This month I have the privilege of being in the Chaiyaphum province of Thailand – located in the heart of the country. It is not known for tourism but it is still beautiful here. It is peaceful, especially after spending one fun but overwhelming day in Bangkok before coming last week.
My team is staying with Raem and Nan, a young couple working for YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Thailand. They have opened up the home they share with their own two kids and four other children they have taken in. It is a little crazy at times but we are all enjoying the opportunity to share life with a native Thai family. They are loving, giving, hard-working, funny, and to top it off, their food is amazing!
[Photo of the silly younger girls]
Our ministry this month is focusing on teaching English for schools in the area by putting on English camps for students of all ages. It is a little overwhelming because we will have 100-200 students each time but it is a neat opportunity to bring the light and love of Christ to a public setting. Thailand is almost 95% Buddhist so there is a huge need for the word of Jesus to be heard. At the end of each camp we take an hour to share about the gospel through skits, Bible stories and our own testimonies.
When we are not doing English camps, our ministry is a mix of everything. Last week we had the opportunity to plant rice. Raem and Nan have rice fields and they harvested some of their own rice to give to another family to plant. It was hard, dirty work, but worth it. We have also spent several days mixing concrete by hand to help build an addition to Raem and Nan’s house. This weekend we are headed to a Thailand missionary conference in another city where our team will help with child care.
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
I am excited to be here in Thailand and to see what God has planned for me, for my team and for the ministry we are doing this month. I am thankful to be here with a loving Christian Thai family. I know God has great plans for the heart of Thailand.
