One
thing that I have realized this month is that ministry has just become real
life.
I
don’t really have to think about what I’m doing, I just do it.
I
have been working four hours a day about four days a week in the coffee shop.
Here I am in the coffee shop representing our team name “Victoriously Smiling Pandas.”
I
have spent time tutoring students from Chiang Mai University one-on-one.
One
student I have gotten particularly close with is Kung.
She
is in her fifth year in University.
Throughout
the course of 3 weeks I have been able to help her with her English, have lunch
conversations with her, and laugh a ton!
She
has blessed me more than I could ever have blessed her.
Her and I are above in the picture below, and my teammate Lauren is pictured below with Kung’s boyfriend, Ji.
Another
student I have been tutoring during the last week is Pat.
Pat
is a 40 year old scientist studying for his PHD at CMU.
Two
of the girls on my team tried tutoring him, but they could not understand him.
They
had stated he had a “lisp.”
Then,
I was placed to tutor him.
I
knew about how tutoring went between him and my other two teammates so I prayed
for supernatural understanding and patience with him.
Within
minutes of our first tutoring session we were cracking up laughing.
Soon,
I was able to work with him on his pronunciation of words.
I
was the FIRST person in his life to ever work on pronunciation with him; he had
been studying English his entire life!
He
didn’t have a lisp at all, he just needed to learn how to pronounce words.
We
spent a lot of time going over “Cheesecake, Chocolate, Church, Chalk,” Versus
what he would say before of, “Sheesecake, Shocolate, Shursh, and Shalk.”
I’ve joked around with my team
that the Lord has given me supernatural discernment with being able to
understand Asians.
But, I am totally serious when I
say that.
This
month I have had a special relationship with our ministry contact, Emmi.
Her
and I constantly joke around with each other, at Thai people shower generally
two times a day, at morning and at night.
Every
day that I see her she asks me, “You shower?”
Most
of the time my response would be “No.”
Haha.
Once
you get this far in the race, showering just happens when it happens (for me at
least).
I’ve
loved being able to hear Emmi’s heart behind this ministry and hearing her
story of reconciliation through Christ.
Here is Emmi (left seated), Kayla (to the right), and me (above).
During
our time in Chiang Mai, our squad has been split up into men and women.
Two
groups of ladies are here in Chiang Mai and the rest of them are in Phuket.
I
have been placed with 8 other women throughout the month, some of which I have
been on a team with before, some I have not.
God
had each of us here to encourage and uplift each other throughout this month.
It
has been awesome getting to know these ladies better.
It
has been awesome to hear their hearts for ministry and their passion for the
Lord.
God
has challenged and stretched me this month to love them.
Whether
it’s been spending time with an old teammate sharing stories on the beanbags…
Or
if it was a trip to the market down the street to get bubble tea…
Or
if it was just crowded around a laptop watching a YouTube video…
God has given me ability to love
these ladies right where they are.
This month ministry hasn’t really felt like ministry, it has really just become real life.
It has very well been ministry, but it just seems to be more of living life with people, building relationships, and loving others.
God has shown me a different side of ministry this month through this ministry.
One
of the places we would have team time and hang out on our off days was the
comfiest couch ever.
After
our first month of not having any furniture, you appreciate every piece you
see.
This
couch has been an awesome place of fellowship for us.
BUT
There
has been a gift going around that just keeps on giving.
Lice.
Our
team has officially steered clear of the couch and done head checks pretty much
daily.
As
of now, we are lice free!!
Don’t
worry mom, I never had it!
Ministry
is officially over here in Chiang Mai.
We
have had a final goodbye Christmas party on Thailand’s Christmas Day 12/22/12.
Tomorrow
we will say our final goodbyes.
Get
on a bus at 3 pm on Christmas Eve.
Ride
for 24 hours on said bus.
Then
get off in Phuket, Thailand.
At
around 3 pm Christmas day.
Not
your typical Christmas day.
It’s
to be expected on The World Race…
Another
holiday looking a little different.
The
day after Christmas will be spent on the beach with a G-squad reunion.
I
can guarantee you it will for sure be a party!
I’m
super thankful for each of you reading this blog.
For
following, praying, and joining me on this journey for the last 6 months.
I
have five more months to go.
I’m
sad to admit it, but my bank account shows for the amount of traveling I have
done.
It
is slowly but surely dwindling down.
I
have posted a request for personal funds on Facebook and received about $50.
Thank you to those that have
already given!
Funds
to go towards transportation, toiletries, food for travel days, etc.
God
has been telling me for several months to not worry about the number in my bank
account because He is going to provide the funds.
If you would like
to give a special Christmas gift to me, click here.
Thank
you for your prayers, love and support!
I’ll
be in Phuket for a couple days of rest before we head to Malaysia for our 6
month debrief!
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!!!
