Hey Friends! Here we are! Last continent! Asia has long had a special place in my heart because I have done mission work in the Philippines for many years. However, the Race has solidified my love for Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. We have spent our four final months on the Race making our way across this amazing continent by serving in Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka.
Month 8: Thailand
In Thailand we served at The Little Farm in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It is an incredible ministry that focuses on therapeutic farming for rescued children. They are working towards being totally sustainable. We assisted with tasks around the farm like weeding, setting poles for a new pig pen, rendering concrete in their new house, herding goats, bee farming, cleaning animal pens, and burning brush. It was such a fun month on the farm. We were also able to work with girls rescued from sex trafficking with Destiny Rescue. We stayed at a children’s home and played volleyball every night, which is still one of my favorite activities.
The Lord taught me a lot about His goodness, and His interest in my desires. Also, He began speaking to me about my calling to South East Asia. My parents came to visit at Parent Vision Trip, and the Lord began preparing me for coming home to the US. Culture shock hit, and there were only two new Americans with me, ones that I love very much. He taught me about how He cares for the women who are being trafficked AND the men who are trafficking and buying them. The sex trade is a travesty and an abomination, but God is still good and on the throne. I heard stories this month that made me question that, but I know His word is truth. My passion to stand in the gap for these women only grew stronger.
Thailand was an amazing month for so many reasons. Our host was great, their ministry is incredible, I got to see my wonderful parents, and the food was off the charts good. On our off days we got to explore night markets in town, hike to a gorgeous waterfall, and interact with elephants.
Month 9: Malaysia
If you’ve kept up with me on Facebook, then you know it is no secret that Malaysia was my favorite country on the Race. We worked with a sports ministry, Ipoh Bug, in Ipoh, Malaysia. Sports will always have a special place in my heart because they have played a huge role in my life. It was incredible to have my passion for missions collide with my passion for sports. We traveled to several cities in Malaysia putting in sports camps for kids. We were also able to lead Bible studies, work at a dementia day care center, serve at a food kitchen, and lead worship. From beginning to end, I loved every minute of this month.
The Lord taught me about joy, and that my joy comes from Him. He showed me how He would use my passions and abilities for His kingdom, and He solidified my calling to South East Asia. Between the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia all being some of my favorite places, the Lord made it clear to me He wants to use me in South East Asia in some capacity. We met so many incredible people and worked with several amazing ministries. The Lord grew my heart for Muslims that He showed me in Bosnia. Overall, this was an amazing month full of growth. I have every intention to return to Malaysia in the future.
The food in Malaysia is incredible. We were able to try so many new and different dishes, and pretty much all of them were fabulous. On our off days we went spelunking in a nearby cave, went to the movies, karaoke, and exploring the various towns we visited. I had my birthday this month, and my team and hosts made it incredibly special. 22 is my favorite birthday so far.
Month 10: Mongolia
Month 10 was another ATL/UH month. We were able to work with 3 churches. Not going to lie, Mongolia was a tougher country, but the people we met and the testimonies we heard changed my life. During our first week, most of my team, including myself, was sick. We went to a GPS youth camp and helped out in spite of our health struggles, and at the end of the camp we were able to help baptize 21 people. Praise the Lord! We taught English and helped with Bible studies in Ulaanbaatar (UB). We were also able to travel 10 hours outside of UB to Sukbataar and teach English to church members there. Their reason for learning English is so they can have more Christian resources to learn about the Bible and so they can tell more people about Jesus. Heart check. In the end, it was a good month full of seeing God work.
The Lord taught me so much about how blessed I am to have been born into a Christian family with a Christian heritage. We have generations of Christians in America. He also showed me how comfortable and often lukewarm Christians can be because it’s so easy and almost normal to call oneself a Christian in America purely based off the fact that’s what your family is. In Mongolia, there was no Christianity at all until about 30 years ago. These people are coming to Christ for the first time, and raising the first generation of Christians in this nation. It was incredible to be able to worship in a church with no people who were there because they have to be or because that’s what is normal. Every single person in any given church meeting was there because he or she was on fire for the Lord. There was no hint of lukewarmness because it is hard to be a Christian in a overwhelmingly predominant Buddhist nation.
On our off days we took much needed rest. This was the first month I felt even the slightest bit of burnout from traveling, after 10 months of moving around seeing and doing all the things I wasn’t my usual adventurous self. Fortunately, the Mongolia National Naadam Festival was happening while we were there. We got to see horse races, watch wrestling, try archery, hold an eagle, eat traditional food (horse meat is good btw), watch fireworks, go to concerts, and ride horses at the festival.
Month 11: Sri Lanka
The final month of the Race. I still cannot believe it’s been 11 whole months. Wow, what a journey! Sri Lanka was also ATL/UH, but it was also all-squad month for the final 3 weeks. My team spent a few days in Colombo. We met with a pastor and his family, and went to church with them. We ATLed in Galle for a few days before we met up with the rest of the squad. Then, we spent the rest of the month with the whole squad living under one roof in Matara. My team was able to meet and work with 4 churches total. It was an amazing month. Sri Lankan hospitality was pretty much unmatched by any I’ve met in the Race, which is incredible because I have met some extraordinarily hospitable people.
The Lord taught me about the power of testifying what He has done. I didn’t learn this by doing it. I learned it by hearing the incredible stories from my brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. The church is heavily persecuted by Buddists in Sri Lanka. I met men who were beaten for their faith. I stood in a church that was rebuilt after being burned and the foundation exploded by monks. I met the wife of a martyr who has since taken over the pastorship and led the congregation in the midst of opposition. We met in secrecy at church members homes because it would be dangerous for the church and for us if foreigners were seen in attendance. The stories of the Sri Lankan church have forever humbled me. Even while they are persecuted they say, “we are blessed, Father forgive them.” Their perseverance and faith is that of the men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11.
This month was not just an incredible ministry month, but it was also an amazing moth for new experiences. I was able to do one of my favorite things in the world, SCUBA dive! We went on a safari, and encountered an elephant, among other creatures like a mongoose. We spent time on beautiful beaches soaking up the sun and reflecting on what the Lord has done this year.
Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. The Race has changed my life, and I cannot wait to share what the Lord has done when I get home. I am writing this blog during our 20 hour layover in Mumbai, India on the way to the US. In less than 48 hours I will be HOME. Please pray for myself and the squad as we reenter the US, and adjust back to life in America. Also pray for guidance as we all begin new seasons of life, whether that be school or jobs or going back on the field, there is always uncertainty during this time. To God be the glory for what He has done. I know He will continue to work in and through the P squad family in the future. I love you all, and thanks again for all of your support and prayers.
