Have you ever stood in front of a door with a bunch of keys, trying to find the right key for the lock, and then you finally find it and are able to unlock the door? Well, in a way, this is how we feel right now. We feel like lately God has opened up a new door of His mysteries for us. God is so amazing.

Over the past while we have been pleading with Jesus to draw us deeper into himself. Our heart's desire is to live in the "fullness" of God. And according to Colossians 2:10, we have been given "fullness in Christ." But as we have been thinking about this, one question that has kept jumping back at us is "How do we live in the fullness of Christ today?"

One day, as I (Amanda) was reading a biography about Hudson Taylor called "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret," I felt like my eyes were opened in a new way. One of Hudson's great revelations in life was that our life is not about striving but it's about abiding in God. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. The God who made the universe lives inside of us! Ahh, isn't that crazy to even try to wrap your head around? After thinking about that for a while, I started to ask myself some questions: "If God lives inside of me, why do I worry? God works everything out for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Why do I get defeated? Jesus has already won the victory over Satan and sin on the cross. Why do I doubt? God who is all-powerful, lives inside of me, and He has given me so many promises. He has never broken a promise that He has made. Why do I fear? The God who has authority over heaven and earth lives inside of me. He is with me wherever I go."

I also started asking Jesus, "How do I abide in you?" As I stopped and took time to listen to God, Isaiah 30:15 came to mind. It says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." How freeing that is! Living in God's fullness is not about striving; it's not about our human efforts to get close to God or to do great things for God. Because really if it was about that, we would be doomed, we would never get close to God. But it's about: resting in God, trusting Him with everything, receiving his grace, and praising Him with all that we are. Don't get me wrong, resting in God does not mean we are inactive. Oh no, on the contrary, the God of action lives inside of us, if we are resting in God, how can we not help but do what He does?

"Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name." Psalms 103:1

IMPORTANT PRAYER ALERT

In a few days, Phuket will be having their famous Vegetarian festival from October 11th to 19th. This is an annual tradition that originated from the Chinese. At the beginning of the festival a big pole at each of the Chinese temples is raised to call down the different gods to come and descend on the island.

For them it's a time of spiritual cleansing and merit making. During this time many people will only eat vegetables, as a sign of their cleansing themselves.

It is believed that the gods enter certain people. They then perform self- tortures like piercing their faces with metal hooks and rods, climbing bladed ladders, walking on hot coals, and other things.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!!! As we said in our last update, the spiritual war here is intensifying! But the God who lives inside of us is VICTORIOUS.

· Join us in proclaiming that Jesus reigns over Phuket. Proclaim Psalms 24 over Phuket.

· Pray that God will cover us, our team (especially the children), and the Christians here in Phuket with his protection in all the areas of our lives.

· Pray for wisdom for us (meaning the church here in Phuket) in this time. Pray that God will show us strategic ways to pray and what to say as we interact with people here.

· Join us in praying in faith that God will bring a Tsunami of his spirit over this land; that the enemy will be uprooted and destroyed and that God's kingdom will be planted.

The God who lives inside of us says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14)." Please join us in asking God for the salvation of this Island and this nation. But not just that, join us in PRAISING God for what He is already doing and what He is going to do going to do.

Upcoming Events

On October 14th-20th we will be participating in a MBMSI Retreat and Conference for missionaries who are serving in Asia. We are super excited about this.

Pray that God will protect everyone who is coming to participate in this. Pray that everyone will have safe travels coming here. Also pray that it will be a time of deep refreshing for everyone who comes.

Thanks for your prayers so much!

May we all rest deeply in Jesus Christ.

Amanda and Amber