It Is Well With My Soul.

Hello dear friends and loved ones:). I pray you all are doing well and that life is good. I am loving Thailand and the people here more and more everyday. We started helping with the English classes yesterday and the girls are absolutely precious. They use the English classes here as a way to get the girls from the bars to come in to not only learn English, but to also be exposed to Beginnings and what it is all about. There were 5 girls yesterday and they were so sweet and eager to learn. We practiced basic conversation skills with them. Some are more outspoken with their english as some of the others were very shy, but all in all they did a great job. 

Today was probably the first difficult day I've had while being here. We will start going into the bars this week, so we met with Bonita this afternoon to go over some things to expect to see while we are in the bars. I won't go into detail about our discussion, but I will say that it was very grim. But I was so thankful to Bonita for sharing with us, and not holding anything back so we have time to process it all before we go in. Bonita told us that when we go into the bars there is no need to feel physically unsafe, but that it is very emotionally unsafe. This immediately made so much sense to me. The whole time I have been here I have never once felt physically unsafe, but I have had to keep my emotions in check on a daily basis. I am so so thankful for Janette, Martha, Tiffany, and Courtney for being that emotional outlet if I feel the need to cry or vent the emotions I'm feeling whether it be sadness, anger, heartbreak, etc. I want to be strong for these girls in the bars. To let them know I am there to be there friend and love them. Janette was saying tonight how usually you don't want to put on a mask and be something you're not, but in this situation, you have to put on a mask and not show emotions or shock in front of these girls. We are not there to feel sympathy for them. We are there to show them love and friendship and trust. Not showing that kind of emotion is a lot easier said than done. And it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I know God will be with me and be my strength. "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10

One more thought for the night and then I promise I'm done:). I have been thinking a lot lately the past couple of days of my favorite hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. Being able to interact and watch the girls that we live with in the house has been so encouraging. To know what torture and unspeakable things they have come from, and then to see them on Sunday at church worshipping the Lord in song. To walk downstairs in the mornings and see one of them reading their Bible on the couch and praying. They have truly found Christ's saving grace. This hymn speaks to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth....

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.