My month in Thailand has been HUGE and the Lord has done so much in me personally, so I wanted to take a bit to get it all down as best I can. There is definitely more than I can remember, but that is also why I have blogged so much. So here we go…
Let me begin by stating that I have been sitting in a building full of 50 people for one month, and we are all about to go our separate ways once we reach Cambodia. The only way I have found to get quiet time, besides getting up before everyone else, is to put in headphones, and that honestly does not make much of a difference right now. I am proud to let you know that I am representing Needtobreathe, basically my more favorite band.
This month, Team Holla-lujah has had the privilege of working with local kids in the slums and market places. After the initial shock of the living conditions, parents allowing us to freely play with their kids, and the constant dirt and grime, I began to see what a great opportunity I had in front of me this month to love on each of these children. I have loved on them through hugs, smiles, Frisbee, soccer, duck-duck-goose, the hokey pokey, songs, all kinds of weather, and allowing the Lord to completely show up each second. Being involved in kid’s ministry this month has given me the chance to pray over each of these children. My prayers have included the love of Jesus coming into their hearts, the little girls to not end up in bars, seeing their true beauty, finding their worth in Christ, and not getting caught up in the ways of this world. I have been so blessed by each child that I have encountered both in and out of ministry. What a perfect first month of ministry. Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of struggle, but it was all so great!
I just shared a blog about a girl named Orange, and now let me share with you about a ladyboy named Nat. I didn’t officially meet her until Tuesday, my last full day in Thailand. She works in the bars at night and spends most of her days resting to get ready for the next night. A few of my squadmates have been given the chance to get to know her well and even hang out with her outside of the bars. Today I was given the opportunity to experience this as well, which included going to buy her a Thai-English Bible and sharing the Gospel with her. There was a plan made and set, but the Lord yet again slapped me in the face and made His way. His way included her coming to meet us for dinner to Zion Café where my squadmate, Mary, gave her the Bible. Before sharing Mary asked if she had ever heard of Jesus, and she hadn’t, which shocks me. After giving her the Bible, she shared the Gospel with Nat and offered her the way of Jesus. Nat was very open and received our gift. I pray that this was a seed planted and the one to harvest it comes quickly.
The last few days have been mind blowing, and the Lord is beginning to move in my life in such big ways. My first step was stepping out of the “American Dream” I was pursuing and choosing to follow Jesus in intense community for the next year. The next step is beginning to live in community, which includes truth and love in feedback, no alone time, ALWAYS drinking bottled water, sharing everything, being open to what a great year is ahead of me. All of what I have been taught about God is being re-defined and shown to me in a completely new light. (Get it light!) There are many different aspects: living for today, openness to the Holy Spirit, awareness of how my words affect those around me, and allowing the Lord to make me a completely new person in Christ.
With this being said, when I return home, I will not be the same person, and this reality is already being proven. God is just so GOOD and AWESOME! I don’t really know what else to write, but if you don’t know Him as your personal Savior, you are missing out on the best way to live this life. Hit me up on here if you want to know more about me, my stories, or how to know Jesus as your Savior.
Sticker that is all around Thailand and something I believe.
