I always think that I will become accustomed to leaving places. I assume that I will never be able to love a place the way I loved El Salvador, so my goodbyes will be painless. I amaze myself with my ability to be ignorantly incorrect. Once again, with my heart constricted and aching, I waved goodbye to Wongen, my ministry, and my new friends.
In the short time that I spent at Wongen in Thailand, I did some pretty amazing things.
I was reunited with Shawna, my teammate who had to go home with some health issues through Nicaragua and the Philippines. We are finally a team of 7 once again!
Celebrated New Years Eve with floating lanterns.
Rode an elephant.
Admired the Lord's work at a waterfall with my beautiful team.
Frequented a bar where I formed and cultivated relationships with some girls and ladyboys, taught English, listened to their stories, drank some coca cola, loved without ulterior motives.
Went to a Buddhist temple.
Had lunch at CMU, the campus near the coffee shop where I met Wawa, Moss, and Chollie.
Spent tons of time with my new friends. Hung out, had real talk, laughed at a culturally inapropriate decibel, and spent a lot of time acting crazy!
Tutored a beautiful second year student in English.
Became friends with my tutee, Dia, and spent a lot of giggly time playing games with her.
Cheered on Moss as he sang fabulously at Open Mic night.
Received beautiful handmade earrings from Chollie after she played a private concert for us.
Got purple tinsel and temporary hair dye with Wawa.
Shared testimonies, played games, laughed and bonded with an awesome YWAM team from the states.
Spent 14 hours one day making sure that THE LICE ARE GONE!!!
Celebrated the gift of sun and tiny bananas on the beach with my team leader
This month has been amazing. Like with my family in El Salvador, I long to be reunited with my Thailand friends someday. My hope is that we will meet again in the future, and that when we do, their hearts will be as open to receiving the love of the Lord as they were to receiving our love. As I move on to Malaysia in February, I will continue to think and pray for Thailand and the amazing people that I met there.
Shon rok kun. I love you, Thailand.
