To celebrate our six plus weeks in Thailand I am going to share with you six things that the Lord taught me in Ubon.
1) Our YWAM base had really interesting ministry because our ministry was to serve other local ministries. Pretty sure Paul says something about being everything for the sake of the gospel. That is what we pretty much lived by. You needed seven people to run and English camp? Got it. You need people to sing A Christmas song or two? On our way. We are now really good at pulling weeds and cuddling little babies.It became so apparent that when people say “your ministry is where you are” is so true.
2) We were really lucky so spend a few days at a different location in Thailand with a wonderful couple. Our team spent time playing with the most energetic children I am yet to see. After we had the privilege of walking them home and seeing their living situations. It is safe to say we were all impacted by a specific family. My teammate Jazlyn wrote a great blog on a young child from their family (jazlyngonzalez.theworldrace.org). A few days later I was having a chat with a fellow teammate and the Lord was just telling me how even though their lives might not be ideal and they encounter hardships everyday He is still good. Him and I had a talk later and He showed me the difference between saying that He is good and KNOWING the He is good. This statement gave and continues to give me peace, know that no matter what is happening in the lives of these people He is still good and that He will take care of them.
3) DANCE! Over the past few weeks there has been A LOT of dancing. And trust me it has been so much fun. Dancing at Christmas parties, dancing because the Lord is good, dancing for fun-sooo much dancing. I learned that dancing brings people a lot of joy. Whether they are watching you dance or tapping their own toes. I am firm believe joy is one of the best feelings the Lord gives us so catch me (and this rad lady named Ms. Annie) dancing the night away-also feel free to join us even if you think you’re a bad dancer.
4) Love. Deeply. Ubon is home to so many wonderful people. The lord really called our team into love these past few months. Learning to love one another, learning to love our ministry hosts, learning to love the people we encounter everyday-especially the man who made us chicken salad every day. The staff at Ubon are incredibly special and kind and getting to love them was the best. The way the staff showed us love back was overwhelming and I am forever grateful.
5)So I am not sure about you but I sometimes get afraid that by being a christian I have to be boring and sit reading my bible all day. Don’t get me wrong reading your bible is awesome, but being called to be different doesn’t mean we have a calling to be boring. Going to Ubon and meeting so many people I was able to see how the Lord made each of us so unique. The staff at Ubon is full of so many funny, adventurous people. Sitting and sharing life with them was so fun. We were able to laugh and dive deep into interesting conversations. In this the Lord showed me how much these people loved Him but also how interesting they truly were. Showing to me that being a christian doesn’t mean you have to be boring.
6) The Lord is fast at work. Truly. It was so interesting to see all the people from different countries in the corner of Thailand ready to serve the Lord. The gospel is getting spread friends and real fast.
Trying to explain Thailand is mission impossible so please be kind to me in the quality of this post. Happy New year-see you soon Africa.
