U- Unique:Unsung Hero Month is a very unique experience.
N-Newsong Church: The first week here Alicia found a Bible Study through Facebook at Newsong Church in Bangkok. The Bible study consisted of 30 people, mainly American women. We had a really nice time and were thankful for their hospitality but did not think of them as a possible contact for AIM (Adventures in Missions). A week later I found a website for Chonburi Center-Global Christian Welfare Foundation. I contacted them and through e-mail made an appointment to get together in Bangkok at the end of the month. A few days before our meeting, the main contact asked if he could invite his friends. Of course, the more the merrier! On Wednesday we met with Paul, Dwight, Sofia and Yo; all members of Newsong Church. They all have their own ministries and all really could use volunteers. Their ministries are working in the red light district, working with the street kids, working in the slums, leading Bible studies, teaching cooking classes, and working with Paul’s parents at the Chonburi Center. I really enjoyed hearing their stories and am really excited for AIM to be able to partner with them.
S-Success: I feel that our team made the most of this opportunity. We had many great discussions on spiritual gifts and spiritual disciplines. We spent a lot of time in prayer. We met amazing men and women. We were able to find at least 10 organizations for AIM to partner with, and we were able to really enjoy Thailand and each other.
U-Useful: One day we made ourselves useful at the hostel. We asked the owner if there was anything we could do to be helpful around the hostel. He got really excited and kept saying, “Are you sure?” Yes! We want to help! So we painted a map on the wall of the town of Phuket. I drew a few icons on the wall that were erased by the workers. Ironically, my one drawing that did not get erased and was painted, was the local buddhist temple.
N-Names: I love Thai names. This month we met two Mems, Yo, Boy, Aui, and others that I did not see written, so I am not quite sure how to write them. I love languages and have enjoyed learning a few phrases. One of my favorite experiences this month was singing before the Thai Bible studies in English while the rest of the group sang the same song in Thai. One night at the women’s Bible study we sang the hymns Standing on the Promises and How Great Thou Art. It was so beautiful hearing the Thai female voices singing two of my favorite hymns.
G-Gary: My friend Megan from home put me in touch with missionaries that she supports. Danielle and I met Gary, Mem and Bob out one night for dinner. Gary and Mem work at the Christian International School in Chiang Rai. We had such a nice dinner sharing what God is doing in our lives and in Thailand. Gary is from Rock Island, Illinois. We enjoyed talking about Illinois and our mutual friends. It really is a small world. I loved Unsung Hero Month for this very reason. I love connections, and I love hearing about what God is doing around the world.
My friend Isabella made this video and she did such an amazing job capturing what our month was like. Enjoy! We are off to Cambodia in the morning!
