Asian Outreach – Fall, 2008

When Gord invited me to join him on a ministry trip to Thailand and S. Korea I was very pleased and excited to have it so quickly confirmed supernaturally in a number of ways, not the least seeing all the finances come in from different sources to cover my travel costs. Our first destination was south of Bangkok in the city of Pattaya.

Pattaya was simply a small fishing village until it was discovered as a beach resort by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighbouring Rayong province began using the area for “rest and recreation”, causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis. However, modern mass tourism, particularly single men looking for companionship, brought a new lease of life to Pattaya.

The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, and family-focused entertainment is increasingly available; however, the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world’s most renowned party destinations. In 2005, more than 35,000 hotel rooms were available in Pattaya and it has seen a large increase in family tourism in recent years, thanks to efforts to present a more wholesome image. Sadly, despite these efforts, Pattaya’s sex industry is the city’s raison d’être.

Our first visit there was with the Mobile YWAM Discipleship Training School in Pattaya where we stayed in a renovated section of a dilapidated shopping centre, 20 minutes from the infamous ‘walking street’ downtown Pattaya. We were warmly welcomed at our first meeting with the Korean team singing a song of blessing. Translated in English, the words say: ‘You are a channel of Blessing in the Covenant of God, Nations will come back to the Lord’ The music was incredibly beautiful and the words powerful. I was very moved and found it very easy to minister in that atmosphere of faith. Gord spoke on ‘Intimacy with Holy Spirit’ followed by ministry time. Most of the YWAM team ended up laid out on the floor as Holy Spirit ministered to them . . some for healing, some experienced new and greater intimacy with Jesus, others sensed greater preparation in what lies ahead for future days . .

One morning, we were about to start a meeting when one of the team shared what the Lord was doing in her life in the realm of intercession and identification for the city where we were – as she shared she was again moved into intercession for the city and the Presence of the Lord was powerful indeed – The team leaders, Park, Jin Su, Oh and Yoon Joo are great leaders of the Mobile Discipleship Training School and ask for our prayers! Very soon the team plans to divide up and travel to Cambodia and Vietnam for outreach.

Besides YWAM/DTS, I would like to introduce you to the founder of a wonderful ministry called Rodem House. Rodem house was founded on the vision of Young-Gi Lee from Korea. Inspired by the account of Elijah finding refreshment under a broom tree. Young-Gi saw Rodem House as a resting place for missionaries. The vision Young Gi has is to see Rodem Houses established in countries such as Russia and China. Rodem Houses are large homes that can accommodate up to 60 – 70 people who need accommodation to rest up and prepare for the next phase of ministry the Lord has called them to. In 2005 Rodem House extended its scope and established a work in Pattaya, Thailand. This work is seeing pastors of various churches in Pattaya coming together in unity, and also runs a Bible School for pastors wanting ongoing professional development. We also met Jack and Lee Limbu. This interesting and amazing couple looked after our transportation needs for the week , some sightseeing and of course shopping. They have a burden for the city, for Thailand and for Laos.

After arriving in Seoul, S.Korea from Thailand, we spent the first few days with the Pastors Discipleship Training School where we witnessed the Holy Spirit being poured out. Gord and I spoke again on ‘Intimacy with the Holy Spirit and Divine Alignment’. Gord has ministered to this particular school for several years ,and they have recently launched a 24-7 House of Prayer as well. The Priscilla School moves frequently from church to church in the city and the last school was located in the new 24-7 house of Prayer venue. We had a great time of teaching and prayer ministry.

The Do-Hwa Methodist Church in Incheon was different again – Methodists hungry for more of Holy Spirit! Approximately 500 attended the meetings with wonderful results. On the last night around 50 testified to healings. I do not think I will forget the two 80 and 82 year old Korean ladies who came forward to testify – they had walked into the meeting bent double, unable to stand straight for many years – during the time of ministry the Lord touched both of them at different spots in the crowd and both stood up straight! Gord and myself were unaware of this as we were ministering elsewhere in the crowd when it happened. It was also encouraging to see the team of Pastors and leaders begin to move in the ministry of prayer and laying on of hands for healing.

One of our visits included Yanghwajin Memorial Hall and Graveyard where hundreds of missionaries are buried – many of them martyred for their faith. . . as stated by one missionary who gave her life for the Gospel:

“If I had a thousand lives to give, Korea should have them all” wrote on the gravestone of Ruby Rachel Kendrick (1883-1908) a missionary who died at age 24, only eight months after she arrived in Korea.”

Her death inspired other missionaries to come and take her place later as that was her last will.
I have missed out so many details due to not wanting to make this too long, but I pray that what has been written will bless, inspire and create faith to pray for our brothers and sisters overseas . .

Submitted by
Peter Hill,
Ministry Team

Categorised in Thailand