Everything is smaller in Asia.
The people are smaller. (For the most part…)
The clothes are smaller. (I have yet to find a cute outfit that is big enough to fit me.)
The cars are smaller. (Unlike Georgia, there's no competition to see who has the biggest truck.)
The snacks are smaller. (For example, the gummy bears aren't just gummy bears….they're baby gummy bears.)
…and my expectations to be used by God in Asia were smaller, until recently.
Although I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel, Asia has remained unknown to me. When I first contemplated joining The World Race, I skimmed the little summaries of each Asian country, shifting my attention and my heart to Latin America and Africa. In my mind, Asia was going to be a little pit-stop between my travels through Central America and Eastern Africa; A tiny, little, four-month long pit-stop.
The idea of the unknown frightened me. During our travel days around the globe, I intentionally avoided thinking about the next four months, because I had not even the slightest clue as to what Asia would be like. I dwelled on my past three months in Central America, selfishly wishing that, by some miracle of God, there would be a last-minute route change to Costa Rica instead of Thailand.
Needless to say, my desperate wishes did not convince God to change His plans.
When we arrived in Phetchabun, Thailand, I successfully masked my fears with a smile and settled into my “home” for the month. As my teammates and I quickly began our ministry of sharing Christ’s love with the students of Phetchabun Rajabhat University, God quickly began to change my heart for Asia. I fell in love with the English students at the University, despite the apparent language barrier. (I caught myself accidently speaking Spanish a few times, out of habit…oops.) Our contact, Mae, is incredible and her enthusiasm for her students to know Jesus overflowed into my heart. It soon became clear to me that God desires to use me in mighty MIGHTY ways over these next four months in Asia. It amazes me that I was willing to settle for so little while serving such a big God.
…So much for a quick pit-stop.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Hanging out with Nate and Meow, (Yes, those are their names) two of the English students I have gotten close to during our time in Thailand.
Sharing God's love with our amazing contact, Mae!
