As my time is Asia is coming to a close, I want to take some time and update you on what has been happening over the past 4 months.
I have to start by saying I apologize for not being more diligent on updating my blog weekly. There are so many ideas happening in my head that I get overwhelmed and don’t post anything.
Now let’s talk about Asia has it been a mix of emotions.
First stop here was Indonesia (April) my last post Kingdom Movements goes into more detail. Snippet is my team did this thing for AIM called Unsung heroes which we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to potential new host for the organization. I have to say he did!
Next we headed to Vietnam (May)! So originally I was supposed to leave for the World Race in August 2018 however I felt Papa give me permission to defer so I could get my ducks in a row. I picked the route I am currently on because I wanted to come to Vietnam. I had some amazing co-workers who would teach me Vietnamese and tell me I would love it there. With that I was like January 2019 route 1 was it for me. Little did I know was that although I was excited for Vietnam there was a change brewing and waiting for me in this country. 2 days before leaving Indonesia my Alumni Squad Leader (ASQL) took me to coffee and ask me to be a raised-up squad leader. This meant that ministry for the rest of the race would look completely different. While I would be doing ministry provided by ministry host my new ministry would be serving alongside my co-leader Debora and serving the squad. We would be with a new team each month and be the feet on the ground between leadership back home and racers on the field. Our ASQLs would be going back to the states at the end of month and we would step into the new role. I will posting about what this transition has been like but I will share this brought out a lot of insecurity that were lying dormant. So Vietnam was a month of training for this new role and honestly the training never leaves. One amazing thing that has come is Swiss Chocolate! My co-leader Debora is from Switzerland so she makes up the Swiss and me Daniella I am the only black person on the squad and I am the chocolate. Together we make-up Swiss Chocolate our differences merge together beautifully.
After training was done it was my first month into transition and I went to Cambodia (June) with the amazing team Rhodashians. I was excited to have this team as my first team to be with because I hadn’t been with anyone on this team except my sweet Megan (She’s the peach to my tea together we make up Peach Tea because we are Georgia peaches). We were in Kampot, Cambodia in a village where we had to drive 15 min to get WiFi which isn’t a big deal but was because I quickly realized how much I neglected that luxury when I had it. My phone also got damaged which was hilarious because I took a break from social media in Vietnam and was seriously thinking about turning my phone off for the month and I guess Papa was like well that’s a good idea! Away my phone went on a rainy day in Cambodia. Ministry this month was prayer walking in the mornings and teaching in the evening. There was a ton of free time which meant a lot of time with the Lord and being intentional with the amazing women on the team. Being that this was my first time in ministry I had not experienced the realities of being overweight and black in Asia but it happened in Cambodia. The Lord is so good in how he comforts his children I can say I learned more about identity. There were other triggers that occured which made it hard for leaving but I learned that even though I leave the Lord remains there. We worked with Village of Hope with an amazing host Vuthy and his associate pastor Sophea. Please be praying for this ministry because Vuthy needs support he has an amazing vision and as you know all great moves of God are birthed in prayer.
Finally we are currently in Thailand (July)! This month has been all squad month which means all 3 teams are staying together. 2 teams are doing ministry together and 1 is at a different location. I am with team Spice girls (Spicey girls is what our host called us because we love spicy food). For ministry we worked with a home that helps women and children. The women here are so beautiful inside and out. They are hard workers and have so much joy. This month was a lot of manual labor and for 2 weeks it was fine because there was overcast over this last week it was blazing hot. Thailand is a beautiful country filled with amazing people. This is actually the first month I feel like I have been myself. No walls, no doubt, just Daniella being Daniella.
Overall Asia has been a time of stretching real. Going searching for potential host to a month of training to a month of challenges to a month of stepping into freedom. Being in Asia has taught me so much and honestly it wasn’t until I sat down to type this blog that I realized it. On the race it is easy to get caught up in the constant going and me being an expert stuffer I don’t always sit and see how I am being affected. I am learning that to truly be me I have to listen to the fathers heart. To truly show his love I have recognize that it is already here we have the oppurtunity to help others see it.
I am currently $5,120 away from reaching my goal to be fully funded.
I would love to be fully funded before leaving for Africa in 2 days!
As I stated above I am a stuffer and I tend to ignore things because that is how I cope. One of our amazing coaches told us a victorious woman states her needs. This is me doing that. I need your support prayerfully and financially. IF I am not fully funded I am at risk of not being able to finish this journey. Could you consider donating $100? Consider sharing my need with a friend? Anything will help.
You can donate via
Link: Daniella’s Donation Link
Cashapp: $dmpella
Venmo: daniella-patterson
