I look at my desktop and see not one, not two, but THREE unfinished blog posts I intended to write and share with y’all. It’s been over a month since my last post… I’m sorry, okay? It has been a while since I’ve allowed myself time to sit down and share life with you. Get ready, it’s about time I spill the tea!
Month 4 of the race was challenging in many ways. It required taking bold steps of faith and placing complete dependence upon the Father. When it was difficult to have courage to preach before everyone, He provided peace and gave me the words to speak. When leading worship multiple times a day became tiring, He provided rest and a zeal to continue. When teaching English wasn’t as structured as I hoped it to be, He helped me to see beauty in the time we had pouring into the students, even if the teaching wasn’t always effective. Or… when my bucket shower was a bit colder than usual, He helped me carry a more positive attitude (cold shower = natural energy boost?).
My team did ministry alongside team Radiate (Lighthouse+Radiate=Radhouse). It was in this time I discovered more of what it looks like to be a Man of God and how to treat Woman the way Christ sees them. This month painted a beautiful picture of Christ-centered community between men and women with no other motives than to serve and love each other, God, and the people around us. Beautiful life-long friendships were formed as a result, lives were changed, and memories were created that I will always cherish.
This is also where we celebrated my birthday. You heard that right. I’m nineteen! My birthday was celebrated with hotpot, cake (of course), and a day to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a gym in town. The men on my team did such a great job loving me well, going above and beyond to ensure it was a memorable day.
Christmas and New Year’s was celebrated with the college students and children on campus. We caroled for hours, exchanged gifts (thanks Syd for the French press!), worshiped, performed in an improv talent show, and ate some good Thai food.
After that month, my entire squad came together in Chiang Mai to celebrate and process the first half of the race. We call this “Mid-Point Debrief”. This is a time that our leadership sets up for us to process what we’ve experienced so far. Our coaches and mentors fly out to hang with us and pour into our lives. This time was exactly what was needed to process the first half of the race and prepare for the coming season. A lot happened during that week apart from the crazy tiger, tattoo, and elephant photos you might have seen on Instagram (go check them out if you haven’t already, you won’t be disappointed). One phrase that captured that week was “God Is on the move!”. My teammate Champ got baptized in a pool while the cops came thinking we were drunk. During our squad worship sessions, many strangers we’re drawn to the atmosphere created which allowed for the us to introduce Jesus to them.
My team is now living in Roi Et, Thailand. Less busy than Chiang Mai, we are surrounded by bright green rice fields and cows with big floppy ears. The men are split off from the rest of the squad for the next two months. Our ministry includes fish farming, painting, teaching English, helping with an agricultural project and other manual labor tasks.
I hope to get back into the flow of posting blogs weekly! So much happens everyday on the Race and it is my desire to share with you the story God is writing.
Until next time!
