First of all, I was not too excited for 'Manistry month.' I like my team. I like being able to hang out with the guys. My thoughts were that all girls = all drama.
Second of all, I fell in love with the red light district, the coffee house, and the people of Chiang Mai.
Why did my team have to be the one sent to some remote village?
Because God's plans are better, that's why.
This month I live in a tiny remote village called Mai Ai.
I live with my squadmate/ sister/ newly found best friend Katie Lanting.
We share a bed, what the Lord is teaching us and a love for the Northwest.
We go on walks to get Roti and ice cream and long bike rides in the rice fields taking artistic pictures.
Katie has been such a blessing to my life and brought me so much joy.
(Another fun fact: Katie and I go to different campuses of the same church- Real Life Ministries.)
We live in a quaint house with a mom, Malee, who loves like we are her own.
Every morning she makes us breakfast, braids our hair and makes sure we are properly dressed for our activities.
She gives us fruit and laughs when we don't eat all our rice.
I have a twelve year old little brother named Pai who brings me great joy.
One night Katie and I were standing in the front yard talking with Malee before coming inside the house. Pai must have heard us because when I walked through the door Pai came rushing from the corner to scare us.
In that moment I felt more at home than I have at any other time on the Race. Pai and I have a very similar relationship to my brother back in the States, Hunter. We tease and scare each other, but still share our sweet treats and love to play Uno together.
(Picture of Pai coming soon!)
I work in rice fields sloshing around mud preparing the fields for planting.
It is dirty, muddy work and we squeal at water spiders and when weird things touch us,
but the alone time in prayer or the quality time with conversations with my teammates is so worth it!
As I continue on the Race, approaching the half way point, I am reminded once again that His plans are not only better than mine, they are the best ever.
I wasn't looking forward to Manistry month…
I didn't want to be with all girls…
but the laughter, joy and realness I have experienced this month is incredible.
I didn't want to be without my guys…
but the Lord has shown me how he takes care of me even better than they can.
From getting my 50 pound pack throw on the back of a moped and driven to my house, to a host mom who sets up our mosquito net to make sure we are protected from bugs, to the wild flowers growing all around that remind me that He loves me, this month I know who my Man is.
And when I finally got used to being with all girls, I didn't want to leave the red light district for a remote village…
but I have learned that the chirping crickets at night, star-filled sky, loving mom, roommate, and brother, authentic Thai food and limitless bike rides, is just what I needed.
But now, I am wishing that Manistry month was every month.
