Thailand was our very last month in Asia, and as we would soon find out, our last month on the race. This month was very different for my team and I. We had a host once again. But not only that, we were living on a huge property and were also able to cook for ourselves, something we hadn’t done in all of Asia. Our amazing hosts ministry includes having various groups and teams live on site and put on different camps for them. We had the privilege this month to help work on the property.
When we arrived we found out that a group of Gap Year men were also staying on the property for a couple more days before heading to their next country. We had such a great time with them over the course of those few days. We got to exchange stories, give each other advice, have an awesome worship session, and enjoy meals together. They were some amazing men and definitely helped to start our month off with a bang.
Once the Gap Year team left, we got down to business. We helped to paint structures around the property. We painted bathrooms, kitchens, poles, and so much more. I absolutely love to paint so this was right up my ally. After all the painting was done we started to do some field work. Now manual labor was not our favorite thing to do. But each day we gave it our all working in the 103 degree heat. We got our shovels and hoes and started to dig up the field.
Around the beginning of the month God told me something crazy He wanted me to do. I was about to start my monthly devotional about hearing from the Lord when He told me He didn’t want me to talk for the rest of our time at our hosts in Thailand. I really didn’t want to do this as it was our last month as a team and, to be honest, I love to talk. But, after reading my devotional and praying about it I decided to give it a go.
I learned a lot during my time not talking. But one of the biggest things I learned was the importance of listening. Not only listening to the Lord but others as well. I didn’t always have to be the one to give my opinion or insert a funny, witty joke to lighten the mood. Sometimes taking a step back and really listening to what God and the people around me have to say, allowed me to grow closer to them.
I’m not gonna lie, not talking was definitely one of the hardest things about this month. And I for sure slipped a few times. But little did I know that I would need everything the Lord had taught me this month to prepare for the way that it was going to end. As we were getting ready to head to South America, our plans got interrupted very quickly. We were quickly sent back home from the mission field. It was all a whirlwind that, frankly, i’m still trying to understand.
I want to update you all about what it looks like coming home, my future plans, and everything else I can. In the next week I hope to get a Q&A blog out there for you all. But for now I still am taking some time to process. I love you all and am so grateful and appreciative of your constant support. God bless and stay safe 🙂
