The Thailand team is focusing on language study and building strategic relationships. This team has the incredible opportunity to teach English in a Thai Buddhist T-mple school. Other o-treach opportunities include partnering with our long-term workers in an effort to reach out to children, single moms that are coming in off the street (from human trafficking), and university students.

Rachel writes…
“As I've thought about the things God is teaching me, once again I'm reminded that His ways aren't mine and He is never finished. I feel as though I should've known I was in for a lot of learning since this whole experienced started out with a battle of wills. I was determined to not go anywhere but college, and when I finally gave in, I was set on a six-month outreach to anywhere but Thailand. Needless to say, God won and I went for nine months to Thailand. The obvious lesson theme seems to be surrender and trust.

I know that those two things have been an overwhelming theme for me this year. They go together really. I realize that I have trouble surrendering areas of my life to God because I don't trust Him. I know that so much of what I struggle with in life is rooted in my lack of trust. It always blows my mind when I have to admit that I thought I could handle things on my own or I thought I knew better. (It's a good exercise in humility as well.) I have learned that the only way I will make it through is if I trust in Him. I've learned that a heart that believes in the goodness of God is one that abandons self because it knows "all things work together for good." I've learned many other things as well. I've learned that J-sus looks like the woman without a face and the well-off family down the street.

I've learned the importance of loving those who are hard to love. I've learned that people and relationships are the only things worth investing in and the best way to do that is to spend time with those G-d places in my life here; no matter how awkward it feels. I've learned contentment in unwanted circumstances. I've learned that G-d is tirelessly pursuing people. I've learned that He loves me in spite of me. I've learned many things I already had stored in my head, but now they have become heart knowledge. Basically, I've had to practice what I pr-ach and allow myself to love and be loved. All this said this isn't all I've learned and I know much more is to come.

I always have hated the idea of never reaching perfection. I've hated that G-d is never done with me. However, the more I learn here, the more I love that He is never done and I will never be outside of the need of His love and grace. I'm grateful for the things He is teaching me and I'm grateful that He loves me so much, He won't let me remain as I am.”

Pr-yer requests for the Thailand team:

• Pr-y that the team could continue to develop relationships with those around them
• Pr-y for the girls as they start volunteering with an organization that helps women at risk or who have previously been involved in prostitution

The South Asia team will be working alongside an established YWAM base. O-treach possibilities include teaching English as a second language, helping with a bakery for widows, both rural and urban evang-lism, prison m-nistries, leper m-nistry, friendship evang-lism, and physical labor.

Pr-yer requests for the South Asia team:

• Pr-y for strength and open doors as the team teaches in the village
• Pr-y for an ease into the culture and language in N-pal

The Middle East team will spend time in language school. They will also be involved in teaching conversational English, relational evang-lism,
and assisting our long-term workers in established
m-nistries. This team will live in host homes.

The Spain team will spend the first few months of their o-treach in language study. They will also assist in teaching conversational English, youth m-nistry, and helping with a gym/coffee house m-nistry. This team will be walking alongside an established ch-rch and helping in their efforts to reach out to the local community.

Pr-yer requests for the Spain team:

• Pr-y that the team would adjust to life in the states with ease
• Pr-y for safety for the team as they return and spend time in re-entry in Columbus

The Himalaya team will be involved in a variety of
o-treaches including trekking into unreached villages, helping in orphanages, and discipleship training initiatives.

The Kenya team will start by staying a few weeks
in Thika for orientation before heading north to Lodwar and Kakuma. This team will work in a
refugee camp, trek into remote villages, and encourage the local ch-rches.

Janalee writes…
“I know G-d has stretched me in a lot of ways. He has made me more open & vulnerable with others. O-treach could have done that to, but I’m still trying to figure everything out. I don't have all my feelings to word yet.

I’ve learned to relate with others when their challenging. Cultural differences can be a bit difficult to overlook sometimes :)

I’ve learned to deal with conflict on the team and how to be selfless. Also, when G-d wants you to do something, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be all happy and joyful and wanting to do it. I’ve learned to deal with kids when I get sick of them. I do love them, but when they constantly ask and demand for money, food, and your clothes, it's more challenging for me to love them. That's also another area in my life that G-d has taught me. Letting his love shine through me, it's not easy & I constantly battle letting my feelings go.”