.

For the next three days most of the waring in the Kingdom will come to a halt. It's such an odd thing. The atmosphere has shifted from angry fighting mobs with knives and guns...to laughter, dancing and water fights in the streets with giant plastic guns.

Maybe EVERY WARING NATION should consider such a "time-out". They should consider taking out their aggressions with giant orange and green plastic, semi-automatic water guns. It's hard to stay angry at each other when you're being chased down the street by someone in miss-matched flip-flops, a flower printed shirt and a hot pink wig!

This little guy is getting an early start to the Songkran Festival. Songkran is some what like our New Year’s Celebration in the US. Songkran is celebrated from April 13-15th. It's a three day, Kingdom-wide block party, water fight! Lots of celebrating, dancing and usually excessive drinking- not water!

Although the origin of the Songkran festival is embedded in layers of ancestor and idol worship; there are some redemptive analogies to observed in this culture. This Songkran, may the people of Thailand draw their attentions to the One, True God, who washed away all our sins and made us clean through Jesus. May they hunger and thrist for truth and come to know what it means to drink of the Living Water.

The Songkran is a time for Thai people to honor those who are older. A blessing of appreciation is given to them by pouring fragrant water over their hands and feet.

Our girls at the ministry center prepare for Songkran by gathering water, consecrating it by means of prayer and then adding some fragrant flowers. Next, it's time to gather all the "older" people- yes, as you can see by the picture below, I qualified.

The pouring of water begins. As we sit in a long row of chairs outside, all the younger women come through on their knees (one by one) and pour water on us and speak a short blessing.

Towards the end of this ceremony the water then gets poured everywhere else- Oh, accidentally down your back, on your head or with ice water etc. It is expected and all in goods fun! This is the subtle que that the water fight is about to begin! In a few minutes EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET DRENCHED.

For the next three days, anyone, anywhere is a target. If you step out of your house, chances are you will get very wet. After you're soaking wet, someone might come by and throw powder on you. Then you look like a ghost! Sorry, no Songkran photos of myself in this lovely condition as my camera is not water proof! So enjoy these photos of others getting soaked.

Young, old, native Thai or Foriegners- everyone is in on the action. School and most major businesses are closed. which is good because you can't get to work without getting totally wet!

In the North of Thailand, even the elephants get in on the Songkran action!

What is NightLight all about?

Simple and Fresh

Easter weekend I treated myself to something I really enjoy- a Thai cooking class! We shopped at local outdoor markets and were taught how to chopped, sliced, peel and prepare all of our own food in an authentic style- while sitting on the floor!

The secret to good Thai food is fresh ingredient that is cooked quickly. This includes the soups and curries. In the states we might cook a soup all day to extract the flavors, but here you crush (pulverize with a stone pestle ) many of the spices to release the flavors. We made five courses from scratch and cooked them outside on the deck. It was a really fun experience and I enjoyed every bite!

Thai people are very creative. Who would of thought it was possible to put ice cream in a hot dog bun, then drizzle carnation evaporated milk over it!

....or make donuts shaped like Sushi.

Jesus washed their feet...

In Thailand feet are considered an unclean part of a person's body. For this reason, it is considered rude to point your feet towards another while seated, to use your feet to move an object or to step over a person.

After a full day of work and a night of walking the streets, visiting the bars of Bangkok, it's easy to see why FEET are considered unclean! Even though I was wearing sandals, the bottoms of my feet were black! This adds to my understanding of what it must have been like for Jesus to wash all the feet of His disciples- one of His last acts of service before He was ushered away to be crucified.

Satan is the ultimate PIMP!

We live in the redlight district, so it is not unusual to see many things that grieve our spirits. However we have noticed something different in the past few days. As there has been an increase of worship, praise and declarations of God's intentions over our future outreach center, we noticed something else increasing!

There has been an obvious increase from the opposing side! The schemes and intentions of the enemy are literally being posted all around us. As we stand on our roof top and gaze to the left, we noticed a large new sign! The name of the Club is SIN- that's an interesting name! Do you think it's a coincidence?

In addition, directly across from our building, a local bar owner has been remolding. Today we have the "unveiling" of the new owner's dream! This enormous banner is now on display as a blatant contrast to everything we are committed to for this area. Satan is the ultimate Pimp! He is the ultimate abuser and exploiter of women.

In the spiritual realm, I see this as stake in the ground! The forces of darkness have "posted notice" directly across from the very location we have claimed for the Kingdom of Heaven. Their banner is visible from every window, from every floor of our future outreach center! No this is not a coincidence!



As you can see, it's not a beer commercial, or an advertisement to stay at a nearby Hotel. It is a massive billboard that celebrates the exploitation of women. It is an obvious declaration of what the forces of darkness hope to accomplish. We are in a war zone! The battle is over the souls of many. We war not with flesh and blood but invisible forces and principalities that are in direct opposition to the heart of the Heavenly Father.

We will continue to rejoice, knowing that our God is might to accomplish His purposes... even when the forces of darkness press in from all sides! Our God is the ultimate lover of people. WE believe He has targeted the women in our area to become precious daughters of the King of Kings!

Hey, we have company...again!

In between everything else that happens here at NightLight, we also have a lot of visitors! Bethel Redding has blessed us with intercessors, and a children's ministry team. We also have had Annalynn McCord, from 90210 and her dear friend Jessica with us for the past few days.

Don't believe everything you hear about celebrities. Annalynn was a delight. I truly enjoyed meeting and spending time with her. She and Jess were able to joined our teams for worship, outreach, prayer and even participated in game time with our NL girls!

Although Annalynn and Jessica live very public lives, there is still a tenderness about them. They are amazing young women, friendly, generous, creative and compassionate. Like the rest of us, they are not perfect, their private and professional lives are very challenging, but they are determined to make a difference in the world.

There original motivation for visiting NL was to connect with Annie and see where, when and how things work. They expected to come and support our team, but God had another idea. He determined to make THEM the target of His affection! God saturated them both in His gentle love, kindness and peace. They weren't expecting such an intimate encounter with their Heavenly Father! God is so good. He loves us all so much!

We will continue to pray for God's continual blessings and protection over Annalynn and Jessica as they return to their busy lives in Hollywood and New York.

Jeannie Mai, another friend of Annie's and a celebrity in the fashion industry, stopped by a week ago for a short visit. We all enjoyed lunch together (It was Annie's Birthday) and everyone had a good time eating, listening to stories and laughing. Jeannie Mai radiates energy and she beams when she smiles! It is obvious she loves Jesus and she's always looking for opportunities to bring the issue of Human Trafficking before the public whenever she can.

We have had multiple teams from Bethel Church in Redding California come to encourage us. They come in like Holy Spirit waves, one after another! Intercession, healing, worship and joy seem to linger here long after their ministry teams leave. Almost all of our NL girls have received significant personal prayer time with Bethel's intercessors and their students from the . Plenty of prophetic words and encouragement for everyone!



Randy Clark was in our neighborhood a few weeks ago! He and is team held a conference just around the corner from our main office. How cool is that! It was great to see so many Thai people eager to learn more about Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit. We will continue to pray for a great mobilization of Thai Believers. We look forward to the day when the Kinddom of Thailand is no longer considered a "Unreached" nation!

Currently we have visitors from Expression 58 in LA and from Iris Ministries Sudan. What a blessing to be connect in such unique ways to so many amazing people! We have a massive extended family through Christ! I continue to learn and grow from each group that comes to minister along side us. I love hearing and sharing testimonies of the miraculous work God is doing! When the glory and power of Jesus shows up, the blind see, the lame walk and demons are sent fleeing. What a mighty God we serve.