Welcome to Chiang Mai, Thailand. It took a few days to get here, but we arrived safety. Greeted by an unrealistic percentage of humidity, and sweat that never seems to dry, all I have to say is I love it here.
To give you a little detail as to what a travel day on the world race looks like, and how we got here.. It started Tuesday April 2nd in Honduras at 7 am as we left our debrief location and traveled to the airport. We flew from Honduras to Miami, Florida and Miami, Florida to Los Angles, California. We arrived in California around midnight, dragging our 50 pound packs and day packs onto a local shuttle, we were able to enjoy a few hours of sleep at a hotel (thanks dad and mom), run a few loads of much needed laundry, take hot showers, and enjoy a gourmet (american) breakfast all before 9 am, when we met back with the squad for the next days of travel.
We left Los Angles, California on Wednesday April 3 and flew something like 16 hours across the ocean to Beijing, China where we had the privilege of getting our passports stamped and eating Pizza Hut pizza before stepping onto our next 6 hour flight to Bangkok, Thailand. We arrived in Bangkok around midnight. (Somewhere in the midst of airspace and travel we had lost an entire day.) In Bangkok we were taken to a bus station, where we raided the Seven Eleven, had the opportunity to change our clothes and brush our teeth, use the wifi to post ridiculous travel day photos on Facebook, and even catch a little bit of sleep. Around 6 am we caught a bus out of Bangkok and made the 8 hour trip to Chiang Mia, Thailand.
After getting settled into our housing, which is in the center of the red light district, we were taken to the Zion Cafe, where we met our Contact for this month and sister in Christ, Emmi. From the moment I first saw her huge smile and observed her extravagantly bubbly personality I felt like I belonged. Not sure what this month would entail, I was thrilled to have the privilege to work with Emmi. Her love for Jesus just overflowed from her and onto everyone who encountered her, whether through a conversation or a smile from across the room. The love of Christ simply embraces everything this woman does.
We spent 2 days in orientation with Emmi, hearing her story, listening to her heart and burden for her nation. Understanding the three dynamics of her ministry Light House in Action, and learning some of the culture norms and some of the things that are well, simply put No-No's. Things like pointing, or touching someone else's head, or crossing your legs (like a lady) while sitting on a chair. We learned some back ground information on Buddhism and the fact that there are over 200 Buddhist temples in this city alone.
Emmi challenged us to ask God for his heart for the Thai people, and to also ask God for one person this month that we may impact with the gospel and good news and hope of Jesus. To not be overwhelmed by the fact that there are 65 million Thai people and the fact that only 1.5 percent are christian (and this is including Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses) but to simply be passionately intent about finding our "one" and pouring in and investing into that life with Jesus.
The Lord has given Emmi an amazing ministry here in Thailand, it is complex with three different facets or components to it. My team is going to be participating with two dynamics of it this month (Love acts and Wongeneration), while some other members of our squad will be working with the other component. My team is going to working at Zion Cafe (formerly known as wongeneration cafe) I would love for you to further check out Emmi's ministry and some of what we are doing this month by going to www.lighthouseinaction.org.
It is going to be a great month here! I cant wait to post more about what we are doing ministry wise specifically, to tell you about how God is using specific gifts and abilities and past experiences of mine to minister here this month, and to introduce you to my "one" so you can be praying for her! Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.
Though there are days I miss home, walking in obedience to Jesus is far greater then any comfort of home.
