My month in Thailand is finished. Month 8 of 11 over. This last week we've had debrief, a time where our squad came together and AIM staff flew in from the states. We had worship, teaching sessions, team debriefs, and time just to have fun together. It was a busy time with logistical work but that can be expected for a debrief! I had no team changes this time (thank goodness!) so the girls on the A-team are still going strong together.
This debrief has been focused on re-entry, to help us process what we've been through and where we're going next. These are things we've all been talking and thinking about for awhile but this has helped to understand some of what we'll be feeling and thinking about going home.
One thing that stuck out to me was how important it is to take time to process through these last several months and to start doing that here in a community setting. There are people around me who can relate to what I’ve been through and who I can share what I'm processing.
I always want to make sure I’m present in the moment and not too focused on the future. At the same time, processing through this trip is absolutely necessary at this time. Thinking about this will help solidify what the Lord has shown me and will help me walk even closer with Him these last three months.
Bill Swan, one of the staff, made this point, “How you finish one season in life is the way you start the next one."
Finishing well is important to me, just like starting well was important. Operating out of a standard of excellence is necessary now just as it was in the beginning.
I’m reminded of a verse in Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."
What will it look like for me when I finish this trip? Honestly, I’m not sure yet. I’ve had a peace about it, though, especially this week. I may not know what will happen in the future but I have a sense of peace that the Lord is guiding me and knows what will happen.
I have some ideas but I’m not gonna lie, it is kind of overwhelming trying to think about what life will be like after all this. But it is exciting to think about all the options because they are limitless. The doors are wide open right now.
Three months seems short after being gone for eight but I know that so much can still happen. I’m ready to see how the Lord is going to work in this last leg.
Tomorrow, my team will travel by train to Kedah, Malaysia.
