It was about seven o’clock
in the evening last Wednesday, and we were driving through the city of Chantaburi
when the driver flipped a U-turn and pulled over onto the side of the road.
in the evening last Wednesday, and we were driving through the city of Chantaburi
when the driver flipped a U-turn and pulled over onto the side of the road.
Since this was typically the point in traveling where I didn’t need to
pay attention until someone told me what to do, I did what I could to not be
paying attention.
pay attention until someone told me what to do, I did what I could to not be
paying attention.
Meaning, I stared out the window and mostly listened to the
conversation going on around me as we waited to see what was happening next.
conversation going on around me as we waited to see what was happening next.
Needless to say, I was startled at the sound of a male voice
coming from the front of the van, speaking in perfect American English.
coming from the front of the van, speaking in perfect American English.
We got out (and get all of our stuff out of the van, as
well), and it wasn’t until I got out and was looking around that I saw the
source of the voice.
well), and it wasn’t until I got out and was looking around that I saw the
source of the voice.
Two very white American guys were helping load our stuff
into the truck that would take us to where we’d be staying for the month.
into the truck that would take us to where we’d be staying for the month.
And we thought we wouldn’t be ministering alongside guys this month beyond our contact and his church…
Their names were Nielsen and Devon.The two of them are from Pennsylvania,
and they’re on their own journey around the world, as it turns out.
and they’re on their own journey around the world, as it turns out.
Doing mostly the same kind of thing we’re doing, but just
the two of them, and in eight months, not eleven.
the two of them, and in eight months, not eleven.
They started in October, and have been through Israel,
Egypt, Uganda,
Kenya, Mozambique,
South Africa,
and India.
Egypt, Uganda,
Kenya, Mozambique,
South Africa,
and India.
This month, they’re in Thailand
(they spent last week here in Chantaburi, and now are working with a church in
Phuket), and are hoping to get to Laos
before they leave Asia.
(they spent last week here in Chantaburi, and now are working with a church in
Phuket), and are hoping to get to Laos
before they leave Asia.
After that, it’s off to Australia
and New Zealand
before going home in July.
and New Zealand
before going home in July.
After sitting and talking (or listening shamelessly in on
conversations they had with my teammates), here’s what I’ve come to surmise
about them.
conversations they had with my teammates), here’s what I’ve come to surmise
about them.
Nielsen and Devon are both extremely
driven (before they left, Devon owned and ran a thriving
contracting company… at the age of 23).
driven (before they left, Devon owned and ran a thriving
contracting company… at the age of 23).
But they both knew there was something more to life than
just the American Dream.
just the American Dream.
That rumor, that whisper of something other than what we’ve
all been told – well, they’ve heard it, too.
all been told – well, they’ve heard it, too.
So they’re out here in the world like the rest of us World
Racers, seeking the truth of those whispers and rumors.
Racers, seeking the truth of those whispers and rumors.
Keep these guys in your prayers – God’s doing crazy amazing
things in and through them, and we hope it stays that way!
things in and through them, and we hope it stays that way!
And keep up with their journey, too! http://nielsenanddevon.tumblr.com/
