Take a walk... a prayer walk

Prayer walking for an hour... or even just 15 minutes... can seem hard sometimes. Even just praying for one minute in your room can be distracting. It’s really taught me to just focus on the Lord and not just going about my day as I pass these places, these people, these temples, and the shops, the schools... all these cars and motorbikes. 

All these people that I pass that don’t know Christ. 

But through the power of prayer, things can happen! 

We pray for safety, protection, softened hearts & so much more. As we’re walking around the temples, it’s very bleak and there are so many monks living in there that have dedicated their lives to serving Buddha. Buddha, who isn’t the true God, who doesn’t even hear them. 

The Lord really puts so much into perspective and breaks your heart for these people. As we walk by spirit houses, seeing how people really serve the spirits, giving them offerings, how that dictates their lives. 

Once again... so saddening and such a need for them to hear. 

So, as I go about now, and that as I pray, I can really focus on the need for the Holy Spirit to move in this country, in these people. Praying for more workers to come... for the believers here to be steadfast, faithful to share, and have opportunities to be discipled.  

How about you take a walk around your schools or neighborhood or churches and pray for them? Pray for the people that don’t know Christ. Pray for the believers to have boldness to share.

Pray for other countries. Pray for people who have never once heard of Christ, who will die and never hear about him unless people go and share. It starts with prayer! 

-Darla

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On

Southeast Asia

The Power of the Easter Story

I have a student from the English classes I've been teaching who mentioned interest in learning more about Christianity after hearing the Easter story! I took advantage of that interest and invited her to church... and she came! It was so beautiful watching her sing along to the worship songs that were in her language. We had lunch together after service, and I asked her if she would be interested in a Thai Bible study. She didn't even hesitate when saying "Yes!" Praise God!

Pray that my friend will continue to seek the truth, and that I will be able to encourage her & direct her towards those who will best teach her in her heart language.

-Abby

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On

Bangkok, Thailand

Easter where there is no Easter

While teaching English last month, I was able to to share about Easter. I was able to explain what the holiday is & how we celebrate. Although it is difficult to share with children who don't speak much English, I was able to share the simple story of who Jesus is and color pictures with them depicting the story.

Please pray for the children I was able to share with. Pray for continued opportunity to build on the story of Jesus.

-Darla

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On 

Asia Pacific Rim

Birthdays away

Just the highlights of this special day! After 4 different cakes, and about a million times of hearing Happy Birthday... I’m so overly joyed and thankful for the people here! I feel so loved and cared for! Praise God!

-Morgan

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On

Asia Pacific Rim

Pray for students as they spend birthdays away from family. So thankful for others God uses to fill the void!

Not an easy walk

I'd be lying if I said the last few weeks haven't been some emotional & hard ones. The homesickness & sadness of not being with friends & family in a time of need is so hard... but the Lord never ceases to amaze me when I stop for a minute to take in His creation all around me.

I've had times of rest, motivation to get my physical health back, memories with friends that'll last forever, sweet times to share the greatest news in the world... and most importantly, the Lord has opened my eyes & my heart to see & understand His word like I've never been able to before.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness through ALL seasons of life.

John 16:33. He never promised an easy walk, but take heart, it's so worth it!

-Abby

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On

Bangkok, Thailand

Dandelions in the Garden

As I try to figure out how to describe what it feels like being on the field... I think i've finally been able to express it through this poem I've written....

I found myself in a garden

When I opened my eyes

Beautiful flowers being choked by weeds

Of so many beautiful lies.

Dandelions that could almost pass

For a genuine, innocent flower

Were sprouting rapidly through the garden

To my horror.

The flowers of faith were withering,

I could tell they hadn't had a gardener,

Though I had no expertise in gardening,

I knew I could at least give them water.

As Holy Water fell onto them--

Settling deep within the group--

Some of the color was renewed!

But the devilish dandelions grew taller all around.

Thinking only of saving the flowers,

I began pulling out the weeds.

As I worked, I kept track

Of all the garden's spiritual needs.

I watered,

I pulled,

I watered,

I pulled,

Finding more and more thorns as I went

And then I looked up, and the garden looked more like a field--

A field of flowers withering and

dandelions flourishing. 

And I cried over it.

In the distance, I saw a child pick up a yellow covered lie,

"Look at this one mommy, isn't it pretty?"

I heard the child cry.

I ran over to him and gave him a rose,

"This is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Look at how beautiful this one is!

The one you have not won't leave you satisfied!"

The child took it joyfully,

Holding the dandelion tightly in his other fist

I glanced again at the field--

Seemingly even bigger than before--

And prayed God would send laborers to help me finish this.

I set off watering the flowers

And tearing out the weeds

Working even more urgently than before.

"Please don't just stand there,"

I called to a passing family,

"Help me, or these flowers will die!"

But they simply thanked me for the work I was doing,

And joined the multitude of those passing the garden by.

Through teary eyes I saw in the distance

A man bent down, pulling out weeds.

I turned and saw an older woman

Watering rows of roses and violets,

And behind her, a young girl planting seeds.

More workers seemed to join

Throughout the passing hours.

Some were trained gardeners,

But most just helped out of love for the flowers.

I saw miracles take place

As troves of dandelions would disappear

The flowers bloomed beautifully

Now that they weren't being choked by deceit or worldly fear.

Alas, I had to return to my home

For the sun had begun to set--

Thinking the whole way of how many weeds there still were

In the biggest, most beautiful garden I have seen yet.

-Michaela

NT365 Gap Year/Hands On

Asia Pacific Rim