God's provision

My jaw nearly fell to the ground this morning when a friend of mine told me that God was really impressing on his heart to buy the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS for me, so that I could take videos in Thailand! As he mentioned, live recordings, such as video tend to make such an impression on people... To see the sights and hear the sounds makes everything so real. So t.h.a.n.k. y.ou. kind person (:-D) for allowing God to use you in this way! Because of you, I'll not only be able to take pictures over there, but I'll also be able to bring back videos of life in Thailand!!

Today I heard from ABWE with the wonderful news that as of today, I have received $1,100! Thank you all so very much. Know that each dollar and each caring heart is definitely appreciated! I thought I'd let you know that the cost of the trip has changed based on what the plane tickets cost and our budget. In opposed to needing $2,500, now I only need to raise a total of $2,365.

ABWE also reminded me that the deadline for total funds needs to be in 2 weeks from now (at the latest), which is May 8th. This will give them just enough time to transfer funds to the Caynor’s (the missionaries) for my time spent in Thailand.

It's been truly amazing and humbling to experience this journey of faith the last couple months as I've watch God provide through people like you, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ... and friends. Your generosity astounds me! :-) I know God is going to bless each of you for your caring and thoughtful hearts.

I heard from the missionary we are going to be working with in Thailand, and he mentioned that we will be going to a church that they started from the Tsunami ministry in the south of Thailand... there's a new building going up and they think it would be great to have some good pictures for an update. They are also trying to raise a little more money to finish the project – and they think my pictures could help! Several of the people on our team enjoy singing, so there's talk that we might practice some singing together so we can sing for the places we visit. :-) I'm excited about that!

I need to go shopping soon to buy some coloring books and pencils (with Bible verses on them) and special little things like that to give to the kids over in Thailand. Anyone have any more ideas of things I could give them?

As I was experiencing something the last few weeks, God gave me a new definition of surrender. Not that I had a bad definition before, but I felt like God just said, "Leah, this is the definition of surrender for your life." And this, my friends, is the definition the Lord so layed on my heart...

Surrender :: Allowing Him to bring anything in or take anything out of your life whenever He wants to do it; Open hands to whatever He wants. Even if it means tearing the very "bottom" of your life out.

To give you all a heads up, trip planning is coming along!

We bought our plane tickets to Bangkok, Thailand this week and I need to start getting a to-do list together! [Such as getting my typhoid fever shot, getting a few clothing items at REI, clearing and preparing my laptop and external hard drive and the etc.] I'm thinking about investing in a small point and shoot camera [Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS] so I can take videos over there, and just so I can a small pocket camera to keep in my purse.

We leave in a little over 4 weeks and I'm quite eager to see what all God does on this expedition to southeast Asia!

5 weeks

My excitement is rising with each passing day to realize that SOON I will be getting on a plane to head across the other side of the world - to have the opportunity to share Christ's love to the people in Thailand! 5 weeks left to go!

Just to give you all a little update, my support level is up to $881!! God is so good. So faithful. To all of you who have sent in a check, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart..! :-)

As many of you are probably already aware, there is an alot of civil unrest going on in Thailand right now, especially in Bangkok (where we'll be stationed for 1 week). There's alot of bloody street battles, firebombs, and shootings going on. But who knows - maybe all this political unrest will prepare the hearts of the Thai people for the gospel!? I am reminded that there is no safer place to be than in the center of God's will, regardless where that is or what takes place! What if THIS TRIP was the whole reason for my life existance? What if there is ONE SOUL that needs to hear of God's incredible love for them? Wouldn't it be worth it to sacrifice the comforts and safeties of my homeland?

[Lets be in prayer for Thailand and people of this country during this time!]

"I had utterly abandoned myself to Him….Could any choice be as wonderful as His will? Could any place be safer than the center of His will? Did not He assure me by His very Presence that His thoughts toward us are good, and not evil? Death to my own plans and desires was almost deliriously delightful. Everything was laid at His nail-scarred feet, life or death, health or illness, appreciation by others or misunderstanding, success or failure as measured by human standards. Only He Himself mattered.” – V. Raymond Edman

I am overwelmed with God's provision for my financial needs! Support is up to $691!

A big thank you to each one of you who have supported me financially. Whether it be $10 or $200, YOU are are making it possible for me to go to Thailand and make an investment into the lives of the Thai people! May Jesus bless you.

The Thailand Team!

• Our team members are confirmed! Be in prayer for my team members: Lydia, Dan, Alex, and I, as well as our team leaders, Paul & Whitney! Our Thailand based leaders will be missionaries Rick and Lisa Caynor.
• Later this week, we'll be getting our plane tickets to Thailand.
• I am also thrilled with how God is supporting for my financial needs! Support level is at $481 as of today.

Encouragement

[6 weeks left...]

I am encouraged with the increasing levels of my financial support! :-) As of tonight, I am aware that I have atleast $381! Praise God! I can't t.h.a.n.k. y.o.u. enough for your support in the ministry of this trip to Thailand. I am still under what I should be financially right now, so let's keep praying together.

This past week I received the ABWE Photographer's Operations Manual that will be highly benefical to me so that I can know how to do my workflow, shooting, and other things that I'll need to be aware of as I take pictures!

Many of you have asked me, "So what are you doing about your lack in support??" My answer is this: TRUST GOD. I believe that He led me to this trip - won't He be faithful to lead me through it? I've also been asked, "What are you going to do if you don't raise enough support?" Again, my answer is this: TRUST GOD. I personally believe that the Lord never closes a door without opening another. If for some reason he chooses to shut this door, I will trust and believe that He has something better for me to do. But for now, I am stepping boldy ahead in faith, knowing that the Lord will be faithful to supply my needs.

Last night as I was reading my Bible, the Lord gave me the following verse:

"Stand and see this great thing,
which the Lord will do before your eyes."
1 Samuel 12:16

Though I have no idea what exactly God has in store, I am believing and trusting that God does indeed have something amazing prepared.

"Real faith is not hoping to get what you want, but accepting what God gives you." - Adrian Rogers

"Faith is knowing God, and knowing that He is able to do what He says, and that He will do it." - Henry Blackaby

"Faith is not hoping that we will see the answer in the future; faith is believing that we have the answer now." - Anon.