When I moved to Mae Sot last September, I had some romantic, expectation filled mind set. I remember thinking; “oh I will have more than enough time to take and edit photos, to do more writing, to skype people, to explore the creation around, to dip into creative projects, to do this and that. Looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at those lofty thoughts. Expectations should be a bad word at times!
Team OutPour: Monday morning prayer rides to border of Thailand/Burma
My life in Mae Sot is quite the contrary to what I could have ever imagined or planned out for myself. By the end of the day, I wonder where it went. I am quite busy, but a good busy. We, OutPour staff, are all busy laying solid foundations for the future. Within the span of one year, the OutPour staff has grown from one person, outside of the Ward family, to around eleven people. Let’s not forget all the incredible new sub-ministries too. With that comes different roles to be filled from Creative Arts Director to Director of Burma Outreach to Refuge Children’s Home Director.
OutPour Staff meeting
I have to remind myself every so often that it is still the beginning of this incredible journey for OutPour Movement. Because of that growing pains tend to find their way in. The growing pains of communication, attempting to live out selflessness, trial and error, ministries, people coming and going, schedules, flat tires, not having transportation for ministry. At times it seems like one tooth is coming in quicker than the other and arms are growing faster than the legs. It can be painful, but months from now, the missing tooth will be in and the arms and legs will be on the same page. The pains will shift, but the foundation will be solid. It is a beautiful thing. Really.
Caving with a remarkable team from Colorado
I am honored to be a part of the cement pouring, foundation laying, of walking through those aches and pains. Honored to have the role of Director of Operations and Team Coordinator where I can connect people with their passions, supporting them in their dreams. By no means do I have these roles down, but I know they are preparing me for my future ministry whatever that may be. I am learning the ins and outs of starting things up. It really is a sweet time in my life. There are hard times, but isn’t that life?
If you would like to know more about OutPour Movement before I get to it in future blogs, please check us out at http://www.outpourmovement.com. Lots of love!
***photos taken by Michael Perez and Ray Ward
