I write this after washing the dishes from my lunch that I just had consisting of Ramen Noodles and waffle chips, with water to drink. Sitting down to type at 12:41PM while it’s 11:41PM at my home. 13 hours ahead. I would now love to share with you about my first week of ministry and what that looked like and how it went.
Thailand Ministry Begins
Thursday afternoon, Nov 16, we arrived at Abba House for the first time to which this day consisted of a debriefing, meeting the kids from the compound and the children I would be teaching, and settling into to our new home for two months. And the next day would be the beginning to the ministry included in that time. So that leaves us at Day 1.
Friday, Nov 17
Friday morning began with an overview of the ministry for the month and do’s and don’t’s for the culture. We went over what our ministries would look like as well. Then after lunch, some of our team held a bible study with the local students from the compound. Then after, we had our first praise and worship time. We rotate each day who leads it and this day was the teenagers from the compound. They led the songs in English and did quite well! After praise and worship, some more of our team taught English lessons 1 on 1 to the older kids from the compound around our age. After this and a little time, we had our first English class with our students. Me and Brynley were paired with 9 students between the age of 8 and 12. They’re amazing and even though there attention span is short, we are able to teach quite a good bit to our surprise.
Saturday, Nov 18
Saturday is our one free day of the week. Saturday we got groceries and stacked up on the many things we’d need for the month as well as spent some time resting from the travel and settling in. I got a good bit of cooking ingredients and supplies as I’ll be cooking for myself this month!
Sunday, Nov 19
We had our first Church service in the morning. A couple members from our team shared their testimonies and then another member spoke on giving. Then after praying for the offering, the church service concluding and we had lunch altogether at the church. I was able to meet a Christian man who was once a monk and has now converted and comes to church regularly. It was a cool sight to see. After church, we met as a team and debriefed who would be doing the opportunities that we had laid out before us for the upcoming week. Later that day, we had opportunity to spend time with the boys from the compound playing soccer. After soccer, we had dinner, and then headed to bed.
Monday, Nov 20
Monday morning, we prepared for the messages that would be given during the week and had breakfast. Shortly after, we were taken to the University (Mae Joe University) to see where we would be going to teach, and then we were shown where the bank was, and where two pools were if we wanted to use them. We then had lunch at the Thai food court at the University. It was very good. Once lunch concluded, we headed back so that some of our team could lead the bible study that they had at 1. After this we had praise and worship again to which our team lead. Then at 3, other members from our team had their daily 1 on 1 English lessons with the older students. Then later that night, I held my daily English class with the students to which we taught them and are working with them on the alphabet.
Tuesday, Nov 21
Tuesday morning, me and Luke woke up early to head to the market with some of the staff from the compound to retrieve foods and different things needed for their week’s food and the upcoming Thanksgiving reception the church was holding. We arrived back a little after lunch and then our team had the bible study that we lead daily to which we’re walking through the parables with the older students. After, we had our daily praise and worship time with the children and then, after this, we also had the daily 1 on 1 English lessons with the older students from the compound. Later that night, I taught English and then other members of the team went to the Christian Club held at the University. This concluded the long day.
Wednesday, Nov 22
This day looked different time schedule wise but it was close to my favorite day. First thing in the morning, some of our team had their Bible study with the older children. Then the 1 on 1 English lessons with the older students as well. Then around 10:00, we had praise and worship to which me and Chris led. After this, we had some time to get ready to leave and prepare then we left to Mae Joe University for our English Club. We had lunch first at the food court then headed over to our classroom. We had an amazing turnout. First, we had a couple songs and introduction then we divided up into different classrooms. Me and 3 others taught the English majors. A lot of the heart behind this was to be able to teach English and invite the students to our Thanksgiving Event we were holding at the church to which we would be able to share the message of Christ. The University is a buddhist so religion is a topic not really allowed to be discussed. After teaching the students for about two hours, we headed back. Then after a little bit of rest time after the long day, we held a bible study with the girls from the compound that night with a song and a skit we got to perform. This concluded the day.
Thursday, Nov 23
Thursday morning, we left early for an outreach opportunity at the local Detention Center. Some of our team held games, then a skit, then a couple members shared testimonies, and then another shared a message with an altar call. It was great to see the kids get into and stay into from the games. But the best part was when the service concluded and seeing many of the inmates give their lives to Christ. I won’t forget that. We then handed out Bibles and cards to the inmates and went on our way. On our way back, we got lunch and then returned to which some of our team held their daily bible study again at 1. Shortly after, we had our daily praise and worship time to which me and Chris led again and then after was the daily 1 on 1 English lessons. Later that night we had our English class with the children to which concluded our night.
Friday, Nov 24
The big day! Most of our morning was spent preparing for the Thanksgiving reception. Our teams cooked mashed potatoes and brownies. After a lot of preparing, our Thanksgiving and outreach reception began at 5:30. A LOT of our students from Mae Joe University came. We began with eating American foods (keep in mind still Thai cooked) and then had the history of Thanksgiving shared. After this, a member of our team gave a message on Jesus and who He was, some of the students hearing this message for the first time. As the altar call was given, we saw the fruit of simply teaching English at a University as students began giving their lives to Christ across the room. It was a special day. And after many pictures were taken and some time spent cleaning up, that concluded week one of our ministry.
