HELLO everyone from Myanmar.
When I left Myanmar eleven and a half months ago, I had no idea I’d be back a year later. But here I am in a little town that’s actually frigidly cold. Who knew southeast Asia could actually get near freezing? We love our cute little town, our school, and our coffee shop.
The first day here I took an off day. (We just had quite the few days of travel and a debrief which means as a squad leader I was doing a lot more than normal.) I sat at this coffee shop and did all the things that fill me up while the team was at school. One of the waitresses sat down at my table and started talking with me.
We became friends fast.
We eat at the coffee shop three times a day – there’s not a lot of options to eat here. So, we get to build relationships with girls that work there. I would see my new friend every day, and sometimes she would call me after she got off work.
She ended up taking us to her church today, and (per usual on the world race) they asked one of us to share something with the church. I got to share parts of my story with them – about how the Lord has redeemed and refined so much of me and about the calling on my life for more. Afterward we drank tea and coffee and just hung out with the pastors, a lecturer at the local collage, and a deacon.
That’s what the race is about. That’s what this life is about. That’s what Jesus is about. Making friends, inviting them into your life, and sharing stories and coffee and laughter. You get organized ministry on the world race, (well most of the time) but the point is to figure out how to erase the line of ministry and life. Looking for the opportunities for connection and relationship building is my greatest joy.
It blows my mind the opportunities given to me, and I am thankful for each of them. As I sit in my room looking out on the mountains of Chin state, my whole being is full of gratitude.
I get to sit at this table full of so many good things that never run out forever.
Thanks God that we are only halfway done with this one.
