Joy that Fills

I am alone at a table in a Japanese restaurant, in one of Bangkok’s infamously numerous malls next to a window, a steaming bowl of ramen next to me.  I am full of joy.  For the past few days, I’ve been pretty empty emotionally.  There’s not one thing that I can say that contributes to that, its just something that happens in life, and there’s a lot of things going on in my life here.  I think that goes for most people wherever they are.

God is faithful.  The past few days at NightLight we’ve had a team from Bethel Church with us.  The girls went on outreach on Friday night, and the entire group has been providing prayer ministry and encouragement to NightLight women and staff.  Today, I went upstairs for prayer.  A group of five of the team prayed and prophesied over me.  Much of what they said was spot on and even answered some questions that have been bumping around in my mind for some time now.  What a gift.  I don’t know if I will see these people again this side of heaven.  I don’t even know everyone’s name in the group.  That’s even part of what makes it special.  Prophecy is speaking God’s words.  These people didn’t know me at all, yet what they said was so specific that it had to have come from Heaven.  That’s what has me undone today- that God would speak, care for, and love me in this way.  He uses His people to communicate all the time, and He knew what I needed to be reminded of today.  I felt so known and loved in that room, as if I had been with my closest friends.  My heart has been aching for that.  Today, I am full of joy, not because I met some cool people and they were nice to me, but because God sees me and cares for me and knows me.  I am full of joy because things make a little more sense now.  One of the things that was spoken over me today was that I’m full of joy and I shouldn’t be afraid to walk in that fully, not holding back.  Once again, He fills the emptiness.  He has been so faithful in that here- I have Him and His presence.  He’s there waiting.  He is good.

It’s hard to know what to write here.  Much of what I want to say isn’t to be said over the internet.  Much of it I don’t have words for.  God has me in a growing place, a pressing in place.  It’s messy and it’s personal, and it’s so beautiful because He’s right here, even when it doesn’t feel like it.  That being said, it’s high time for an update on my life.  I’m getting more comfortable in my roles at NightLight.  We’ve had a lot of guests this month which has been awesome, and also that I’ve been busy at work.  I finished my first section of language school today as well.  I feel like all of the information is in my mind but is still working on coming out how and when I want it to.  Prayer for that would be awesome.  Thai new year’s is coming up soon and in 10 short days I will be on my way to the south of Thailand for some very much needed rest.  Thank you, my sweet friends and supporters.  I would not be here without your love, prayer, and encouragement.  I’m so excited for what God is doing here, not only in me, but in Thailand and at Nightlight.  Thank you!  What do you want to know about my life here?  Let me know, and I'll work it into future posts!

This is my life now...