So I’ve been back in Thailand for about a week and a half.
When I got here, I honestly was not the most thrilled. As y’all know, I LOVED ministry in myanmar. I made so many sweet friends and I felt like I was actually doing something and making an impact. Thailand was not like that, and I didn’t expect anything different coming back for round 2.
When I left Thailand in January, I left pretty frustrated. Honestly, it was the worst month of my race. I felt like I was literally a teacher, like that was my job and that’s all, I’m not a missionary, I’m not making an impact here, I don’t talk about Jesus ever, all I do is teach Thai kids how to pronounce English words. I didn’t feel like I had any vision for what ministry was supposed to look like, how to show people Jesus, any of that, so I was just really frustrated.
Enter Thailand round 2.
I come back into the same place but this time with a new team and with new experience. The second night we were here, before we even started ministry, our TL tells me that we’re supposed to vision cast for this month.
Last month what that looked like was vision casting for our team, which was what we needed then. This month what that looked like was vision casting for our ministry.
What the Lord gave every single one of us was visions of fruit, of harvest, and of kingdom come.
With frustration and a doubt filled heart, I went to worship and ask the Lord what He had to say about this month. About this place. About these students, these teachers.
As I looked out over the school, over the city, I heard the Father say “these are my people”.
Wait. What? Are you sure?
This is a Buddhist country. A Buddhist city. A Buddhist school. There are spirit houses and temples everywhere you look. There is a statue of Buddha in the middle of the campus. Students leave cokes and snacks and money at his feet. Every morning after paying respect to the Thai anthem they bow and say prayers to Buddha.
Are you sure these are your people?
And as “God of This City” by Chris Tomlin came on my worship playlist, I heard a resounding yes.
I was flooded with a peace and a confidence that I can’t explain. In that moment I knew it was true. It doesn’t matter how many people are Buddhist or Christian. It doesn’t matter if they know it or believe it or not. God is here. He is the God of this city. He is the King of these people. They are His kids and He loves them. His heart is here and they will be His people.
I believe with all my heart that that’s true. Fang is God’s city. Thailand is God’s country. And I’m humbled as heck to be a part of how the Holy Spirit is moving here.
Here’s to month 6 of the World Race and month a hundred billion of the Fathers unending love, even in a Buddhist country. And here’s to believing it won’t always be a Buddhist country.
All my love,
Alley
