Hi friends, I am in Thailand! Im blogging to ya from a Thai Coffee shop that is located directly beneath the hostel my team and I are staying in. I have updates for yall! And already have a few vulnerable confessions that that I need to get out there! So lets go!!!
I have only been in Thailand for one day and I already love it! I have received so many “Jesus Hugs” since I have began this journey of World Race Gap Year (JESUS HUGS are what I call the instances that Jesus gives you a little encouragement through something you see or an event that takes place that completely brightens your mood and reminds you of how intentional our Father is in showing us His goodness).
God has really shown up for me a lot and has been growing me through the Book of Joshua! Before it was time for me to launch on my race, everyyyyyyone seemed to be talking about this book and so I decided that when I get to Thailand I would begin my own study of Joshua. It wasn’t until we had 7 hours in the Tennessee airport that I decided I will go ahead and start it. Knowing I had three full days of traveling until we arrive in Thailand, I figured it could keep my mind occupied.
My jaw dropped as I read the first chapter. God was speaking to Joshua, the new leader appointed by God after Moses had died and encouraging him to be strong and courageous as he gets ready to cross the Jordan River into the land that God has for him and his people. THREE days time until they would arrive in the new land, okay? God promised that He would be with him and would give him and his people victory, for the Lords sake! This sparked my interest and got me a little fired up! I wish y’all could picture me on the airport floor with my worship music jamming pumping my fist in the air in pre-celebration for what God will do through my squad and I in this new land! in verse 13, (Joshua 1:13) it spoke about how in this new land, God will give Joshua rest. Oh course I skipped right over this part due to the fact that I was just a little preoccupied with the idea that God is one who does incredible things in peoples lives and I am r e a d y to see God show up in Chiang Mai, Thailand already and I haven’t even shown up there yet, myself.
After various types of transformation and 3 days time, (which with the time change basically felt like a never ending Monday) we arrived to our hostel last night at 12:30pm. My body was worn! My back ached and my throat felt something terrible, not to mention my hair felt GROSS, I fell asleep fully clothed and with my backpack sitting beside me on my bunk. When I woke up this morning I felt like all 6 different forms of transportations I was on just hours before had taken turns running over me. I was upset and desperately wanting to push through and go begin this new journey of building relationships with locals and having that victory through Jesus I read about in Joshua. When leadership announced that today is a rest day and we will begin ministry orientation tomorrow, I should have been incredibly relieved and extremely grateful considering the fact that my knees shook just walking to the bathroom, but instead my heart dropped. And I couldn’t help but do a sad chuckle when they announced that there is in fact wifi and the password for the Wifi in this particular hostel is: RestWell
‘I didn’t come all this way to rest!’ I thought to myself. ‘I didn’t fundraise and quite my college classes to hang out in a coffee shop in Thailand and take naps.’ These are real thoughts that were entering my mind. A strange guilt and disappointment consumed me and added to my already-in-pain body.
I tried to take a nap today but my mind kept going back to the experience I had at breakfast this morning when, as I was eating my chicken in biscuit, I saw a man go up to a nearby Spirit House and give his sacrifice and attempt to please his god. ‘Goodness, I so desperately want to share the incredible gift of JESUS with this people, like right now! But I cannot even climb down from this bunk because of my own exhaustion.’
I decided to come to this little coffee shop and do my quiet time with Jesus in hopes that it would revive my bones and encourage my spirit. Before I began to start Joshua 7, I went back and reread Joshua 1. Thats when I noticed verse 13. I hadn’t even bothered to think about THAT promise that God promised Joshua in this land. REST. Oh boy.
If I am going to grow my relationship with God and be a light to the people of Chaing Mai, I think I better rest. MY GOD IS THE ONE WHO PROVIDES REST. It is not a bad thing. Its a gift.
So yeah.
Today, I rested. I ordered my first Thai Tea in Thailand, I sat with God. I bought shampoo. I even took a nap. I am sooooo excited to start ministry Monday morning, but as of right now I am learning what it looks like to remember all of Gods promises to us, not just the “exciting” ones.
That is my update. I am so thankful for all the people who have been praying over my health and for the people here to be receptive of the Gospel. I am expectant of God to do incredible things in HIS timing.
