ThanksGiving

      

The Bible says over and over again to give thanks to the Lord....so this post is to give thanks for His great love and faithfulness and to declare and share it. <3

The past few weeks in Red Light District ministry have been very blessed, and I am so grateful for that. 

#1: Due to the fact it's typhoon season, Hong Kong leans towards random rainy weather from incoming storms. (No worries, these typhoons would hardly register as a 3 on the hurricane scale.) So on a Wednesday night, we gathered in the worship room for a time of intercession for our street Red Light District. We pressed in and prayer and worshipped. Dancing, flags, prayers! We ended up on our faces, prostrate on the ground in worship and surrender to the God of Heaven- the One who REALLY loves these people, more than we ever could. 

#2: The next night we went to the cities Red Light District and had a great time building relationships with the Mama Sans (the ladies who "take care" of the girls and try to get the men to come into the bar/brothel). Some of our team member were able to pray with a few of them!

#3: The week after this, we went to our Red Light District street, and I got to see Chuckie, who was sober and he said he had not been drunk in weeks. Praise the Lord! Near the end of the night, we found out it was one of guys (a Muslim) birthday. Before l left, I walked over to him and wished him a happy birthday, shakin this hand. He cordially rose with all the dignity of a king from the dirty sidewalk on which he had been sitting. Thanking me graciously, he then asked- where is my present? I laughed and said I didn't know it was his birthday! Then the Lord reminded me of a bag of candy I had bought that day, so I pulled it out and handed it to him. He denied the gift, saying no! I cannot take this! Finally he relented and offered it around to all his friends there. He was so happy...

I also got to pray with two of my Indian girls that. Normally, when I ask how they are doing, they rebuff me quickly with a "fine" and ignore me the rest of the night. However, this time, they actually answered. One had a headache that was causing great pain, another had a sister who was in serious condition at a hospital back in India. they both allowed prayer, and afterwards, we just sat together, enjoying each others company.

#4: The next night had a difficult moment as we returned again to the city Red Light District, and watched as one of the girls was escorted with a man old enough to be our father or grandfather. With our hearts hurting, we prayed for her and hoped that someday, she would be able to return home Permenantly. There was some good relationship building with the girls and mama sans that night too!

#5: This past week, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a French Buddhist. Most of it involved me listening to his heart and some of his story, which he said made an impact on him. Nobody had ever listened to him like that before, and he normally does not even speak with people, preferring meditation and suffering to further his path to enlightenment. As my partner and I left, I spotted one of the girls. Sitting down with her, we spoke and she asked for prayer for her family and her daughter. While in prayer, she started to cry and God gave me a word to tell her, "I see your heart, I see your dreams. I love you." After the prayer, she quickly wiped away her tears during the hug, and rebuilt the wall the tears had torn down. We said goodbye and my partner and I headed off into the night, finishing with a prayer walk, and a late dinner at McDonald's. (Even missionaries forget to eat sometimes!)

#6: The next night seemed to be bois night, as the Lord kept opening doors in conversations with the men on the local area. We spoke with a man who runs a bar who has a heart to have Bible studies in his bar, we spoke with a French man who was confused about the love of God for all people and after that conversation and a prayer, he said he seen a little more light and maybe he could believe in that. We also had a great time speaking to the mama sans again, as they allowed us to talk with them about their past and families. 

The past few weeks of minsitry have been inspiring and strength giving as I have seen God's great love shown to people in need of the reminder. He is a good God. With good plans and an amazing purpose. 

Go with God this week, much love to all my people in the world. <3

Peace&Blessings

~Ashley

~*~Leave a Legacy that will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~