Month five of the World Race has been no less interesting than the months before it. With a week to go on month four, we weren’t even sure where we would be going. It was only as the days wound down that He revealed to us that we needed to head to La//os. Those that know me know that I like to do research and know what I am getting myself into. Although I’ve done a lot of research on Southeast Asia, I knew almost nothing about La//os. I guess He wanted me to go into this month completely dependent on Him.
The capital, which is where we’ve spent all of our time, is only a few kilometers from the Thai border. It’s kind of sad that we didn’t get to see the countryside at all, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. The city we’re in is rather quiet and peaceful, with just a little over 500,000 inhabitents. There aren’t many notable sights, and it doesn’t take long to walk around the city. Not a place I would want to spend more than a few days, but He knew what we needed.
La//os is, simply put, a very laid back place to be. People never seem to be in a hurry to get where they are going. It can be a relaxing calm from the rest of Southeast Asia. A tuk tuk will take you anywhere for 8500 kip (a dollar), and street vendors sell sticky rice for a measly 2000. The streets are clean and the air is relatively pure.
He wanted to use this month to prepare us as a team for what’s to come. He wanted to make sure we were ready to head into Africa and face whatever challenges will be in our way. It’s been a real struggle for me just to be obedient and listen, but this is a good thing to learn this month. As the Race continues on, and we find ourselves with no clear direction more and more, hearing HIs voice will be the only thing that can keep us going. I’ve learned a lot more about patience and about taking a back seat and just being a servant. None of this has been easy, but He’s made a lot of things clear to me.
I am also happy to say that I’ve grown closer to my team this month, and to my wife as well. Since we’ve been in such close quarters this month, we’ve had no choice! I do love these guys and I hope I get to serve the rest of the year with them.
Finances are still a concern, but He is pointing the way, so all we can do is move forward, to Africa. The rest is in His hands.
