As you go

I recently got a haircut. My supervisor told me about a reputable local shop that she had been to. Even better, she told me the stylist was open to spiritual conversations. 

Emma and I were in the salon for nearly three hours (much longer than we ever anticipated). Emma got her roots touched up while I sat on the couch scrolling on my phone, trying to be productive somehow. 

Eventually, they started washing my hair so they could cut it. For a long time, I sat there quietly, just wanting my hair to be done so we could leave and go to a market for some fun. 
But I kept feeling the need to talk to him, so I started simple by asking him about his job. 

Eventually, I heard him mention that he goes to the temple to relax. This was a perfect in to religion. I shared the Gospel, and then he shared a dream he had. He used his best English, but when that failed, acting came into play. His dream showed Jesus being lifted up on the cross, being on the cross, and then dying. Emma got to share the Gospel shortly after. 

He sat down to start back at my hair, but Emma told me later he was tearing up, trying to compose himself. Since then, we've invited him to church, as he showed interest. 

Pray for this man, that he would make Jesus his Lord and Savior. 
Pray that there would be more dreams like this for our hairdresser and for others. Pray for this man to encounter more Christians who will proclaim the truth. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19. May we make disciples as we go.

Encouragement from a Friend

This week, I have been reminded of God's redemptive hand in people's lives. As we have gone around college campuses, we asked students, "What is your biggest fear?". 

I suspect their answers are the same as college students' back at home: "loneliness," "uncertainty about the future," "being a disappointment." These responses, while poignant and real, have come in stark contrast to the conversations we've had with our national believer friends. 

I recently hear the testimony of a local friend, who shared that she came to Thailand to pursue further studies after being exhausted from working 66-hour work weeks at her job back home. She felt like her whole life was consumed by work; she didn't have time to think about what she wanted or spend time with her friends. She felt like life had lost all meaning. 

Knowing she needed a change, she decided to pursue further education through an opportunity in Thailand. While here in Thailand, a missionary shared the gospel with her. This was the first time she felt the doors open to ask God what she should do with her life instead of doing what was expected of her. God was clear: He told her to stay in Thailand and not to return to her old job. She extended her studies another two years instead of returning to China. Slowly, as she entrusted her life to Christ, she began to experience his freedom in tangible ways. She began to enjoy life here, to understand who God had made her to be and also develop a rich community of deep friendships through her church.  Hearing her testimony, I am reminded of how clearly God knows what we need better than we do. This beginning of this friend's story is very similar to that of the students we have encountered on campus. We all share some of the same universal fears, and God knowingly built an instruction manual for how to address that. The practical needs of our bodies and spirit are not missed by the Creator. 

Please pray that we are able to share with college students about the God who has an answer to our great anxieties, so we don't have to live a life of fear. Please pray that there will be more testimonies like that of our local friend! 

People Just Like Us

Sometimes it is really hard to connect with or conceptualize the lives of those overseas. Spending time here makes you realize they live lives very similar to our own. They wake up, go to school, work, or the grocery store. You see children out playing or university students meeting their friends for coffee. They struggle with the same things we do: finances, relationships, and health. 

In the United States, it can be easy to be disconnected from the rest of the world. It can be hard to feel invested in the work being done overseas with people you do not know. 

We have had the privilege to connect with some locals here to be translators for us as we go on the college campuses. One of our translators shared her story with us. Hearing it really connected us more, especially on a personal level. 

Mia shared that she grew up in a Buddhist household but went to a Catholic school. She had many questions about God growing up, but she never asked. Eventually, Mia moved away to go to college, where she lived for herself and faced many struggles. One day, a former classmate of hers invited her to church. This began her journey of coming to know Jesus and what He did for her. Mia actually got baptized not too long ago, praise the Lord. She still struggles with her relationship with her family as they do not understand her new faith, nor do they agree with her desire to teach. 

Mia's story is similar to many other believers here in Thailand, but it is also an encouragement. We have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world that we should not forget nor neglect to pray for.

Please pray for the local believers. That the Lord would strengthen and encourage them. Also, pray that the heart of the church in the US would be stirred for their brothers and sisters overseas.

- Emma

Creative Media Team

God's Definition of Success

One of our assignments from our supervisors was to create an Instagram and form relationships with college students on the local campuses. This past week, we hosted our first event, a game night with free pizza and cookies. We arrived an hour early, only to find the room we thought we had reserved was taken and we would be moved to the obscure fourth floor. This room turned out to be a prayer room with a TV and rows of chairs set up on the carpet. No tables, no games--not much to work with.

We moved the chairs around to make it more open, set up the TV and wireless microphones for karaoke and Just Dance, grabbed some cards from downstairs, and climbed the four sets of stairs over and over until we were ready for the students to arrive. Well, by the end of the night, no students we'd invited from the campuses came. We had two of our translators, an extra friend who popped in, and two students who we'd met at a previous event. And lots of leftover pizza. 

It wasn't exactly what we expected or had hoped for, but through this event--and some wise words from my mom--I came to realize that it was still a success. Despite not reaching the group we wanted, we did reach those two students and our translators. We had so much fun playing games and spending time together, even though there were only a few of us. Sometimes God's definition of success is not our definition of success, but isn't that a good thing? After all, there is a reason He is God, and we are not.

We have a second event we're planning, so please pray that we would draw in some students. Pray for Gospel conversations.  

-Gabby

Creative Media Intern
  

 

Created for Relationships

One goal of our team this summer is to start a small college group by utilizing social media and engaging students on campuses. We often visit campuses and interview students for our content. After each conversation, we try to show the Instagram page. We explain to them that we want to create a space for college students to find community. 9 times out of 10, their eyes light up with excitement. 

God created mankind in His own image in Genesis 1. Then in Genesis 2, God says it is not good for man to be alone. We were created to be in relationship with God and with others. But this world is messy, and our sin has ruined these once-good relationships. Fortunately, there is a solution, a way to mend these broken relationships. Through Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, we can have forgiveness and new life. We have the answer, and we get to share it with others. 

• Pray the students will see the brokenness of the world and be willing to search for a personal relationship with their Creator by asking questions. 
• Pray for others like me who can answer their questions with the Truth of the Gospel. 
• Pray for relationships to be mended through Jesus Christ, their relationship with God, and with family and friends. 
• Pray that we would be a light that shines in the darkness, with relationships (within our team and with others) that glorify God. 

-Cora

Creative Media Intern

Quiet Time Discoveries

One morning last week I was sitting on the rooftof, reading from 1 Chronicles for my daily quiet time. My chapter for the day was chapter 17, where David desires to build a temple for God. It's a chapter I've read a lot and even picked apart before, but it hit me in a new way this time. David had a good desire. He wanted to create for a new home for God, a place where He could dwell and be praised! But God told him "No." Building a temple was not a job God had for David; it was one He had for David's son, Solomon. Sometimes we have truly good desires, but God still tells us no. That doesn't mean He hates us or wants bad things for us! In fact, being told no by God is just as good as being told yes!  

On Monday, I had the chance to get dinner with a girl I'd met a few days before. The entire day, I was psyching myself up to share the Gospel with her. Lord, give me boldness to share! Let it be Your Spirit speaking through me, I prayed the whole day. A teammate and I arrived and sat down with her at a table. When our food came, before I could say anything, this girl asked if she could pray for our dinner! It turns out, she was already a Christian, and I had no idea! I was so ready to share the Gospel with her! For a moment, I was actually disappointed I wouldn't be able to share with her! Isn't that so silly? I was disappointed someone had already shared the Gospel with her and we were now sisters in Christ, purely because I had the good desire to be the one to tell her about Jesus.

This reminded me of something we read during our team time, a quote: 

"If you are succeeding without suffering, it is because others before you have suffered;

if you are suffering without succeeding, it is that others after you may succeed." 

I succeeded in having a Godly conversation with this girl because someone else suffered before me. Not only that, but she'd brought a friend who was not a believer and was able to listen as we talked about our faith! Who knows what kinds of seeds we planted in her life that night!

God can use our good desires, but the Bible also says that He is the one who gives us the desires of our heart, and He delights to do it! All He's waiting for is for us to ask!

Pray for this girl's friend. Pray that hearing our conversation Monday night would have stirred something in her heart so that she might come to accept Christ. 

-Gabby
Creative Media Intern Team

 

 

The Daily Rhythm of Life

Somehow, time has managed to creep by yet fly by all at the same time. The first three weeks were rough. As a media team, technology was utterly failing us. 

We've encountered everything from missing phones to being locked out of work computers to cancelling debit cards because of fraudulent activity, you name it. 

But the Lord has used this to grow our patience and trust in Him. We are finally beginning to settle into a routine and rhythm, finding where we fit and are needed in the work here. 

There is much work to be done, whether that be media work or local ministry. I believe we have all begun to feel the overwhelming load of our summer but also learning to take it one step at a time. We are finding our daily rhythm of life. During the week, we go to the studio to create resources used in various ministries while also going out to the local universities to connect with students to build relationships and share the gospel. 

Pray the Lord will strengthen & encourage us as we have settled in and begin to tackle the work He has set before us. 

Pray we will truly give Him our best. 

-Emma 

Creative Media Intern, Thailand

Opportunities to Write

This week was our first full week in the office, doing actual creative work. With our computers set up, all of our apps usable, and our phones working, we finally got to crack down on the creative work laid out for us. 

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to interview a couple about DE--Digital Engagement--and discuss how excited they are to be a part of it. As I talked with them and sat down afterwards to begin writing the article about their ministry, I was reminded of the adaptability of the Gospel. 

No matter how the human race changes and updates technology, the Gospel is always able to penetrate the darkness. Even if it now looks like using an ad with a cute cat on it, the Gospel finds its way to reach the lost through Christ's children. After the chaotic few weeks we've had, that was a huge encouragement for me, and I am very excited to finish the article!

Pray for the couple I interviewed and their dedication to DE. The online world is a crazy place, but all of our prayers can make a difference!

-Gabby

Creative Media Intern, Thailand 

What do you value most?

A question we ask Thai university students is, "What do you value most in your life, how do you spend your time?" 

What do you value, what do you talk about, what do you dedicate time to??

Pray over the golden calves (idols) in your own life. 
Pray that the Thai people would see their golden calves as statues that cannot do anything for them. Only God, Pra Jaow, loves them enough to offer a guaranteed way to Heaven. 

-Cora

Creative Media Intern, Thailand

Remove the Golden Calves

"Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst."     --Nehemiah 9:18-20

Pray for the people of Thailand who strive to work for their salvation. 

Specifically, pray for God to work in their lives by putting Gospel sharers in their path and allowing many signs and wonders to be done. 

The Thai people have not been forsaken, pray they would find the true light and be truly enlightened in a way that Buddha and spirits cannot. 

Prayer for the Refugees

Last week our team served at English camp in a government school in Thailand. The Lord has been showing me how much there is need for His love to be known, and what it means to have our hearts broken for what breaks His.

As I got to know my class of second graders, I quickly noticed a few students who were considerably taller than the rest. One of them, a girl named Sue, shared that she was fourteen, and that her family was from a nearby country. The staff had told us that there were quite a few refugees at the school; they were often held back several grades because they had fallen behind in the process of fleeing their home country and also learning Thai. 

Sue asked me once, "Have you ever had a birthday party?" Surprised by the question, I told her I had. Through a translator, Sue shared that it was her dream to have a birthday party one day, but that she hadn't asked her parents for one "because they work really hard." I assumed she meant that money was tight, which she confirmed by telling me the foods I suggested eating at her future party (KFC) were "too expensive."

This small interaction humbled me. Here was a girl who's dream was to have a birthday party with friends, who had never celebrated one because of her family's socioeconomic situation. 

As much as I knew the reality of these families in my head, it was striking to hear about it from someone so young. In that moment, I felt the Lord remind me clearly that He knew Sue, that He celebrated her each year. I am reminded that the best news I can bring is not the promise of money, but the promise of a God who knows and takes care of his children. I cannot solve the problem of poverty, but God can solve the much bigger problem of belonging.  

Please pray for refugees who have settled here in Thailand. Pray that we would have opportunities to encounter and share with them about the God who knows what it is like to be a refugee; the God who is the good provider. 

Please also pray that God would continue to break our hearts for what breaks His.

-Anjuli

Creative Media Intern, Thailand

Breaking the Love Barrier

Thai is not an easy language to learn as a native English speaker, and I imagine native Thai speakers feel the same about English. But this past week, my team and I were blessed to serve at an English camp, where language wasn’t the only thing being exchanged. We also had the opportunity to share the gospel — not just through words, but through presence, patience, and love.

I chose to work with the oldest kids (5th and 6th graders). Many had been to this camp before, so English was more familiar to them, but they were still far from fluent. And even though I had completed six hours of Thai language lessons, I stumbled through basic phrases. Yet we understood each other.

The kids were so sweet to me. Almost every day, one of them would hand me a small gift (snacks, ice cream, even a small stuffed otter), things they had bought with their own money. Knowing even just a little of their heart language — enough to say “good job” or “thank you” — opened the door to trust. I could see the way their eyes lit up when I spoke Thai, even badly.  

They helped me learn more Thai, too. Not through formal teaching, but through giggles when I mispronounced something, by repeating a word slowly until I got it, or pointing and saying the word in Thai. In the same way, we taught them English. It was mutual learning. Mutual grace.

And in that grace, I saw God.

1 Corinthians 13:1- "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." The power of language matters, but love is what truly communicates Christ. "...if I have not love, I am nothing." (Verse 2b). 

• Pray these students continue to remember not just English words, but the love and light of Jesus they encountered this week.
• Pray for the seeds of the gospel planted to take root in their hearts.
• Pray for more workers in Thailand who are willing to embrace discomfort, cross barriers, and share God’s love in both word and deed.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

This week, we had the privilege of spending time with children from first through sixth grade. Despite the language barrier, loving them came naturally — their joy and openness spoke volumes. It was heartbreaking to watch them bow in meditation to Buddha every day as part of their schooling. They do not know the light and love of the true and living God. Our prayer is that, through our time with them, Christ’s love was made visible and that His presence shone through us, even in little ways.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” - Romans 10:14-15

Pray for the children who heard the Gospel this week, that the Lord would cultivate the seeds that were planted in them.

-Emma 

Creative Media Intern, Thailand

God's Constant Friendship

We were able to spend a few days helping with an English camp. The first day, I felt a little overwhelmed and admittedly intimidated by my group of kids. However, as we kept coming back every day, the kids began to warm up to us. By the last day, I constantly had kids running up, exclaiming, "Teacher! Teacher!" and wanting to be picked up or played with. If we had only come for one day, they would have never felt this comfortable with us. It required our consistency in showing up and loving them. 

This reminded me of God's constancy. He is always patient with us, and He is a trustworthy friend, one who is always by our side and offering to carry us when we need it. 

Please pray for these amazing kids. Pray that we would have planted seeds in their hearts, so they will never forget just how loved they are by the Lord. 

-Gabby

Creative Media Intern, Thailand 

A Few Weeks Without my Phone

The last time I can remember not having a phone glued to my side, I was 11 years old (10 years ago). Many parts of my life have become completely dependent on my cell phone— paying bills, checking my bank account, communicating with friends and family, and even things with simple solutions like checking the time, shining a light, and doing math. Admittedly, I've become dependent on my phone. 

Before orientation, I would spend hours on my phone scrolling, watching TV, and going down rabbit holes. If I didn't have anything of importance to fill my time with, that time would be filled with Instagram, Facebook, or a streaming platform. Even though the Nehemiah Teams leadership had advised us to spend less time on devices, it seems as though I spent more time "devoted" to them. 

I knew orientation would be a shift, but I didn't expect the shift to last this long. I expected to get my devices back and to "slow down" when I deemed appropriate. Sure, I could give up my social media most of the week or only watch a couple of episodes a night instead of multiple throughout the whole day. That's still a sacrifice, right? Besides, I'm on a media team, I'm supposed to "stay up to date."

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (14:33) In verse 27, He says, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." The verses leading to this point are the Parable of the Wedding Feast and the Parable of the Great Banquet. A parable calling for humility over honor and a parable illustrating the radical cost of discipleship. These serve as reminders for me.

How have I not been meek?
How am I not depending on God?
What am I choosing over Christ? 
How am I unready?

Though I've been invited to the Banquet, am I prepared? Or have I left something here on earth unfinished? Have I made a golden calf?

Currently, my phone is traveling around the Asia Pacific Rim after accidentally being sent with a different team. It'll be hand-delivered to my supervisors this week and then it will make it's way to me.

Until then, I will continue to rely on my teammates for help. And when it gets here, I'll help them, but they'll continue to help me to "hang up and hang out." 

Our phones are a tool, but they are not to be a hindrance to the ministry to which we were called. 

Pray for the ministry that phones and social media allow, but also pray that we would not allow it to become the lord of our lives. 
Pray that only Jesus would sit on the thrones of our hearts, that our lives would be fully dependent on Him. 

-Coralynn
Creative Media Intern, Thailand

Finding Peace in the Business

Since arriving in Thailand, our team has been experiencing the Thai culture and learning our projects for the rest of the summer at what seems like a nonstop speed. Because this is my first time being overseas specifically for a mission trip, I started to get very overwhelmed very quickly when faced with the plans for our work.  

It was a quiet, cooler Wednesday morning when I decided to check out the roof of the building where we were staying. On the roof, I was met with this wonderful view of the neighborhood, city, and nearby mountains. The way the clouds and fog slowly moved over the distant trees and the stillness with only the birds in the background allowed me to feel peace for the first time since our arrival. It was such a sweet moment the Lord gave me in the midst of the chaos of technology not working, learning a completely new language, and working out a schedule for projects. I was able to sit and listen to my Christian playlist and simply enjoy the peacefulness of being in the presence of God. I will definitely be returning to my rooftop throughout the summer. The Lord is so good in giving us the things we need in the moment we need them!

 

Please pray for unity and peace within our team this summer as we brave the new culture and the creative jobs we will be doing! 

Pray we are able to find little moments where we can spend time with God and feel the peace He offers! 

 

-Gabby

Creative Media Intern, Thailand 

 

They Create Because He Is The Creator

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

This past week, I had the chance to visit a Buddhist temple for the first time. As an art major, I was honestly blown away. The detail in everything—the carvings, the paintings, the statues—was incredible. You could tell that so much time, effort, and talent went into every part of the buildings. It was beautiful in a way that made you stop and stare. Every inch of the temple seemed to be touched by intention. 

As an artist, I felt a deep admiration. But as a believer, I felt an ache.

The temple was a reflection of human creativity—something that always points me back to the truth that we are made in the image of God. Genesis tells us that God created us in His likeness, and I believe part of that likeness is the impulse to create beauty, to express wonder, and to reflect meaning through art. We create because He created us. 

But the beauty of the temple also reminded me of how that gift can be misdirected. It was built to honor gods who cannot save, idols shaped by human hands rather than hearts shaped by the living God. I was amazed by the art, but also deeply sad because of the purpose behind it.

Please pray for the Buddhists in Thailand. Pray that the gospel will reach their ears and hearts so that they can know they are made in the image of the one true God and are loved by Him.

- Emma Epps 

Creative Media Team TL

A Visit to the Wat

 

This week we prayer-walked around a Wat (temple) in the city, where we saw some of the most beautiful and lost parts of Thai culture. So much time, effort, and artistry was spent building this Wat that cannot bring peace. I'm reminded that everything we build here on earth is but a copy and a shadow of heaven.

Even so, Hebrews 8 promises this from the Lord: "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

Our God, who walked with the Israelites through countless falls also desires to walk with the people here in Thailand.

We also learned that many of the monks here were refugees from Myanmar. These young boys often leave their refugee families to become monks not out of religious devotion, but destitution. Forced into a religion of hundreds of rules, I'm reminded that we do not serve a legalistic God.   

Please pray that these monks would come to know the God who has seen the course of their life, and known them for who they are, not what they do.

The Sacrifice for Honor

One of our first activities was visiting some monks to chat about their belief system. We learned a lot of very interesting things! Most of the monks we saw & spoke with were very young. One of them was only eighteen years old, and he told us that boys can become monks at the age of twelve. He also told us that many of the monks do not become monks for religious reasons, but rather to honor their family.

We learned from one of the monk teachers that Buddhism is more of a philosophical way to approach life rather than a religion. As we sat & listened to all of the rules they had to follow and the restrictions on their lives, we recognized the heaviness and sadness surrounding them.

Please pray for these young monks, as many of them are only there to honor their family.
Pray the Lord would work in their lives & show them the empty places in their hearts where only He belongs.

-Cora
Creative Media Team, Thailand 

Thailand Media Team Intro

The 2025 Thailand Creative Media Team landed on June 12, ready to reach the Thai people with the hope and Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The four of us will be focusing on serving through digital engagement, as well as reaching college students on the local campuses with the Gospel. We will also be partnering with local churches and ministries to continue to serve the people in the city. 

Hello! My name is Gabrielle. I am attending Cedarville University in Ohio, majoring in English with a Biblical Studies and Creative Writing minor. I am so excited to use my writing skills this summer with the Creative Media Team! 

Hi! I’m Anjuli, I’m based in Seattle and just graduated with a degree in Visual Communication Design from the University of Washington. My parents were missionaries in South Asia; I grew up on the field and have had the privilege of seeing the Lord at work there most of my life! I’m excited to return to Asia to see how the Lord leads us this summer!

Hello! My name is Emma and I am a senior at William Carey University. I am double majoring in Intercultural Studies and Art. I grew up in Brazil as a missionary kid serving in the Amazon region. This summer I am excited to dive into media and missions.

Hey y'all! I'm Cora, from DFW, Texas, studying photojournalism at the University of North Texas with minors in Jewish Studies and Classics. In my free time, you can find me taking photos, napping, or trying some new coffee. Can't wait to see how God works through me this summer!