We’ve been in Thailand for a little over a month.
The plan was to be in Thailand for 3 months, but The Lord has other plans in store for the OG Gap D Squad. Due to boarder and visa issues, we will be leaving Thailand at the beginning of November and finishing off our last month in Asia in Cambodia!
Wooohoo! Goodbye #3n9, Hello #4n9!
It sure is exciting to be able to have the opportunity to visit and live in another awesome country and know that I am going to be able to meet so many new beautiful faces- but I can’t help but be a sad that my time in Kanchanaburi, Thailand will be cut a month short.
When I first arrived here, I was shocked to say the least. My sleeping arrangements, new bathroom and the whole concept of living on a farm was most definitely not MY ideal. In fact, I got here and was already looking forward to leaving.
But The Lord changed my heart on that real quick.
You see, the pavilion on stilts I sleep in (complete with a pet lizard, may I add) , the squatty potties, the bucket showers, the multiple chickens running loose everywhere and the outdoor dining room filled with beetles and mosquitos are all parts of my home that I have grown to love. (Minus the chickens, I am still trying to find a place in my heart for those obnoxious things).
I live with the most incredible family that always have constant love, kindness and thought going around for us. Pii Pang and her husband, Pii Aron, have been the most gracious people. Not only are they letting 6 strange, American teenagers live with them— they have undoubtedly made us feel like we’re part of the family. Pii Pang even agreed that we were Thai!!! Both of them are such hard-working and strong people. It has been so amazing to get to know them and see just a huge heart for Jesus, their family, the teams they host and their community.
I also have to give a special shoutout to Pii Pang because she has been taking care of my stitches the last few days and I am very thankful.
We have precious Poofa (it means sky and mountains in Thai) who is the families adorable three year old daughter who wears her hair in an Elsa braid and does not let a single person touch it. I haven’t been around many three year olds, but I know this may be very well the sassiest, silliest one I have ever encountered. I have finally found someone who shares a love for Frozen as much as I do, and I am so glad she knows the words and sings her heart out with me. Poofa is extremely intelligent. She speaks both Thai and English and she often combines them in her sentences so she always has me guessing. I will miss her presence and laugher greatly— the sass? Not so much.
We also have Meh and Pa, (Pii Pang’s parents). Meh cooks for us every lunch and dinner and it is always delicious! She also joins us on our ministry adventures and with that, she always has a smile on her face! Pa isn’t able to speak much English, but I always enjoy his peaceful presence around the house and in church.
Last but not least, in our backyard and to the right in a cute little house we have Na-Noi and Lou. Na-Noi is Meh’s sister. This couple has been such a light to our team. The language barrier between us does not ever stop smiles and SO many hugs. They are constantly thinking of us and often bring us bakery treats while we’re having some team time in the church.
The community here is beautiful.
We’ve become frequent visitors to a variety of places and it is so cool to me to be able to recognize the people here and share a smile with them.
We make visits twice a week to a family down the street. Here, we hang out together and chat via translators. We worship Jesus, and share stories of how God has worked in each of our lives. They to, treat us like they have known us forever and never fail to make us feel welcome. It has been joyful every time to worship in English and worship and Thai, and know that even though we may not understand- Jesus is working in the center of it all.
I feel that in this month, I have been able to see the world in a whole different way. I am still living my life, in a different place with different norms.
I love rides in the back of a pick up truck through the mountains and waving to the families and children around the village. I love going to the market and getting pancakes on sticks and bags of fried chicken feet. I enjoy going to 7/11 with my team and clearing them out of ice cream and picking up a new Thai snacks. I love eating dinner outside with my team every night- I think I have laughed harder the last 30 nights than I ever had in my whole life.
There is an unfinished pavilion in our backyard which offers an incredible view of rolling mountains and hills. It also is home to breath taking sunrises and sunsets. The boys have nicknamed this place “The Chillzone” and frequently tan up there (that is a whole different story) but us girls have found this to be a lovely hide out with our hammocks to just listen to music, talk, and spend quiet time with The Lord.
When I got here, I never imagined I could love this place like I do now. I never thought I could miss it, or want to stay longer. But, I do. There are so many things here, big and small, that I will miss so much.
This is just a glimpse into what I experience day in and out but these are a few people, places and things that absolutely just make my heart sing.
It will be a terribly hard goodbye to say when the beginning of November rolls around, but that is just part of the race. I will do this same process 3 more times, and each time I just assume it will get harder.
Though my heart is already aching, I am thankful. I am excited. I am lucky.
I look forward to seeing what God has planned in Cambodia and beyond- and I trust that His plan is good.
