The world is so small. Right next to our hostel is a random slightly getto mall, and on the top floor they have very cheap delicious Thai food that more locals go to. With a five dollar food budget, you have to find these cheap places. Our first week in Thailand, we went to lunch there, because our ministry was in the city doing prayer walks, monk chats, and other various things. While we were eating, Brooke’s middle school math teacher and lacrosse coach, which she was super close to, comes up to us with her husband. It was the sweetest reunion between Brooke and her middle school teacher, Maddie. We all were just in awe with how random and crazy it was that out of all the places…. in Thailand, at the top floor of a random mall… which isn’t popular at all…… we see them there!! How wild and ordained.
Fast forward to February 6, 2020, they invited us over to their house for A HOME COOKED MEAL. MAGICAL IS WHAT THEY ARE. Time did not exist at this meal. No conversation was surface level. They asked us questions and genuinely wanted to hear the answer and learn more about each of us. We laughed hard, and digged deep into talks about the world that most people are too scared to have. If I could think of any way to describe Maddie and Trey, I would say “well balanced with the Lord as their fulcrum”. Six hours go by of full and meaningful conversation, its suddenly 11:30pm and no one knew because no one looked at the clock.
Just when we already think they are the coolest people to walk planet earth. The Application Trail gets brought up, and they mention how before coming to Thailand, they hiked the whole. entire. thing. That is insane. I don’t know if you know anything about the Application Trail ,but that is extremely difficult. It’s not a walk in the park. Not unless your park is 2,184 miles long. Apparently only 15% of the people that start the trail actually finish. You’re in the woods. Walking day in and day out. It’s all an extreme mental game. They were telling us about the culture of the trail, and how everyone interacts with each other. Trail families form with people who are also hiking it even though you hike at different paces. Everyone looks out for everyone on the trail. The surrounding towns are always on deck and ready to help out anyone with anything they need whether that be a shower, place to stay, laundry, message, anything. Also just how trusting everyone is. The way they were describing it, strangers don’t seem to exist on this trail.
They were telling us all about the lingo used on the trail , and one of the terms were “trail angels” These are people who set up at places were the trail reaches a road or civilization, and they grill burgers or offer up any type of food or need to the hikers passing by. Solely just to help and encourage the tired sore hikers on their 20,000th step of the day. A quote commonly said on the trail for encouragement is “ the last to finish wins.” This is talking about how the trail is not a race. It is not a competition on who can do it the best or be the most put together. Everyone helps everyone out. If someone’s tent breaks everyone figures out a solution together. If someone needs something you help them out. It is not every man for themself. The goal for everyone is just to finish, and people will do anything to help you make that happen. Maddie and Trey were my teams trail angels. They blessed us with a beautiful meal. They encouraged and empowered us. They brought us together in ways we did not even realize we needed. All with just a simple meal. Everyone is on a journey in life, and we all need some trail angels. I encourage you to be one today.
