Here’s a few moments that stand out from my three months in Asia. This is by no means an all inclusive list, but rather a brief summary.
1. We visited a few villages in Cambodia. One of which was the home to Peza, a child with cerebral-palsy who sits in a rickety wheel chair all day. Most of you might be filled with pity at this point, but I was filled with hope, joy and encouragement. This boy never has his smile leave his face and he is continually pushed around by his childhood friends to be included. This was a beautiful sight to see.
2. A rain dance in Cambodia. The neighborhood children were constantly with us whenever we were home. One day it began to rain; rain real hard. Before I knew it one of my teammates got pulled into the rain and not before long we were all drenched from this down pour. We were pouring buckets on one another and laughing to the point of abs hurting. Let’s just say it was a great shower.
3. I will never forget having my 24th birthday on a floating village. Set aside from it being our favorite village to visit, always being welcomed with smiles and hospitality; this day was special. I’m humbled from their singing and the beautiful/tasteful cake they gave me.
4. Sharing meals with Thyvenn and Dom was such a great demonstration of community and friendship. Each night we huddled onto Thyvenn’s floor and ate his delicious cooking with American music in the background. We heard about their lives, laughed about crazy stories and witnessed the strength of their friendship. Their example of friendship was great at igniting the depth of our team bonding.
5. In Thailand we got to experience meeting and speaking with monks. The entire month was quite interesting to see where conversations would go and be continually curious about their lifestyle. I was struck in awe when at the end of the month we had a monk approach us and exclaim, “I have questions about your God.” Here we were just showing up and he knew he had a safe place to ask questions and to explore his curiosity. What a neat example it was to wear Jesus’ skin and see what difference it can make.
6. “Chiang Mai FC, FC Chiang Mai.” Shouting with many Thai people for their soccer team is quite the experience. It was after a short conversation with our friend Day, discovering he was a Christian, that led us to being able to go to a soccer game with him. The cheering and drumming were thrilling but praying with Day was refreshing!
7. On one of our last days in Thailand we got to set off paper lanterns as a squad. Through the night we shared things we were going to let go of, and prayed as teams. The lantern festival is typically a way for Buddhist to send off their sins. And here we were in the same place being able to recognize the hope that God has already brought and how He has the power and desire to restore us.
8. In Vietnam we got invited to visit craft hour at a street school. The kids were so cute decorating their paper people craft. We got to witness what materials and atmosphere the teacher is confined to. And I stood in gratitude for what all I have been offered as I’ve sat in a classroom.
9. God lined up so many meetings for us while experiencing Unsung Hero Month. He is incredible at being a divine secretary. Our meeting with Albert was extraordinary as he invited us into his home and told his testimony of how he ended up as a pastor. He demonstrated the power of story when we let God write it chapter by chapter.
10. Moto rides with my Starbucks’ barista friend were fun to say the least. Riding the streets of her district and experiencing a tad of her life was eye opening. Her hospitality and way of serving us was unreal. I enjoyed each ride and was encouraged by hearing how she cares for others and constantly puts their needs before her own.
11. God’s Kingdom is alive and real. Despite the country being ‘closed,’ I saw how it has nothing on God’s power and desire to grow His kingdom. It was incredible to see how His word is alive and tangible. It was a powerful example that He has no restraints and His live is everywhere despite expectations.
Asia was good to me. I saw God’s Kingdom at large. I saw how trust can be built despite foreign differences. I saw God’s beauty through their traditions and habits. I got to build incredible relationships with foreigners, with my teammates and squad mates. And I got to begin this WorldRace journey.
Now is the time to begin the African experience! We have arrived to our host in Uganda and I’m anxious to see what God had in store for December!
