This world, the one we all live in, just FYI it’s crazy. Crazy beautiful. Crazy hard. Crazy full.
Distractions are the biggest filler, once you think about it you realize how much time is taken up by distractions. As Christians we are told about this amazing path we should follow and it will take us to Jesus, it sounds so simple, so easy.. until we find these other little paths leading us away; the distractions.
A few weeks ago, I found myself sitting here in Thailand wanting more. For these two months we have been teaching English at a government school; elementary through high school. Since it is a government school we are not allowed to speak about our religion during school hours. Because of that, “ministry” hasn’t felt very much like ministry. I hadn’t figured out that I have to be intensional about everything I do in my life, not just in these two months in Thailand, but in all of my life. I wasn’t intensionally investing in these kids so it wasn’t happening.
I am someone that loves to enjoy life, I mean who doesn’t? I always want to fill my life with laughter, adventure, love. The distractions were making me forget why I am alive. I’m here to spread love, it’s as simple as that, spreading the love Jesus has for us. To do that I need to be present in every moment that I breathe. I was living in Thailand but I wasn’t being present. If you want to fall in love with a place or with people you need to intentionally exist in every moment. So I cut down my distractions. I did a two fast from wifi. Wifi is one very big distraction for so many people.
In those two weeks I found myself with the kids in between classes instead of being on my phone in the teachers office. I found myself looking around and taking in all the beauty that builds the mountains in Thailand. I found myself in the presence of some amazing people, I sat at a bonfire with men and women that spoke no English but we ate, laughed, and listened to music. We filled ourselves with joy. I learned that to be present is to be happy. To be present is to live. To be present is to love, to love like Jesus loves. For my time in Thailand, He is simply asking me to love his children so that’s what I’m doing.
Ministry for Thailand: Love Gods children<3
Drew Alyssa Jansma
P.s. Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope you all have an amazing holiday with your families. We are leaving for Malawi January 2nd, keep my squad in your prayers as we move into Africa!!
