Where has month 5 brought me?
Myanmar was not what I signed up for. When I applied for the Race my route was Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, and Swaziland. My squad had a route change to Myanmar instead of Malaysia, due to a lack of hosts for ministry.
We left Thailand on January 11 and took a 6 hour bus ride to Myanmars border. Then, we all hopped off the bus and carried everything we owned on our backs across the border. The walk was roughly two miles, and it wasn’t too much of a hike. 14 hours on a bus and a 45 minute taxi later, my team arrived at our hostel. Excited. Exhausted. We all swear we had jet lag, even though there is just a 30 minute time difference from our last home to Myanmar. (Yes, a 30 minute time difference… strange)
The Boulders(my team) had two days to rest before our first day of ministry. We met with our ministry host, VT Samuel, for a little adventure day to the zoo. It was the oldest zoo in Southeast Asia, and boy it looked like it. Quite an experience. Anyways, my team and I no longer live in the dark about zoos in foreign countries… yikes. Despite the traumatic zoo visit, we all stayed positive because our host was having a good time showing us around.
January 15 was our first day of ministry in Yangon. The day started at 5:30 AM with breakfast at our hostel, and then an hour bus ride to the home we teach at. We arrived at 8:00 AM. Two classes of improv English lessons later and the day was over. That night we got back home around 6:00 PM. After doing two 12 hour days of ministry we quickly realized that this month would be an exhausting one. The team and our leader agreed that in order for us to not burn out quickly, we needed shorter ministry days. VT Samuel completely understood so now we teach Tuesday- Friday 8-1, and Saturday 8-3.
My first reaction to Myanmar was “this is only one month… not even a month… my visa is only for 28 days… we can do this.” The culture is very different, and the poverty of this country is very heavy. I knew I would get tired of convincing myself to stay positive.
It only took two days with the kids I teach for my whole perspective on Myanmar to change. It has been five days of teaching English, spontaneous dance parties, and Bible stories. Every time I struggle with a new country, God reassures me I’m where I’m supposed to be by giving me rich relationships. My heart is full when I see the kids laughing while playing telephone, or when I hear them practicing their English with each other. No matter my struggle with the culture, language barriers, or the harsh comments. God has ALWAYS blessed me with a great ministry that has helped me push through the hard times. It makes the long nights of sleeping by the toilet, the exhaustion, and occasional homesick moments worth it. The stress of fundraising was worth it. The over time at work was worth it. The embarrassing idiot you become because seeing the kids laugh at your attempt to speak Spanish/Thai/Burmese is worth it. I am so unbelievably grateful for the hard times because it makes the good ones even better. Month 5 has brought me a challenge to smile even when the natives stare at you like a zoo animal. It has taken me to a sweeter place with the Lord because He asked you turn off your phone for a month. I have found deeper friendships with my team, and discovering myself in the Lord.
Maybe Myanmar isn’t so bad.
