A few reflections...

So I'm sitting on my bed right now, preparing to go out into the bars tonight. This will be the first time I've gone out into the Bangkok nightlife, and I am trying to absorb all that Bonita has told us, as well as what Lynds and Janette have both shared with me. If you want to know more about what goes on in the bars, Janette gave a pretty good picture in her last blog so please read it! 

Anyway, so I'm just praying for wisdom, for a mask so I don't show my discontent with the situation these girls are living in, and more than anything, praying that the Lord will soften their hearts to what we are sharing tonight. Now would be a good time to mention that I'm listening to Shane & Shane on random on my i-pod. A song came on by them that I wasn't familiar with, even though I've probably heard it multiple times. It struck a chord in me this afternoon. I realized this is what the Lord ultimately wants for each of these beautiful daughters of His, who are forced to sell their dignity day in and day out. Its awesome to recognize that even in our states of brokenness and disarray, the Lord still pursues a relationship with us, just so He can display his boundless love. Here are the lyrics & the scripture it is based on. 

ACRES OF HOPE

by Shane Barnard and Robbie Seay

He will allure her
He will pursue her
And call her out
To wilderness with flowers in His hand
She is responding
Beat up and hurting
Deserving death
But offerings of life are found instead

She will sing
She will sing
Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

Here in the valley
Walk close beside me
Don’t look back
For love is growing vineyards up ahead
You have called me master
And though you’re in the dark here
Call me friend
And call me lover and marry me for good

She will sing
She will sing
Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

How the story ends is
Love and tenderness in Him
Not safe, but worth it
So the valley’s up ahead
Or the ones we live
We’ll sing together
We’ll sing together

We will sing
We will sing
Oh, to You
We will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead us away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

“Lord, sustain me in the valley. Give me ears to hear Your sweet tender voice and lead me in to acres of hope in this dry and weary land." 

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. ‘In that day,’ declares the LORD,’you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master. (Hosea 2:14-16)