Hello Friends and Family! Here is my recap email from Thailand. I can’t believe it’s already month 3 of the World Race!
Month 2 of the World Race was a blessing in so many ways. It was all squad month, and we stayed at a hostel that was run by World Race alumni (in addition to running the hostel they do ministry in the city we stayed at.) They had all done the World Race before so they knew how to love us well. Our team stayed in a room of 9 girls — our whole team and three other ladies from a coed team. It created an excellent atmosphere for a good connection. I built a lot of good relationships with people on my squad this month. We also had air conditioning while we slept so I can’t complain about that!!
Our ministry last month was building a language exchange club from the ground up. We got to design curriculum, brainstorm ideas for the club and go out to promote the club. It was a change of pace from helping at a children’s home and construction month one. We spent part of our days at the coffee shop connected to the hostel we stayed at (also run by World Race Alumni). The heart behind Bella Goose (the café) is helping provide jobs for women who might otherwise be forced into prostitution. One of the girls who worked there, Hope was someone I connected with very quickly. She could love people well, and I was grateful to be on the receiving end of her love.
In addition to the language exchange ministry, we got to do specific “ask the Lord” ministry. We would set aside intentional time to ask the Lord where he would want us to go that day. One day we met a man named Joe who is a Christian and said he’d be interested in helping with our language exchange program. It was gratifying to make contacts like Joe early in the month. Our team also did one night of ministry in the red-light district. This experience was very eye-opening for me. My squadmate Sydney and I did ministry at a bar called “Easy Corner Bar.” I feel this story has too much to say through a blog, but I would love to tell you about it when I come home.
We had our adventure days on Saturday last month, and my favorite adventure was getting to interact with Elephants. My squadmate and good friend Stella and I went to Patara Elephant Farm (if you ever end up in Chiang Mai I highly recommend it!) Patara Elephant farm focuses on the rehabilitation of elephants and you could tell how the workers there had a love for the animals. Being an animal lover myself I enjoyed being there. We got to feed, bathe and play with the elephants.
Our Sundays were our set aside for Sabbath. I went to a local church called Abundant Grace with many other squad mates and alumni that worked at the Hostel. Half the service was in Thai and half was English. I loved getting to experience another thriving church across the world.
After a 14-hour train ride, we spent our last week in Thailand in Bangkok for debriefing. I loved debrief because it brought rest, challenges that made me better and the opportunity to record a Podcast! When we have debriefs, our Squad mentor (Amy) and our coaches (Mike and Charlene) fly out to meet us and help facilitate debrief.
Praise reports from the month:
– An opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving as a squad
– Access to health care! I needed a filling and had an irritated eye last month. I was grateful to have medical professionals to visit.
– Deeper connection and more intimacy with the Father
Prayer requests:
-Please continue to pray for my health and the health of my team. I have been fighting off a sinus infection/a cough the past few days. Allergies and a weird rash on my foot also have developed since being in Malaysia.
-Pray our ministry in Malaysia would be fruitful.
– Continue to prayer unity and connection over my team.
Ashley
