Thailand has become an unexpected home for adventure and growth. We have been here for about a week and have already experienced so much! Our first week was an orientation to Thailand and to real life on the World Race filled with group sessions, time to get to know the city, teachings and encouragement by our beautiful ministry host, and one unbelievable day off.
We were fortunate enough to have our squad mentor, logistics guru, and coaches out with us in Thailand during this past week. They, along with our squad leaders, led time in teaching, worship, and vulnerability. Vulnerability is not something that comes easy to me. Sharing my past, my junk, my heart is scary. But the freedom and healing that comes from it is something to be cherished. I am so thankful our amazing leaders have encouraged us to start life on the race in this way with our squad and in our teams.
Here's our team sharing our first dinner in Chiang Mai at our host's restaurant/coffee shop and sharing a bit of Team Time! (ps… Pad Thai in Thailand… SO much better!)
To get to know the city, we went on a team challenge scavenger hunt! Broken up in our teams, we roamed Chiang Mai on foot for over 4 hours to experience many of the things this beautiful place has to offer. We saw temples galore, visited the local university, bought interesting fruit at the local market, and bonded as a team along the way. There is such a crazy mix of spirituality, commercialism, and poverty to be seen all around us. It was a great way to prepare our hearts for how we can be praying for this city during our time here.
Here's one of the temples we visited during the scavenger hunt:
Also, during our time here we have been blessed by our amazing ministry host, Emmi, and her staff. Emmi's story and commitment to God’s calling on her life to love the Thai people are compelling reflections of the gospel. Our squad is currently living above her coffee shop, Zion Café, nestled in the middle of the bustling city. (Side note: her smoothies and iced mochas are the best!!). The passion she has shared as she has introduced us to the different ministries she leads here in the city and in villages around Thailand has inspired us all. Our teams start our ministry work today! (More on that to come in the next blog post.. But in the meantime, check out the Lighthouse in Action website to learn more about Emmi and the work God is doing through her around Thailand at http://www.lighthouseinaction.org/ ).
Here are pictures of Emmi serving some of our squad mates coffee in the morning and her sweet cafe. It really is a nice haven to return to each day.
Finally, to end our first week in Thailand, we had our first day off… and we went for gold to start off our adventures! We spent the day riding elephants in the mountains, swimming near a beautiful waterfall, floating along a river on a raft made of bamboo, and topping off the night eating dinner at the crazy Sunday night market. Spending the day experiencing God’s power through majestic animals, breathtaking creation, and the loving Thai people was invigorating. I can’t believe how blessed we are to be able to experience Him in all His glory on the other side of the world.
Thailand, you have my heart.
